10 Willis’s Guide Book of New Boute foe Tourists.

memory of Capt. Mercer, B.A., who was killed in the attack on the paat Bangiriri. On the river bank are the remains of one of the ironcladsteamers employed in the war. Tawhiao , the “ Maori King,” residedfor some years at Pukekawa, on a hill on the L. bank of the Waikato,nearly opposite Mercer. He died on August 26,1894. There is muchpretty scenery round Mercer, though the surroundings of the railwaystation are not striking. There are two steam launches, besides boats,which can be hired for excursions, one of the prettiest of which isdown river to the Heads. Between Mercer and Tuakau (10 M.) aremany “bits” which would delight artists. At the Heads (25 M.jthere is an accommodation-house, and good fishing, shells, and marinecurios may be had. The launches make excursions up-river also, toChurchill, Bangiriri, &c.

On leaving Mercer the train runs through a short tunnel, andcrosses a sluggish river, after which the country for a score of M. isswampy and often under water. The swamps abound in pukeko,paradise ducks, teal, wild ducks, &c. Much of the land alongside therailway is planted with pines, eucalypti and acacias.

56 M. Rangiriri. —Hotel—Boyal Mail. Here, at a strong pa,the Maoris , numbering about 600, made a stand, after evacuatingMeremere. General Cameron attacked Bangiriri on November 20th,1863, with 1.300 men, but was obstinately resisted till night. Beforemorning 300 Maoris cleared out, many escaping by swimming acrossthe Waikari Lake, seen from the line ; and at daylight a white flag wasseen hoisted in the pa. On the British force entering they took 185prisoners, who were sent to Kawau Island. When these prisoners gottired of staying at Kawau they escaped by swimming over to the main-land and were never re-taken. In the attack on Bangiriri pa theBritish lost 132 men, including Captain Mercer, who had been incharge of the guns. The Maori loss was about the same in number.There is good shooting at Bangiriri; pheasant, partridge, duck, &e.Visitors can hire boats and canoes at the hotel.

65 M. Huntly . —P.O., T.O., M.O. Hotel. Church—Ang.

Library.

There are five coal mines here, some onL. bank some on It. bank ofWaikato. The coal is lignite, bituminous though light, and suitableboth for steam and household use. It is largely exported by river andrailway. S. of Huntly the hills close in, and the railway passes closeto the River Waikato. It is a pretty walk to Taupiri along the bankof the river.

70 M. Taupiri. —P.O., T.O , M.O. An Ang. Mission Stationformerly stood on L bank, where remains of orchards may still be seen.Here the river bends away from the railway westward, and returns atNgaruawahia, where the railway crosses it to the L. bank.

74 M. Nga-nua-wahia.'— P.O., T.O., M.O. Hotels. Churches—Ang., B.C., Pres., Wes. Bank—N.Z. Library.

Ngaruawahia (obsolete official name Newcastle) was the residenceof the first “ Maori King,” Potatau. In the Waikato War, after thedefeat of the Maoris at Bangiriri pa, they evacuated Ngaruawahia, andGeneral Cameron advanced and made it his head-quarters, thuscommanding both the Waikato and Waipa Rivers, Both rivers are