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The Pioneer Explorers
45

coast were away and had left no food behind them. Instead of enjoying the good meal of potatoes they had looked forward to they were compelled to eat seaweed which did not agree with them. Two days later the natives returned with fresh supplies of food and all was well. Brunner rested here until June 15th, and then set out for the Arahura Pa, which was about one hundred miles further south. This pa was reached without any great difficulty, and after resting here for some time, they returned to the Taramakau, where they remained until the following spring.

It was not until October 12th that Brunner, rested and refreshed, resumed his journey. Writing on that date he states: “With a right good will I mounted my load on my back and after many shakes of the hand, and much rubbing noses, I left the Taramakau natives, and once more felt myself moving with my inclinations. I had the company of three chiefs here, Te-kau-hauke, Tipiha and Paeture and his daughter, just in my opinion a nice little party. We soon reached the Arahura and put up for the night which proved to be a rainy one.”

On the 15th they set out for Okitika (Hokitika), a river of considerable size, at the mouth of which there was formerly a large pa. Here they remained for some days, and then again proceeded south.