New Plymouth has been greatly increased in size by the
war; before it commenced it was httle more than a large
scattered village, but when the settlers were obliged to
abandon their farms and come in, they were compelled to
bmld, and this caused a considerable addition to the size of
the place. The number of military also contributed to its
enlargement, and good stores were erected. The country,
however, has been dreadfully injured by the desolating
efiects of war j the snug smiling homesteads disappeared,
the members of famihes became separated and dispersed ;
the females and children having been compelled to leave for
Nelson.* Since the war has become less violent some

♦ The following verses give a graphic account of the sad effects of war :

THE TAEANAKI MOTHEE'S LAMENT.
Farewell to my cottage, f areweE to my home,
'Midst strangers, and houseless, my children must roam,
The trees of the forest are burning, and fall.
Our dweUing is blazing, and we've lost oar all ;
The garden is trampled, the orchard is gone.
And once more sad pilgrims we're breadless and lone ;
where shall we wander, and where shall we lie,
For no friendly Maori now cries, haeremai.
208 GEOGEAPHT.
returned, btit many families have altogether abandoned the
place.
