Original Immigration.

According to Native tradition these Islands were first inhabited by the present race, who left their own country—one of the Polynesian Islands—on account of some national disturbance. This probably happened, between five and six hundred years ago. Several canoes are said to have sailed about the same time to seek new lands. Part of them only reached this shore, and the spot where each was finally drawn to land was taken possession of by the crew, who spread themselves from that centre over the more fertile districts, till they became a numerous tribe. In confirmation of the truth of this it is worthy of remark that each of the grand divisions into which the Natives of the Northern Island may be divided has its own characteristic dialect; and it seems probable that the term "waka" (canoe), which is also used to denote these primary divisions, has reference to this origin of the tribe.