Beyond the repetition of certain vague second-hand rumours, however, I had until lately never met with any success. The lizard, like the taniwha, was apparently a creature of whom all had heard but none had seen, and if it had not been for the well-authenticated specimen of Waima I should have been tempted to classify it amongst the fabled monsters of imagination.

During a recent visit to Hokianga, however, in the course of a conversation with Mr. John Webster, of Opononi, the ultimate referee in all Hokianga matters, this gentleman informed me that shortly after his coming to the district, some fifty years ago, he had seen an animal which may have been one of the sought-for species. He was exploring in a rocky part of the Wairiri Creek—a tributary of the Hokianga River—when he saw what he described as a lizard about 18 in. long of a yellowish colour. While looking about for a stick or stone wherewith to despatch it the reptile slipped down into the water, and quickly disappeared amongst the boulders in the bottom of the stream. Whether it was one of the same species there is not sufficient evidence for exact proof, but we have at least the fact established of a lizard of about the required dimensions, of amphibious habits, and found in a locality connected with the Waoku Plateau by a continuous forest. In the absence of any proof to the contrary, therefore, I think it may be fairly assumed that the species are identical, and that at that period at least the animal was pretty widely distributed.

My object in presenting these very sketchy notes is the hope that the information, scanty as it is, may lead to further research. Although a road has been made over the plateau, the place is still very much in its primitive condition. Some attempt at occupation was made some ten or fifteen years ago, but though a good deal of bush was cut down no very effective settlement took place. The swampy nature of the soil, which is nothing but a thick layer of vegetable humus, and the too abundant rains, made a successful “burn” impracticable, and after some more or less futile efforts to clear the land the attempt at settlement was generally abandoned. The clearings are fast reverting to bush, and the primæval forest which still occupies the greatest part of the surface remains practically intact. If, as seems to be the case, the animal is amphibious and probably a tree-climber, these qualities should help to secure it from the ravages of the wild pig, which would otherwise have probably exterminated it before this, as they have done in the case of the tuatara wherever they have had access.

Taking all things into consideration, therefore, I think there is little doubt that a careful and intelligent search would result in the addition of an interesting species to the list of the New Zealand fauna.