During the years 1883, 1884, 1885, and l886, or immediately
prior to the eruption at Tarawera, this island, and the South-Eastern portion of the mainland of Australia, were frequently shaken
by earth tremors; and as such disturbances are often
known to be associated with local changes of sea and land, it appeared to me to be of great importance to ascertain whether any recent change could be traced along the coast-line of this island.
The exception, however, is of peculiar interest, as it affords
us some information, so far as the locality is concerned, in
which this fixed tide mark occurs. The tide mark here referred
to is situated on the North side of the "Isle of the Dead,"
which lies off Point Puer, Port Arthur. This mark was cut
in the rock broad arrow form, on the 1st July, 1841, by the
then Deputy-Assistant Commissary-General, Mr. Lempriere.
The aim was to establish a permanent mark at the zero point, or general
mean level of the sea, as determined by the tidal observations
which Mr. Lempriere had conducted with perseverance and
exactness
