Williams. — On Cook's Visit to Poverty Bay. 393 



acre in extent, from 4ft. to 8ft. above the level of high- 

 water mark, and immediately adjoining the spot where the 

 river was crossed on the preceding evening. A part of it may 

 still be recognised between the outer end of the block-yard 

 of the harbour- works and the base of the hill. The rock in 

 the middle of the river which the natives used as a resting- 

 place is known by the natives as Toka-a-Taiau, and, from 

 the way in which it is spoken of by Cook, would seem to have 

 stood higher at that time than it has done now for many years 

 past, and perhaps to have been awash, if not dry, at low 

 water. Till within the last few years its position was always 

 indicated at low water by the rippling of the current, but since 

 it has been partially blasted away with dynamite it has not 

 been so easy to detect it. 



Having failed, as above related, to establish any sort of 

 friendly intercourse with the people, Cook proceeded, with his 

 three boats, to examine the bay in search of fresh water, and 

 also with the design, if possible, of surprising some of the 

 natives and getting them on board his ship, that by kind 

 treatment their friendship might be secured, and that by 

 their means an amicable correspondence might be established 

 with their countrymen. Two canoes were seen coming in from 

 the sea, making apparently for the mouth of the Kopututea 

 Eiver, which was then situated much nearer the Turanganui 

 than it is now, and somewhere near where it is shown in the 

 accompanying map (PI. XXXIII.) . One of these canoes was 

 intercepted, but on the approach of the boats the crew, 

 seven in number, began the attack so vigorously with their 

 paddles, with stones, and with other weapons, that the order 

 was given to lire upon them, when fom* were, unhappily, 

 killed. The other three, who were all young lads, imme- 

 diately leaped into the water, but were soon captured and 

 taken on board the ship. Their names were Te Haurangi, 

 Ikirangi, and Marukauiti.* The kind attentions of their 

 captors soon allayed their fears, and they became very 

 sociable, asking and answering many questions with great 

 appearance of pleasure and curiosity. On the following 

 morning (Tuesday, 10th October) they were told, to their 

 great delight, that they were to be put on shore again, but it 

 was not without considerable reluctance that they consented 

 to be left at the place where the boats had landed the day 

 before. An officer and a party of men had already been sent 

 on shore to that spot to cut wood, and Cook afterwards 

 landed at the same place, with the three boys, Mr. Banks, 



* Cook writes the names thus : " Taahourange, Koikerange, and 

 Maragovette." The descendants of Ikirangi and Marukauiti still talk 

 of the intercourse which their ancestors held with " Tepaea," but the name 

 of Te Havurangi is forgotten. 



