394 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



Dr. Solander, and Tupaea. When they had crossed the river, 

 the boys, after some hesitation, took their leave. Cook and 

 his other companions then crossed the Waikanae at the old 

 ford, a short distance from the mouth, and strolled up the 

 right, or seaward, bank of the creek, hoping to be able to 

 shoot some ducks, four marines being directed to keep abreast 

 of them on the sandy ridge between the creek and the sea, to 

 guard against surprise. After they had advanced about a 

 mile a large body of natives was seen coming rapidly towards 

 them, whereupon they drew together, took to the beach, and 

 hurried back to the boats, the three boys joining them again 

 and claiming their protection. As soon as they had got safely 

 across the river, the natives, all armed, to the number of about 

 two hundred, followed them across the Waikanae to the point. 

 The boys, recognising the body of Te Eakau, which still lay 

 exposed on the beach, went to it, and covered it with some of the 

 clothes which had been given them. Soon after this a single 

 man, unarmed, who proved to be the uncle of Marukauiti, 

 swam over to them, bringing in his hand a green branch, 

 whicli was taken to be an emblem of peace. After making 

 him a few presents, they left him and returned to the ship, the 

 boys accompanying them. The actions of the natives were 

 closely watched from on board the ship. The man who had 

 swum across to them was seen to perform some peculiar cere- 

 monies over the .dead body of Te Eakau, which w^as afterwards 

 fetched across the river, and carried away on a litter. The 

 boys were landed again in the afternoon, and were seen to go 

 away with the main body, as they returned by the way by 

 which they had come. The Maori tradition states that 

 Ikirangi and his companions had been out fishing, and that 

 in answer to Tupaea's questions they had told him that the 

 ariki, or principal chief of the district, was Te Eatu. Tliis man 

 was cliief of the Eongowhakaata tribe, and must have possessed 

 great influence ; for afterwards, when coasting along the Bay 

 of Plenty, Cook says, " As far as we had yet coasted this 

 country, from Cape Turnagain, the people acknowledged one 

 chief, whom they called Te Eatu, and to w'hose residence they 

 pointed in a direction that we thought to be very far inland, 

 but afterwards found to be otherwise." There are no direct 

 descendants of Te Eatu now living, but the family is repre- 

 sented by the descendants of his brothers. The Maori tradi- 

 tion also mentions a red garment as having been laid upon the 

 body of Te Eakau, to which they gave the name of Te Hinu o 

 Tuhura. 



" The next morning," Cook says, "Wednesday, 11th, at 

 six o'clock, we weighed and stood away from this unfortunate 

 and inhospitable place, to which I gave the name of Poverty 

 Bay, and which by the natives is called Te Oneroa, or Long 



