Smith. — Captain D'Urvilles Visit to Tologa Bay. 131 



After attempting to laud, but prevented ])y the surf, the corvette 

 proceeded along the east coast past Cape Palliser, the name of which 

 (Kawakawa) is correctly given as furnished by the two Maoris, and 

 on the 1st February they were oft' Cape Topolopolo [Te Poroporo], the 

 Cape Turnagain of Cook. " At lOh. 10m. on the 3rd February we rapidly 

 passed at half a league's distance L'ile Sterile of Cook [Bare Island], of 

 which the true name is Motou-Okoura [Motu-o-Kura]. It is an escarped 

 rock, naked, and a mile or more from the land. A pa (or fortress) of some 

 size occupies the summit, and ought to be an impi'egnable position. There 

 were also to be seen several houses on the slopes of the isle, and by aid of 

 the glass we easily distinguished the inhabitants moving about their fortress, 

 and occupied in regarding attentively our passing. As at other points of 

 the coast, they had made some great fires to call our attention.. A cano6, 

 well armed, came from Motou-Okoura to meet us. It was reported to me 

 that our two Natives had uttered cries of joy on seeing it, and, charmed 

 to be able to offer them the means of escaping from their captivity, I laid 

 to. Already the canoe was but a cable-length from the side, when I 

 announced to them that they were at liberty to seize the occasion to go 

 ashore. What was my surprise to see both, at that proposition, become 

 desolate, cover their faces, and roll on the deck, with all the signs of 

 despair, declaring with energy that they desired positively to remain on 

 board. They then informed me that the people of Motou-Okoura were 

 their enemies, and that if they fell into their power they would be put to 

 death and devoured. They invited us in the most unequivocal manner 

 to fire on and kill them. The late transports of joy of our guests were only 

 proofs, as I soon learnt, of their persuasion that we should exterminate 

 the new-comers, and of their hope of a repast, which, according to their 

 ideas, would become the prize of victory." 



After passing Cape Mata-mawi [Matau-a-Maui — Cape Kidnappers of 

 Cook] the corvette sailed some six or seven miles into Hawkes Bay. Re- 

 ferring to Scinde Island, on which is now built part of the town of Napier, 

 and the adjacent country, D'Urville says, " We believed we saw an island 

 of some extent situated close to the coast, which escaped the researches of 

 Cook, but which may well be only a peninsula. There is reason to presume 

 that between it and the mainland there may be good anchorages. In the 

 south-west of Hawkey Bay we were able to see a pleasant landscape, dotted 

 with clumps of trees, and on the edges some large basins of calm water, 

 but which prol)al)ly do not oft'er sufficient depth of water for anchorages. 

 [These no doubt were parts of Te Whanga-nui-a-Rotu (Napier Harbour) 

 and the lagoons near Clive.] From three or four plains disposed in amphi- 

 theatres the ground gradually rises up to the high moimtains of the in- 

 terior ; and in all New Zealand that part is witliout doubt the richest and 

 most attractive that has been offered to my gaze. This country seems 

 well peopled, as denoted by the numerous columns of smoke arising from 

 many points." [This is the country about Hastings, Clive, Havelock, &c., 

 one of the finest in the Dominion, then inhal)ited Ijy the powerful Ngati- 

 Kahu-ngungu Tribe.] 



After passing Portland Island, off the Mahia Peninsula (which D'Urville 

 calls Tera-Kako. after Cook, but the origin of which is not known), on the 

 4th February the corvette was off Poverty Bay. Here we shall follow the 

 narrative of the voyage lit rally : — 



[On the 4th February, 1827] we doubled at 2 p.m. the Cape Young Nicks, 

 memorable for having been the first point of New Zealand seen by the 



