422 Transactions. 



From the neighbouring heights we remarked that the channel where 

 our boat was left debouched to the west into a large basin which extended 

 indefinitely to the north [the upper Waitemata]. It is very probable that 

 the latter communicates with the channel we had observed the previous 

 evening in the N.N.W. of our anchorage [? the Welti River]. Everything 

 indicates that in these parts the island Ika-na-Mawi [Te Ika-a-Maui] is 

 cut up by many channels and creeks, which form bays and harbours, some 

 better than the others. 



Towards half past 3 we quitted those parts, and an hour afterwards 

 we were on board. Profiting by the favouring tide, M. Jacquiraot had 

 brought the corvette to the entry of the pass between Rangui-Toto and the 

 land of Toka-Pouni [Takapuna, Mount Victoria ; the north head is Taka- 

 runga]. As soon as the whaleboat w^as hoisted in I hauled the tacks to star- 

 board, having decided to enter the eastern channel. Aided by a fine breeze 

 from the S.W., I quickly doubled to windward the island Rangui-Toto, and 

 at twenty-five minutes past 5, at the moment when we passed its southern 

 point, at less than 300 toises, the sounding-line, which was dropped alter- 

 nately and continuously on either side, showed diminished soundings from 

 6 to 5. 5|, and even 4 fathoms. I luffed up, in spite of breakers which en- 

 circled us on the south, when the soundings gave us 6, and afterwards 

 augmented up to 8 fathoms. At 6.30 p.m. I saw myself surrounded by 

 land in all directions, and the channel was much contracted. Fearing to 

 fall into a place less favourable to anchor, and not wishing to go any farther, 

 I let go the starboard anchor in 8 fathoms, muddy bottom. Twenty 

 fathoms of chain sufficed to place us in a position without anxiety. The 

 night was very fair, and I was able to enjoy a perfect repose.* 



26th February. — At 5 a.m., impatient to pursue our discoveries, and 

 with a slight breeze from the S.W., accompanying charming weather, I 

 made sail in order to advance farther up the channel into which we had 

 penetrated. But the wind, after veering to the S. and S.E., suddenly fell 

 altogether, at 7.30 a.m., and left us in a dead calm. At the same time 

 three canoes, which we had long since seen coming from the south shore, ar- 

 rived alongside. I soon learned that they belonged to Rangui [Rangi-hua], 

 chief of these parts ; he himself, dressed in a Scotch tunic [? kilt], was in the 

 largest of the canoes. On my invitation he mounted on board at once, 

 and without distrust, and advanced towards me with a grave and assured 

 pace, and oft'ered me the salutation of etiquette (shongui) [hongi]. I ordered 

 that all his warriors should remain in their canoe, and only permitted him 

 and his brother and companion-in-arms, Tawiti [Tawhiti, or Waero], to 

 come on board, which did not seem to cause him any repugnance. 



Te Rangui, whose height was 5 ft. 9 in., was a very fine man in every 

 sense of the word ; his gait was noble and imposing ; and his features, 

 though ornamented with numerous furrows — marks of his rank — expressed 

 an air of calm confidence and dignity in a remarkable degree. It was not 

 long before we became the best friends in the world, and, during the course 

 of the long conversation we had, the following are the principal things I 

 was able to catch : The Natives of Shouraki [Hauraki] are in continual 

 war with the people of the north, who come each year to ravage their 

 territories. The firearms give an immense advantage to the latter, and 

 Rangui testified the most lively desire to obtain some for his tribe. A 



* See note 15 [being an extract from M. Qtioy's journal, which is of no intere.st 

 except that he mentions the volcanic nature of the sunonnding country. — Translator]. 



