64 CLOUDY BAY. [PART I. 



from the south-west blow directly into the en- 

 trance, and often drag the ships from their anchor- 

 age. The high and steep hills which enclose the 

 place on all sides give it a gloomy appearance, the 

 sun appearing late and setting early. The name of 

 Cloudy Bay, given by Captain Cook, although he 

 never entered this harbour, is very appropriate : 

 it is now called Port Underwood. Rain must be 

 frequent, from the mountainous and woody character 

 of the country. I was here three times, always 

 during heavy rains. A few whalers and traders 

 found but a scanty subsistence even while whales 

 were plentiful and provisions from the natives cheap ; 

 both these advantages have now ceased. The har- 

 bour, it is true, has the nearest connection with the 

 level land at Wairao, and it is to the latter that 

 it must look for any importance it may in future 

 acquire. The road to that land from Port Under- 

 wood is even now passable, and has been driven over 

 by cattle. A Mr. Wilton, from Sydney, attempted 

 a farming establishment at Wairao, and drove cattle 

 thither from Port Underwood. He lost his life 

 through an accident, and I am not aware that any 

 one has since renewed the attempt. 



Cloudy Bay and Queen Charlotte's Sound are 

 very rich in fish. Nowhere in New Zealand have 

 I found them in such abundance. They were of the 

 genera Scomber, Balistes, Serranus, Raius, Labrus. 

 Mullets also were very plentiful. A fish was often 

 caught which is nearly allied, even if it be not the 



