102 _. + Transactions.—Miscellaneous. 
were mostly on shore, not at all annoyed by the Maoris, who (as he says) 
“ behaved very civilly, showing us everything that we expressed a desire to 
see ;” and enjoying themselves greatly in rambling about, going into the 
woods, seeing what was to be seen, and in making extensive botanical and 
other collections, having also with him on shore nearly the whole strength 
of his ship, including the chief officers, the scientific gentlemen, and the 
marines. He says (after leaving Tegadoo, or Anaura bay) :—‘‘In the 
afternoon of the 23rd, as soon as the ship was moored, I went on shore to 
examine the watering-place, accompanied by Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander ; 
the boat landed in the cove without the least surf; the water was excellent 
and conveniently situated; there was plenty of wood close to high-water 
mark; and the disposition of the people was in every respect such as we 
could wish. * * * On the 24th, early in the morning, I sent Lieutenant 
Gore on shore to superintend the cutting of wood and filling of water, with a 
sufficient number of men for both purposes, and all the marines as a guard. 
After breakfast I went on shore myself, and continued there the whole day. 
Mr. Banks and Dr. Solander also went on shore to gather plants, and in 
their walks saw several things worthy of notice," ete., ete 
And here I would remark (1), that we know, from Cook's own words, the 
high expectations all on board of his ship had on their first seeing this new 
land ; which, no doubt, was greatly increased during their slow approach of 
from two to three days to their first anchorage: Cook says, ** The land became 
the subject of much eager conversation ; but the general opinion seemed to be 
that we had found the Terra australis incognita." (2). That at this time 
(as a matter of course) Captain Cook did not know how far the land he had : 
discovered extended to the north, neither was he sure (after the experience 
he had had of its natives and of its coast) that he should ever land again ; 
or, if he should, that he could possibly have a better opportunity than 
he had here, during his ten days’ stay at Anaura and Tolago Bays. Here 
then, if he pad. not already done so, would have been the place and the 
fitting opportunity for him to have taken possession of his newly-discovered 
country. 
Leaving Tolago Bay on the 30th October, Captain Cook coasted north until 
the 4th November, when he anchored at Mereury Bay. Here he remained from 
ten to eleven days, spending, with his party, much of their time on shore very 
agreeably. On their leaving the bay, on the 15th, they acted in the manner 
already quoted and described. So that, if this was really the first time of his 
taking formal possession of the country, he had been no less than thirty-eight 
days in the New Zealand waters, of which about twenty-four days were spent 
on land in various places on the east coast ; and yet, though nothing hindered, 
and delay in such matters (e we have seen) was not in keeping with Cook's 
