CorrexNso.—On the Day in which Cook took possession of N.Z. 105 
thinking I have paid a proper respect to his memory, though it should be 
said of his journal (which has been faithfully transcribed)—that its only 
ornament is truth, and its best recommendation, characteristic of himself, 
its genuine simplicity." 
I cannot bring myself to believe that Capt. Cook omitted the taking the 
formal possession of the country on that occasion ; seeing, too, that he had 
with him the marines, and the flag, and the gentlemen of the ship—that 
the coast was clear of the enemy, who had, as he says, ** slowly retreated to 
the interior after crossing the river, carrying their dead and wounded with 
them ”—that a heavy surf was then settling the shore (which, indeed, 
prevented their landing again anywhere on that eventful day), and that 
this was now the second day of their being on shore in the newly-discovered 
country. 
And here I may mention that, just twenty years after, Lieut. Broughton, 
in H.M. Brig “Chatham,” took possession of the Chatham Islands, in 
these seas, under som>what similar circumstances. Lieut. Broughton was 
under Capt. Vancouver, who in the ** Discovery " commanded that expedi- 
tion, and who had been (as he says in his voyages) four times to New 
Zealand with Capt. Cook; and as Lieut. Broughton received his directions 
from Capt. Vancouver, no doubt they were like those formerly issued by 
his old commander Capt. Cook. Lieut. Broughton says of his first landing 
at those islands :—‘‘ Accompanied by Mr. Johnston the master and one of 
the mates we proceeded towards the shore in the cutter. * * * As 
the natives approached they made much noise * *  * and seemed 
very anxious to receive us on shore; but as all our intreaties were ineffectual 
in obtaining anything in return for our presents, perceiving many of them 
io be armed with long spears, and the situation being unfavourable to us 
in ease they should be disposed to treat us with hostility, we did not 
think it prudent to venture among them. * * * But having again 
reached the shore without any interruption, we displayed the Union flag, 
turned a turf, and took possession of the island, which I named Chatham 
Island (in honour of the Earl of Chatham), in the name of His Majesty 
King George the Third, under the presumption of our being the first 
discoverers.'* 
On the whole, I eonclude that Sydney Parkinson is right ; and that the 
act of taking formal possession of the country of New Zealand in the name 
ofthe King was done on that partieular day, viz., the 10th or 9th of October, 
1769, at Poverty Bay, and not on the 15th of November following, at 
Mereury Bay. 
* Vancouver's Voyages, Vol. I., p. 86. 
