April 1830. KIRKE NARROW—EASTER BAY. 349 
proceeded towards the Kirke Narrow. We had been unvary- 
ing in watching and trying the strength of the tides during our 
stay ; but the observations never accorded with those in the 
narrow, and our calculations this morning, after all the trouble 
we had taken, were found to be erroneous. On approaching the 
place we met a stream of tide setting to the S.W. between two 
and three knots; the wind was light; we sometimes gained 
ground—at others were forced back by the strength of the 
tide—and thus kept hovering near the entrance until eleven 
o’clock ; when the tide slackened, and we neared the eastern 
end, which is by far the narrowest part, and where, I appre- 
hended, every exertion would be required to clear the rocks ; 
but fortunately it was at the moment of slack water—we passed 
through easily, and our anticipated difficulty vanished. This 
eastern entrance is narrowed by two islands, which contract the 
width, at one part, to a hundred and fifty yards. When clear 
of this passage, Point Return, Point Desire, and Kaster Bay 
were in sight, and we found ourselves in a channel much wider 
than those to which we had been lately accustomed. To the 
south was a deep sound, apparently branching in different 
directions between high land, but our principal object was the 
low country to the N.E., and through this we were so sanguine 
as to make sure of finding a passage. In the evening we anchored 
in Easter Bay, and moored the schooner in four and six 
fathoms, over a muddy bottom. 
“Next morning (12th) the boats were prepared for going 
away to gain a better knowledge of the country around, to find 
out the best anchorage, and to become acquainted with some of 
the many advantages that, from the prospect before us, we 
considered ourselves sure of experiencing. Mr. Kirke went to 
examine Worsley Sound, and he was desired to examine every 
opening as he proceeded eastward. As soon as he was gone, I 
set about measuring a base between Easter Bay and Focus 
Island ; which, being of moderate height, appeared to be a 
favourable position for extending the triangulation. This work 
was soon finished; but I was greatly disappointed, when on 
the summit of the island, with the view that presented itself 
