CoLENSo. — On the Day in tvhich 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 then* dead and wounded with 

 them " — that a heavy surf was then settling the shore (which, indeed, 

 prevented theii- 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 somowhat 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 landuig 

 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 

 to be armed with long spears, and the situation being unfavourable to us 

 in case 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 Thh-d, under the presumption of our being the first 

 discoverers."* 



On the whole, I conclude that Sydney Parkinson is right ; and that the 

 act of taking formal possession of the country of New Zealand in the name 

 of the King was done on that particular day, viz., the lOfch or 9th of October, 

 1769, at Poverty Bay, and not on the 15th of November following, at 

 Mercury Bay. 



* Vancouver's Voyages, Vol. I., p. 86. 



