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Jan.] EASTERN COAST. 369 



small reef, about two miles and a half from the main shore. When 

 at the head of the bay, the best anchorage will be found on the north 

 side, between a small island and the mainland, in fifteen fathoms of 

 water, muddy bottom. 



There are but few natives residing at this bay, and these few live 

 in a very miserable manner, subsisting almost entirely on shellfish, as 

 the fern-root is here very scarce, owing probably to the mountains of 

 rock which line the coast near the peninsula. 



January l%th. — We continued examining the coast to the north 

 and eastward, frequently seeing natives on shore, making signals for 

 us to land. On Wednesday, the 13th, we were close in with the 

 southern point of Cook's Strait, at the eastern entrance, called Cape 

 Campbell. It was in a harbour within this strait that Vancouver lost a 

 boat's crew, upon whose bodies, it is generally supposed, that the natives 

 feasted ; but from the account I received from one of the chiefs on the 

 north side of the strait, I am led to believe that the' flesh was thrown 

 away, and the bones worn as ornaments by the principal chiefs. Some 

 of these bones converted to this use were still to be found among the 

 tribes in this vicinity. There are many fine harbours on the south side 

 of the strait, with sufficient water to admit ships of any size. 



At 4, P. M., we were close in with Cape Palliser, which is the 

 north-east point of Cook's Strait, and is in lat. 41° 38' south, long. 175° 

 29' east. Off Flat Point, we received a visit from about fifty natives, 

 who insisted upon some of us going on shore. Their articles of 

 traffic were fish and fishing gear, curiosities, and women. The two 

 first were immediately purchased, but the latter did not come to a 

 good market. 



January 15th. — We continued on our passage to the north-east, 

 carefully examining the south-eastern shores of this island, until Fri- 

 day, the 15th, when, at 2, P. M., we were in the entrance of Hawk's 

 Bay, but did not examine the head of it, which is deep, and from ap- 

 pearance contains many fine harbours. In the south-west arm of this 

 bay are a few small islands, about one mile off-shore from Cape Kid- 

 napper, or the south point of the bay, with some sunken rocks around 

 them. Off the north point of the bay, or Cape Toahowray, there are 

 many islets and reefs, running along shore to Table Cape ; eight 

 leagues to the north of which is Taoneroa Bay or Harbour, sheltered 

 from all winds, excepting from east to east-south-east. At this place 

 there appeared a number of natives on the beach, making signals for 

 us to land ; but knowing that they had no articles of trade of any 

 value, and finding no seals on this part of the coast, we kept on our 

 course to the north and east, improving a fine breeze from the west, 

 and fair weather. 



January 17th. — After passing many small islets that lie close to the 

 shore, several of which harboured a few fur-seal, but very wild, from 

 being continually harassed by the natives, we arrived at East Cape, 

 on Sunday, the 17th. This is the most eastern point of New-Zealand, 

 being in lat. 37° 47' south, long. 178° 43' east. There are a few 

 sunken rocks lying about one mile off-shore from the extremity of the 

 cape. After doubling this cape, bound to the north, the coast suddenly 



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