OF NEW ZEALAND. 
21 
a fair wind, the commander would run great 
hazard of striking his vessel on the sands or in 
the mud, and perhaps of altogether losing her. — 
The Mahia, Hicks’s, and Hawkes’s Bays, are all of 
them open, and afford no shelter that can at all 
be depended upon, except when the wind blows 
off the land. — Port Nicholson, and Cloudy Bay, 
have each good anchorage ; but none to surpass, 
or even equal, that of the Bay of Islands. 
The following more particular account of the 
harbours may be depended upon ; as it was com- 
municated by nautical men, well acquainted with 
their business, and by whom these harbours have 
been surveyed, or frequently visited. 
Hokianga, a harbour on the western coast of 
New Zealand, is situated in latitude 35® 32' south, 
and longitude 173® 27' east : variation, 14® 46' east. 
It is twenty-four leagues s.e. from Cape Maria 
Van Dieman; and may be known by a sand-hill 
on the N.w. side, and a black head on the south, 
both moderately high. The land, for five or six 
miles to the north, is sand — not a black spot to be 
seen ; and terminates with high black mountains. 
The land to the south is black and rocky. About 
six or seven leagues to the south there is a very 
high perpendicular cliff, which overhangs the sea : 
this, kept open, will clear the whole coast about 
Hokianga ; which is generally flat, but soundings 
regular, and may be approached by the lead in 
thirty fathoms water, at a convenient distance 
from the shore. In running in for the harbour. 
