Chap. IX. ARRIVAL OF CAPTAIN HOBSON. {ffi 
same purpose. If made strong, however, the beverage 
has a nauseous bitter taste resembling that of hore- 
hound. It sometimes grows into large trees, and the 
timber is then hard and close-grained. It is the most 
valued for firewood of any of the New Zealand 
woods ; and is used by the natives for clubs and 
spears, on account of its hard, heavy, and tough qua- 
lities. 
I was soon informed by Colonel Wakefield of the 
principal events which had happened during my ab- 
sence. Several vessels had arrived from Sydney, Port 
Philip, and Hobart Town, with a stock of cattle and 
sheep for the young colony. A few of the owners of 
these flocks and herds had determined to take up their 
abode here, having come with the intention of only 
selling and going away. The stock had been placed 
on the fern-covered land at the south end of the har- 
bour. Among the importers of stock was Mr. James 
Watt, who had been settled at Bathurst in New South 
Wales. He brought with him two horses; one of 
which was a young thorough-bred, which afterwards 
became the sire of many New Zealand-born steeds. 
A trading-vessel from the Bay of Islands had 
brought the news of the arrival of Captain Hobson 
there, and a copy of his proclamation assuming the 
office of Lieutenant-Governor, under the Governor of 
New South Wales, " in and over any territory which 
" was or might be acquired in sovereignty by her M.a- 
"jesty, her heirs, or successors, in New Zealand.'' 
The reports as to his further or proposed proceedings 
were so vague and contradictory that they are not 
worth recording. 
The Council, authorized by the chiefs of the district, 
had met weekly ; and had proceeded to take measures 
for the administration of the provisional government. 
