45 
Mangonui County, and probably destined to 
become a large and important centre. Our 
route lay by way of Ohaeawai, in the Bay 
of Islands County, through Waimate North, 
Kerikeri, Waipapa, on to Kaeo—the latter 
within easy distance of the terminal reaches 
of Whangaroa UHarbour—thence on to our 
destination, Kaitaia, The day’s drive proved 
most interesting, and as we passed the 
upper waters of Whangaroa Harbour the 
tragic story of the Boyd, with the destruc- 
tion of all on board was recalled. It has 
been many times told, but as it may be 
new to many of the readers of this short 
narrative of a tour in the northern regions, 
of which Whangaroa is a most interesting 
section, a short account of the terrible mas- 
sacre may be given. 
The Boyd Massacre, 1810. 
In a dispatch from Governor Macquarie 
to Viscount Castlereagh dated Sydney, 12th 
March, 1810, an account of the massacre of 
the Boyd’s crew is given at some length. 
From this account it appeared that the Boyd 
had come te Sydney with convicts from 
Ireland towards the end of 1809. She was 
returning to England by way of New Zeal- 
and, with the intention of shipping some 
spars and timber, and had a cargo of fur 
skins and oil. According to official reports 
afterwards made to Governor Macquarie by 
a commissioner appointed for the purpose, 
when the Boyd left Sydney she had on 
board four or five New Zealanders, who 
made part of her crew. ‘They were dis- 
pleased at their treatment on the passage, 
and determined on revenge. On their arrival 
they complained to their friends and relat- 
ives at Whangaroa, and the design of taking 
the ship was formed in consequence. The 
captain was prevailed on to leave the vessel, 
accompanied by his chief officer and three 
boats manned in order to procure the spars 
he required. The boats were conducted to 
a river out of sight of the ship, and Cap- 
tain Thompson was invited to land and 
mark the spars he wanted, the crew follow- 
ing to assist in the work, ‘The tide was 
ebbing, and the party was led through the 
forest until the water had receded suffici- 
ently to leave the boats high and dry. The 
