landed, and formally took possession of the whole eastern coast in the name of George III, calling it New South Wales."[A] It is a centre for pearl-fishing, and a Naval Base. It is a sort of native cosmopolis. Every shade and tone of colour can be seen here, Chinese, Island boys, Papuans, and Malays. We entered the harbour, where the water was again that wonderful greenish blue turquoise, and the little fleet of pearling boats rode at anchor, for the War had put a stop to the industry. Thursday Island itself was a gay-looking little place, its shores covered with scattered bungalows, and a tropical forest covering the hills beyond. Moored near to our own boat was the little New Guinea steamer, manned by native Papuans. They wore nothing, down to their waists any way, which was as much as we could see of them, and
[Footnote A: There has been considerable difference of opinion among writers on the early history of Australia, as to whether Captain Cook did or did not name the whole of this district New South Wales. It is true that the name New South Wales does not appear in Cook's journals, and Bladen, editor of the "Historical Record of New South Wales," says that "the name appears to have originated with Hawkesworth," who edited "Cook's Voyages." Kitson, however, cites a letter written by Cook, 1771 ("Life of Cook," p. 149), in which the words occur, "The east coast of New Holland, or what I call 'New South Wales.'" Hawkesworth therefore did obtain the name from Cook.]
