Chap. II.
The bay of islands, so called, in all probability, from a number of small rocky islets situated about its entrance, lies in 35 deg. 6 min. south latitude, and 174 deg. 43 min. of east longitude.
It is generally believed, that in entering this harbour there is no danger, but such as is readily perceptible. In going in, it is proper to keep to the starboard side, and to pass the section of the sugar-loaf at a very short distance.
The shores, as far as they are known, are so bold, that in beating into the bay, no danger is to be apprehended from standing very near in with them. A prudent navigator of course need not be told that the lead ought to be kept going.
It is advisable not to suffer any natives to come on board until the ship is brought to an anchor, as the novelty of their appearance is liable to take off the attention of the seamen from their duty, independently of their being much in the way during the working the ship.
When the ship is brought to an anchor it would be unfriendly to prevent their coming on board in moderate numbers; but it would be always prudent to be provided with fire-arms, and other means of defence, as at least one instance has occurred of their attempting to take a ship. Indeed, if appearances induced them to believe that there was a probability of their attempt succeeding, it is scarcely to be expected that they would not make it. The means of supplying themselves with an article they covet above all others, might prove an irresistable temptation: I allude to iron, a metal of which they are so well acquainted with the value, that they will barter almost any thing they possess to obtain it. However, as I propose to speak of the character of these people hereafter, I shall, in this chapter, confine myself to giving some account of the shores immediately surrounding, and in the vicinity of this bay.
The country in the immediate vicinity of the bay is almost destitute of wood, though there are immense forests at fifteen or twenty miles distance. The soil is a light vegetable mould, but rich, as it would appear by the vegetation it produces.
There are several villages in the neighbourhood, and a great number of straggling huts: At the head of almost every smallinlet, where canoes can be conveniently drawn on shore, a family, or sometimes two, are settled.
The circumjacent parts would undoubtedly afford great opportunities for botanical research; but independently of the advantages to be derived from that pursuit, the timber and flax produced here may at some future time be found highly valuable.
The timber of which we have the most knowledge at present is the fir, which grows here to an amazing height, and of such dimensions, as to admit of being formed into a canoe capable of containing thirty persons, or in other words, five and six feet diameter.
Their weapons of war prove the existence of a hard wood somewhat similar to lignum vitæ growing in this country. This tree is more than a foot in diameter.
The flax is of a very superior quality in its native state; but there can be no doubt, but that it might be improved by cultivation. Its texture is beautifully silky, the fibres of great strength, and four or five feet long.
The fern grows here in great abundance; the root of which is held in great estimation by the natives; and previously to the introduction of potatoes, was almost their only esculent vegetable. They call it Haddawai, and the method of preparing it for food consists in beating it for some time with a stone, until it becomes soft; they then chew it, and after having extracted the glutinous substance with which it abounds, exclude the fibrous parts.
There are flowering shrubs and wild indigo in great abundance.
There is every appearance of a great scope for mineralogical investigation, though there is no reason to suppose that the natives are acquainted with the existence of metal of any kind in New Zealand, as I could not discover in their tools or ornaments any metal, but such as evidently had been procured from Europeans. There is a green semi-transparent talc, brought from the interior, of considerable hardness, with which they make their tools, and a number of ornaments. This had formerly been considered of great value; but in proportion to the quantity of iron they obtain, their original implements formed of that material diminish in value among them.
As far as I could learn, they have no larger animal than the dog, which is a native here, usually black and white, with sharp, pricked up ears, the hair rather long, and in figure a good deal resembling the animal we call a fox-dog—the native name for which is Coraddee. It is possible the interior may produce quadrupeds of greater magnitude, all the others found here are such as we usually call vermin.
The immediate neighbourhood of this bay is unfavourable to ornithological enquiry, on account of the scarcity of wood; but I have no doubt the interior must abound in a great variety of rare and beautiful birds: the only species I saw that struck me as new, was a pigeon, of beautiful plumage, large size, and delicious eating. Cockatoos and parrots, in great variety, are said to inhabit the woods, as well as an infinity of small birds.
This bay abounds in fish of all descriptions usually found in the same parallel of latitude. The snapper and bream are un commonly fine—the cray fish and crabs excellent, and the oysters, though not fit for a London market, on account of the irregularity of their shells, are well flavoured, and found in great abundance.
To such as are fond of cockles, muscles, and all the varieties of small shell-fish, the bay of islands must prove a most desirable place to visit: and here may be procured a great variety of rare and beautiful shells for the cabinets of the curious.