EARLY DAYS.

Franklin Times, Volume 9, Issue 655, 2 August 1921, Page 6

EARLY DAYS.

(Written Specially for the Times.) No. 11. COOK'S TWO VOYAGES. In these hurried and strenuous days a hundred and twenty-seven years appears a long period for the world to remain content to wait for knowledge of an unexpected country known to be at least 700 miles in length, yet New Zealand remained totally unvisited between 1642 and 1769. In the year 1768 an expedition started from England primarily to observe the transit of Venus across the disc cf the sun from- a southern station, but with orders to thoroughly explore Tasman’s find before returning. James Cook, an able navigator and mathematician, who had risen from a cabin boy to be master in the Navy, was given command of the expedition, and. he was accompanied by capable scientific men. His ship, the Endeavour, was merely an ex-collier, but she was a stout barge, and well provided with all that was requisite for a long voyage to unknown lands; After taking the transit at Tahiti, Cook approached New Zealand from the east and sighted land on the afternoon of October 7, 1769. The following day he entered Poverty and first made the acquaintance of the natives. Landing with a boats’ crew they were attacked. Two or three shots were fired over the islanders’ heads without effect, and at last one of them had to be shot as he was in the act of throwing his spear.

In spite of this uncompromising beginning, Cook managed to get into friendly relations with the Maoris, and the botanists of the party did a good deal of work before leaving Poverty Bay. The Union Jack was hoisted where Gisborne now stands, and the- country taken possession of in the name of King Georg-e 111. Cook now turned south, exploring Hawke’s Bay, but after running a good distance down the coast, he turned to the north again At Tokomaru Bay he secured water and wood. From thence he followed the coast, touching at various places and establishing communication with the Maoris, who willingly traded their scanty provisions for cloth and knives. After rounding the East Cape and crossing the Bay of Plenty, the transit of Mercury was observed at Mercury Bay on November 10. Captain Cook remained here for nearly a fortnight exploring,, the neighbourhood and visiting a strong pa or fortification. He considered it a very strong position, capable of defence by a small garrison against a vastly superior attacking force, and provisioned with a great quantity of prepared fern root and dried fish. It was at Mercury Bay that kauri gum was first seen. The only animal that was found was “a small ugly dog.” Fish was extremely plentiful, and a large quantity was salted down for future use, while the size of the oysters delighted them. After leaving Mercury Bay the Endeavour ran up the coast, rounded Cape Colville and ran up the Firth of Thames until the shallowing water made it appear only prudent to anchor- and pursue the exploration in boats. Cook found the mouth of the Waihou River and pulled up it for about a dozen miles, calling at a native pa, where he got a very friendly reception. A very fine,, forest on the river bank attracted their attention. This was no doubt kahikatea. Leaving the Hauraki Gulf they got to Whangarei Harbour on November 25. Here the behaviour of some Maoris who came to the ship in 'their canoes was so threatening that muskets had to be fired over their heads, and finajly a small cannon, which so terrified them that they leflt in great haste. The Maoris appeared more numerous and warlike in the Northern Peninsula than in any other places 'they had visited.

In trying to round the north of the island much time was lost owing to baffling westerly winds.. So little progress could the Endeavour make that Cook notes in his journal that they were twenty-one days gaining 30 miles and six weeks covering 150. But by New Year’s Day, 1770, they had rounded the corner and were running down the west coast. But not for long, for after sighting the opening of Kaipara Harbour they were again driven back to Cape Maria Van Dieman. However, they beat back and on the ltlh sighted Kawhia Harbour. The same day they got their first sight of M[t, Taranaki, which Cook named after the Earl of Egmont, who was Mirst Lord of the Admiralty when the Endeavour left Home. The magnificent and symmetrical cone, capped with everlasting snow, and rising from sea level without any other mountains to detract from it, appears to have made a profound impression upon all. Following the coast line into the strait, which was later to bear his own name, Cook caught his first rlimo.se of the South Island, 'lbey

ran across to Queen Charlotte Sound and anchored off Motuara Island, where they soon got into friendly communication with the Maoris. For some time they Stayed here, refitting the ship, and exploring the neighbourhood. The Poverty Bay natives had told them that they were cannibals, and expressed surprise at finding their white visitors did not eat men, and at Motuara they found ample evidence of the truth of this statement in the remains of cannibal feats. The flag was hoisted and possession taken of the South Island on the Ist of February, 1770. It was cn this occasion that Cook was told by an old native of a third island ■ (Stewart’s Island) lying still further south, but it was not till forty years later that this was verified by actual exploration.

On February 9 the Endeavour sailed east (through the Strait, and alter running up the unexplored portion of the North Island, turned south again, and circumnavigated the South Island. "It will not be necessary to follow Cook any longer. It will suffice to say that the • expedition returned [to England with a very good knowledge of the geography and botany of New Zealand.- The Government and the public were so interested that in 1772 Cook was sent back with two ships, the Resolute and Adventure, with pigs and other stock for the natives, as well as various useful seeds, and. with orders to make further inquiries regarding natural products of this country that

might prove useful, especially the timber and flax, his accounts of which had created great interest.