and fern roots. They were
evidently poorer than those seen previously, and their canoes are
described as "mean and almost without ornament." They soon understood the
value of iron, and readily took spike nails when trading, and greatly
preferred "Kersey and Broadcloth to the Otaheite cloth, which show'd them
to be a more sensible people than many of their neighbours," says Cook.

An old man, who had previously paid several visits, complained that one
of the ships boats had fired on and wounded two Maoris, one of whom was
since dead. On enquiry, Cook found that the Master and five petty
officers, fishing beyond the usual limits, were approached by two canoes
in what they thought was a threatening manner and had fired to keep them
off. A second native assured Cook no death had occurred, and enquiry
failed to discover one; but Cook very severely condemned the action of
his men as totally unjustifiable. The ship had, by this time, been
brought into fairly good trim, being clean, freshly caulked and tarred,
and broken ironwork all repaired, so preparations were made to push
through the straits; but, before leaving, two posts were set up, one near
the watering place, and the other on the island, Motuara, on which the
name of the ship and the date of the visit had been cut, and possession
was taken of this land, the king's health being drunk, and the empty
bottle presented to the old man who had complained about the shooting,
and who was greatly delighted with his present; he also was given some
silver threepenny pieces, dated 1763, and spike nails marked with the
broad arrow.

On getting out into the strait a very strong current nearly drove them on
to a small island, the anchor would not hold, and only a change in the
current, probably caused by the tide, saved them. The southern point of
the North Island was named "Cape Pallisser, in honour of my worthy
friend, Captain Pallisser," and the north point of the South Island was
called Cape Campbell, after Captain John Campbell, F.R.S., who had been
one of Cook's strongest supporters as Observer for the Royal Society.

When through the straits Cook was turning south, but finding some of his
people were not quite satisfied as to the part they had passed being an
island, he took a northerly course till Cape Turnagain was recognised,
when he at once went about for the south. Banks says:

"At this time there were two parties on board, one who wished that the
land in sight might,