CHAP. XIV

Summary

As Mr. Marsden's official duties at the Colony required his return as soon as possible, he was apprehensive of prolonging his stay in this harbour, lest the ship might not have taken in her cargo before the time allowed by his limited leave of absence should expire; and for this reason he was anxious to get back without more delay to the Bay of Islands, not choosing by any means to trespass on the indulgence of the Governor. Accordingly, the ship getting under sail with a fine breeze from the south west, we left this interesting part of New Zealand, January 19th, at an early hour in the morning. It was not however without sensations of regret, at not being able to see more of the character and habits of the people in this quarter, as well as of the nature of the country itself, that I now took my departure from it; and as this place had particularly attracted the attention of Captain Cook, I felt the greater desire to be better acquainted with its internal situation. The following is his description of it, which, so far as I could ascertain, is perfectly correct, (excepting what relates to the security of the bay as a road for shipping,) and may here supply that information which, from the circumstance I have mentioned, it is not in my power to afford.