CAPTAIN COOK'S BUCKSHOT POLICY.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1928, Page 6

CAPTAIN COOK'S BUCKSHOT POLICY.

When Captain Jas. Cook, master in the navy, first explored New Zealand he seems to have put as much faith in buckshot as did Napoleon in the "whiff of grapeshot." The expedition to the South Seas was the master's first contact with the Polynesians, and he made up his mind from the beginning to keep the buckshpt in reserve, however gushing his manner might be with the natives. His first day in this new land was marked by the killing of a Maori. Cook, Banks and Solander had landed, and while the Maoris fled the Europeans examined their whares. When the natives began to resent the examination and return the boat's crew that brought Cook's party ashore got "the wind up";"three shots were fired, and one Maori commenced his journey to Te Reinga. The next day an inquisitive native took possession of Green's sword during a korero; refusing to give it up, he was shot; three more shared the same fate before the conference ended. Later in the day while Cook was having a sail around the bay (he called it Endeavour, but later rechristened it Poverty) on the quest for water "and the capture of some natives," two canoes came in from the sea, where their crews had been fishing; a demand to surrender was answered by flight, but Cook ordered shots to be fired over their heads; the Maoris promptly turned and Showed fight; result, three killed, and three youths who took to the water were captured. Two days' contact and seven dead Maoris. Of the canoe episode, Cook wrote: "I am aware that the most Humane men who have not experienced things of this nature will Censure my Conduct in firing upon people in their Boat; nor do I myself think the reason I had for firing upon her will at all justify me." Banks put his comment on record: "Thus ended the most disagreeable day my life has yet seen—black be the mark for it and heaven send that such may never return to embitter future reflection." Off Cape Kidnappers a dispute arose over a deal for a dogskin cloak; and Cook notes that "two or three natives paid for their daring with their lives." At Cape Runaway some natives came out in canoes; not liking their mien Cook "fired a shot over their heads," and the natives made off; the master of the navy duly called that place Cape Runaway. Nearing Mercury Bay the same procedure was adopted, except that the four-pounder aided the muskets. While the scientific party was ashore observing the transit of Mercury the second lieutenant, in charge of the ship, shot a Maori for alleged theft. In the Hauraki the Maoris stoned Cook's vessel; at Breamhead "another incident" was recorded, muskets, smallshot and the fourpounder being in action again; the captain grimly relates that "ye whistling of the Shott sent the natives ashore." At Cavelle Islands he found it "necessary to pepper two or three fellows with small Shott"—the never-failing remedy. In the Bay of Islands some Maoris were wounded in an argument with Cook and his party on shore, and one who attempted to carry off the buoy attached to the anchor was likewise sadder and sore for his temerity.

However, with it all Cook classed the Maoris as good folk and able dealers; he marvelled at their nets; one at the Bay of Islands was about 3000 feet long and 30 feet deep; the savage owners laughed at the Endeavour's puny seine net.

Despite popular belief, Cook did not introduce the "porker" to New Zealand; that was an honour due to Governor King of Norfolk Island, though Durville had earlier landed two pigs in the Bay of Islands. —T.W.