"OLD NEW ZEALAND."

New Zealand Herald, Volume VII, Issue 1911, 2 March 1870, Page 6

"OLD NEW ZEALAND."

To the Editor of the Hkbat.d. Sir, —From advertisement, I see there is in the press, to be published in March, " A Centenary Edition of Captain Cook's Description of New Zealand." In wishing the author every success, I must crave the liberty of the press to differ with the said author as regards the sentiments placed before the public in the advertisement. The editor of this work states " That Captain James Cook, the celebrated navigator, was tha first European who set. foot on New Zealand, &e." Before Captain Cook, who was here in 1769, con d conciliate the affections of the natives, and bring them to trade with integrity, several were killed, and great pains taken.

It may not be improper likewise to mention that Monsieur Marion, who commanded two French ships was in 1772, with 2S of his men, murdered here. I shall now quote the sequel of this affair.

The carpenters belonging to the unfortunate M. Marion's ships were encamped in (lie woods, under the protection of a M. Crozet, with a small part v, fop the purpoea of mnking new masts, &c. Upon the news, therefore, of Captain Marion and his men bei;?g cut oir, a corporal and four marines were despatched to M. Crozet to acquaint him with bis danger, while several boats waited to receive hiin. M. Crozet immediately disposed everything as well as he could to effect a retreat, but soon found himself in sight of a prodigious crowd of the natives, led on by several chiefs, lie directed the four marines to be ready to lire at such persons as he should point out, if necessity required it, and then ordered all liis party to strike their tents and retire with their tools to the boats, while lie advanced up to one of the chiefs. This man told him that M. Marion was killed by another chief, whom he mined. At this, M. Crozet stuck a staff into the ground just before the feet of the chief, and bid him advance no further. The boldness of this act ion startled the savages, which being observed by M. Crozet, he insisted on his commanding the erowi to sit down, which was accordingly compliccl with. TTe now walked up and down before the natives till all his men were in the boat ; his soldiers w»re ordered to follow, and himself was the last embarked. Scarce was the boat put oIF from the shore, hut the savages began their song of defiance, and threw stones at him ; however, by the exertion of his people, lie got safe on board. This, however, did not intimidate M. Crozet, for, finding himself under a necessity of procuring new masts, he landed again with a party, attacked one of their fortifications and cut a breach in it; an armed chief instantly stepped into it and was shot dead, another stepped on the dead body and occupied his place, ho likewise fell a victim to M. Crozet's heroism ; and in like manner fell eight chiefs, who successively defended and bravely fell upon this post of honour. The rest, seeing their leaders dead, fled, and many were pursued and killed. In Bhort, after this enterprise, M. Crozet completed the repairs of liis ship without interruption, and prosecuted liis voyage after a stay of 64 days.—l am, &e., Pomnure, Feb. 35. J.G.S.