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Auckland could be easily recognised. No doubt there are a few old settlers still living that have seen, as well as myself, a very tall man walking up Shortland street, in full dress of Stuart tartan (Scotch plaid), and who will recognise in the description Captain Stewart, the discoverer.

“Marmon states that Captain Stewart, on his arrival in Sydney, was arrested and put in prison, where he remained six months. This is not true. I may state that I arrived in Sydney in April, 1833, when everything connected with this notorious voyage was quite fresh in everybody’s memory. I have heard it related over and over again. It appears Captain Stewart, after leaving New Zealand, made his way to Sydney. Soon after his arrival the news got spread about, and finally reached the ears of the Government, but, whether from having no jurisdiction, or for want of sufficient evidence, I cannot say, no immediate action was taken in arresting Captain Stewart. In the meantime, and while the Government were deliberating, Stewart cleared out of Sydney, and sailed for a port in South America. This was the last heard of Captain Stewart or the brig Elizabeth in these colonies.

“As to Marmon’s account relative to conversing with Captain Stewart and John Cowell after their return to Kapiti, I should say it is a fabrication; for to my knowledge Marmon had been living in Hokianga, where he died, for nearly fifty years. I have never heard of his living at any time in the South. Again, it is the first time I ever heard John Cowell’s name in connection with Captain Stewart or the brig Elizabeth.

“In referring to Captain Stewart and his infamous voyage, I may relate the story as I heard it at the time I speak of, viz.:—In the early days of New Zealand there was a great chief named Te Pahi (head of the tribe to whom Te Rauparaha belonged),