There grows spontainously everywhere a kind of very broad-bladed grass, like flags of the Nature of Hemp,* (* The New Zealand flax (Phormium Tenax) is now a considerable article of commerce.

It furnishes a very strong fibre, and is made into rope, etc.) of which might be made the very best of Cordage and Canvas, etc.

There are 2 sorts, one finer than the other; of these the Natives make Cloth, rope, Lines, netts, etc.

Iron Ore is undoubtedly to be found here, particularly about Mercury Bays, where we found great quantities of Iron sand; however, we met with no Ore of any Sort, neither did we ever see any sort of Metal with the Natives.

We met with some stones at Admiralty Bay that appear'd to be Mineral in some degree, but Dr.Solander was of Opinion that they contain'd no Sort of Metal* (* Gold and coal have been found in New Zealand in large quantities.