This and other things the Company might have found out if it had taken early steps to do so.

The truth is that the first occupation of New Zealand was rushed, and, like everything else that is done in a hurry, it was in part done very badly.
So little was known or thought of the South Island that sovereignty was not proclaimed over it until four months after the Governor's arrival in the north, and even then the royal flag was not hoisted there.

The consequence was a narrow escape from an attempt by the French to plant a colony at Akaroa in Banks Peninsula.

The French frigate _L'Aube_ put in at the Bay of Islands in July, 1840, bound for the south.

Her captain, hospitably entertained by Hobson, let fall some incautious words about the object of his voyage.