In late September, the Auckland Harbour Master David Rough wrote describing a visit to various places around the western Hauraki Gulf and the Barrier Islands. He includes a description of visiting the area of copper ore later mined. The report was printed in the 'New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser'. "We insert the following letter respecting the Great Barrier Island, addressed by Captain Rough, harbour master of Auckland, to the editor of the Auckland Times, " Sir, — Having seen, in a paragraph of the last number of the Times, that some interest was excited as to the result of our expedition to the Great Barrier Island, and elsewhere, undertaken by direction of his Excellency the officer administering the Government ; I hasten, with great pleasure, to give you a brief description of the places we visited, in the hope that any information regarding the vicinity of this settlement may prove interesting to your readers. "About twenty miles to the northward of the Waitemata, is the spacious harbour of Mauharangi, accessible and safe for the largest vessels. The shores of the lower parts are bold, wooded, and picturesque, and where the creek becomes narrow at the upper part, there are fine slopes of rich land available for cultivation. From the entrance of Mauharangi to the river Muta Kena, about fifteen miles farther to the northward, several islands face the coast, leaving a deep and smooth water, passage betwixt them and the shore. The northernmost of these islands has a harbour at its western side, where vessels may find a good shelter in easterly gales. The river of Muta Kcna is narrow, but deep ; in it the brig Bee was moored close to the rocks, and underwent extensive repairs. At a small bay, near the river, we made diligent examination of the appearance of coal, to which our attention had been particularly directed ; but in the opinion of the scientific gentlemen who accompanied me, it is not likely that much coal will be found in that neighbourhood. In the entrance of the channel between the large island and the main, there is a dangerous rock, visible at halftide, bearing from Point Tukatu Whenoa, S. by W. -I W. Leaving Muta Kena, we examined the flat rock, and searched diligently about Point. Rodney and the Little Barrier Island, but found no appearance of any wreck. In the deep bay between Point Rodney and Tukatu Whenoa, we found a fine river, accessible for small vessels, which docs not appear on the charts. " The Little Barrier Island is accessible at some points for boats, and fresh water may be obtained from a cascade at the north-western side, but there does not appear to be any anchorage or shelter farther than what is to be obtained from lying under lee of the high cliffs. " The harbour at the western side of the Great Barrier Island is easily made, by bringing the north end of the Little Barrier to bear about W. by S.; in entering, a very high and remarkable conical cliff must be kept on the right hand. This harbour is very extensive, the most sheltered part appears to be Nagle’s Cove, the first on the left from the entrance, where her Majesty's ship Tortoise is moored within pistol shot of the shore. "The copper ore is found in a high cliff on the sea coast, about four miles to the northward of the harbour ; and on examining the other side of the cliff, we found it came quite through, and in considerable quantity. The neighbouring rocks appear to be composed of coarse granite and limestone ; and I am inclined to think that much more of the ore may hereafter be found in parts of the island, from which it may be more conveniently removed. "The commander of her Majesty 's shipTortoise informed me of another fine harbour he had visited, more to the southward, called Port Hobson. The general appearance of the Barrier is hilly and rugged ; there are forests of Kauri timber on the hills, and some vallies said to be available for cultivation. I am, Sir, " Your obedient servant, " DAVID ROUGH. " Auckland, 27th Sept., 1842."
Source-'New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser' Vol. 1, Issue 27, 1st November 1842, page 2 |
 The authoritative site about the human and natural history of Aotea Great Barrier Island. |
David Rough, Harbour master, visits coppermine 1842 |