SKIRMISH BAY, the name given by Lieutenant Broughton to a bay in an island, which was discovered by him in latitude 43^{\circ} 48' south, and in longitude 183^{\circ} east. The Chatham armed tender, which Mr Broughton commanded, under Captain Vancouver in his voyage of discovery, worked up into the bay, and came to anchor about a mile from the shore. The Lieutenant, the master, and one of the mates, landed, and found the people so extremely inhospitable, that they were obliged to fire upon them in their own defence. The land, whether island or continent, is of considerable magnitude: the part which they saw extended nearly 40 miles from east to west; and the appearance of the country, according to the description given, is very promising. In many respects, the natives resemble those of New Zealand; from which country they are distant about 100 leagues: but their skins were destitute of any marks, and they had the appearance of being cleanly in their persons. Their dresses were of seal or seabear skin, and some had fine woven mats fastened round the waist. "They seemed a cheerful race, our conversation (says Mr Broughton) frequently exciting violent bursts of laughter amongst them. On our first landing, their surprise and exclamations can hardly be imagined: they pointed to the sun, and then to us, as if to ask, whether we had come from thence?" Their arms were spears, clubs, and a small weapon resembling the New Zealand patoo.