Series 03: Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 (vol. 2) - No. 0217
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[Page 217]
213.
Some account of New Zealand
In the Southern parts their societies seemd to have many things in common particularly their fine cloaths & netts the former of which they had but few we never saw any body employd in making it might be that what they had were the spoils of war they were kept in a small Hut erected for that purpose in the middle of the town the latter seemd to be the Joint work of the whole society Every house had in it peices of netting upon which they were at work by the joining together these it is probable that they made the long Seins which we saw.
[Margin note] Women
The Women are less regarded here than at the South Sea Islands at least so Tupia thought who complaind of it as an insult upon the sex they eat with the men however. How the sexes divide labour I do not know but I am inclind to beleive that the Men till the ground fish in boats & take birds the Women dig up Fern roots, collect shell Fish & lobsters near the beach & dress the Victuals & weave cloth while the men make netts thus at least these employments have been distributed when I had an opportunity of Observing them which was very seldom for our approach generaly made a holiday where ever we went men women & children flocking to