Captain H. Bunker, in 1823, discovered an island in 15° 30' north, and 136° west longitude. Lying to windward, and it blowing strong, he could not get to it to make any observations.
In the same year he landed on an island in 24° 22' north, longitude 153° I8' east, by reckoning, not being able to make an observation that day; nor has he visited or heard of the island since.
Captain H. C. Bunker, about three years ago, discovered an island not on his charts; it is called by the natives Pearotuah, is three miles from east to west, about 20 miles in circumference, high, mountainous, rocky, and rugged, free from all dangers around it, with two boat harbors, one northwest of the other, on the northwest side; the land productive. The missionaries had visited it, and Mr. Williams was on it at the time. The natives are estimated at 5,000 in number. It is in latitude 21° 17' south, and longitude 159° 40' west. There is no trace of the island on Purdy's charts to the latest editions.
Australian and New Zealand Gazette, September 6, 1851
London, United Kingdom
AUCKLAND ISLES. THE PIRATES OF THE " HELEN."
—Intelligence of the escape of these marauders from Port Ross has just been received in Sydney. Wilson, with another person, supposed to be bis mate, shipped at sea on board the whaler Brisk, Captain Bunker. They stipulated that they should be landed at the first civilised port they might pass on their return from whaling; and Captain Bunker landed them at the Bay of Islands, about the latter end of January last. They were almost starved when they begged to be taken on board the Brisk; and the captain, having his suspicions that all was not right, warned the magistrate of Kororarika. It has since been ascertained, that whatever might have been Captain Bunker's suspicions, his crew were all aware from the beginning who their shipmates were. That the pirates have since escaped from Kororarika there can be but little doubt. As full information will be sent to the governor of the Auckland Islands, and every other possible step taken to apprehend them, their present escape, it is to he hoped, may be but a temporary one. That they will have the temerity to venture to Sydney is scarcely likely; nevertheless, the water police are on the alert.