"Polack, member of a Jewish family with Australian connections was in New Zealand between 1831 and 1837. Firstly for 12 months in Hokianga and then as a Bay of Islands trader for four years before returning to England, and coming back to New Zealand before his departure for California in 1849 where he died. Although his knowledge and experience was not as great as claimed he is a more useful early informant than the denigration of Colenso and others would imply. Much on journeys by sea and on foot through Northland, particularly Kaipara, Waimamaku, Waipoua, the Bay of Plenty, East Coast, Uawa, Tolaga Bay, the missions, European land purchases and events of the 1830s."--Bagnall, 4589