1840 - Polack, J. S. Manners and Customs of the New Zealanders [Vol. I.] [Capper reprint, 1976] - [Front Matter]

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LONDON:
E. VARTY, PRINTER, 27, CAMOMILE STREET, BISHOPSGATE.

Printed offset by the Caxton Press, Christchurch from the copy in the Canterbury Public Library, Christchurch

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ILLUSTRATIONS.

VOL. I.

1. MAP OF NEW ZEALAND, TO FACE TITLE

2. DEPARTURE OF WARRIORS ON AN EXCURSION, --------- Title Page.

3. PORTRAIT OF TANGIERI, A CHIEF OF MAUNGAKAHIA --- i

4. REMAINS OF A CHIEF OF WANGARI LYING IN STATE --- 64

5. PORTRAIT OF TAMAROA A CHIEF OF KAIPARA --------- 67

6. TOKI PU TANGATA, A NATIVE STONE ADZE ----------- 71

7. NA RAOUI, OR SEPULCHRAL MONUMENTS -------------- 115

8. SEPULCHRAL EFFIGIES -- - - - ------------------- 116

9. TOMB OF TUWHENUA, A CHIEFTESS ------------------ 118

10. FAMILY CEMETERY OF MAWERANGI - - - ------------ 120

11. MONUMENT TO THE FATHER OF P0MARE -------------- 121

12. PLATFORM FOR THE REMAINS OF A CHIEF ----------- 122

13. REMAINS OF A CHIEFTESS OF HOKIANGA ------------ 157

14. ROLL OF FLAX AS PREPARED FOR EXPORTATION ------ 177

15. WETIKI, OR NATIVE BELT ------------------------ 179

16. ANCIENT WOODEN HOE ---------------------------- 193

17. FISHING VILLAGE ------------------------------- 197

18. LANDING NET ----------------------------------- 198

19. FISH BASKETS ---------------------------------- 198

20. NATIVE FISH-HOOKS ----------------------------- 199

21. A NATIVE BASKET ------------------------------- 200

22. HOUSE ERECTED FOR AN EUROPEAN ----------------- 205

23. CARVED ENTABLATURE FOR FRONT OF A HOUSE ------- 206

24. HOUSE FOR THE ACCOMMODATION OF VISITORS ------- 207

25. SHEDS ERECTED BY TRAVELLERS ------------------- 208

26. NATIVE HABIT OF QUITTING A HUT ---------------- 208

27. NA POWAKA, OR VILLAGE DEPOSITORIES ------------ 209

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ILLUSTRATIONS.--VOL. I.

28. NATIVE MUSEUM --------------------------------- 213

29. FLAX STORES NEAR A KOURI FOREST --------------- 211

30. STORE FOR THE KUMERA ---- - - - --------------- 212

31. FIGURE TO SURMOUNT THE FRONT OF A HOUSE ------- 213

32. CARVED DOORWAY TO A COUNCIL-HOUSE ------------- 213

33. PLATFORM IN A VILLAGE - - - - - --------------- 214

14. PITOU, OR FIGURE-HEAD TO A CANOE - - - -------- 219

35. RAPA, OR STERN-POST - - - - - - --------------- 219

36. RAPA, PITOU AND STERN-POST -------------------- 220

37. WAKA PANI, OR PAINTED CANOE ------------------- 220

38. E'HOHI MAORI, OR COMMON PADDLE ---------------- 221

39. RAPA MAORI. OR STERN-POST --------------------- 221

40. E'HOHI PANI, OR PAINTED PADDLE ---------------- 223

11. NA TIARU, OR CARVED BOWLS FOR BAILING --------- 225

42. CARVED BUCKET --------------------------------- 226

43. CARVED BOX FOR TRINKETS ----------------------- 239

44. NA POWAKA WAKIRO, OR BOXES -------------------- 230

45. PORTRAIT OF TE WAINGA, A PRIEST OF HOKIANGA --- 252

46. NA RAOUI, OR PROHIBITORY POSTS ---------------- 277

47. RECEPTACLES FOR NATIVE FOOD ---- 279

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Manners, Customs, Habits, and Opinions of the New Zealanders.--Gradual Change and Progression towards European Habits.--Effects caused by the Advancement of Colonization among the Natives.--Contradictions in Character explained.--Influence of Social Compacts.--Early Manners of the People contrasted with their present Habits.--Opposition evinced towards the early Visitors to the Country.--National Industry.--Island of Victoria.--Physical Contrarieties existing among the native Population.--Their Origin.--The Islanders of Australasia.--Condition and Manners, and peculiar Difference from the New Zealanders ....... 1

CHAPTER II.

Local Traditions of the Origin of the King of Heaven and the Country.--The Island of Ai-no-mawe.--Native Antiquities.--An Unnatural Divinity.--Origin of the National Mythology.--Decrescence of Civilization.--Origin of the Native Religion.--Astronomical Suppositions.-- Enjoyments ascribed to the Deities on Earth.--Origin of a Volcano, with its Causes and Effects.--Bad Examples furnished by the Gods.--Formation of the Sun and Moon.--Monumental Tombs to the Atuas.--Mawe and the boiste-

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CONTENTS.

rous Winds.--Traditional Origin of the Nation.--A miraculous Egg.--Traditions prevalent in the Bay of Plenty.--The East Cape.--Colossal Monuments.--Early Colonization.--Extraordinary Voyages, Emigration of Natives in 1836.--Treachery of the Emigrants.--Primitive State of Society.--Progress of Laws.--Effects of an Increase of Population.--Field open for British Enterprise ........11

CHAPTER III.

Division of the People into Tribes.--Origin of Chieftainship.--Chief of Uwoua, his Character and Discretion.--Is made Captive in Battle, and becomes a Family-Man.--His Person accounted as Sacred.--Effect of habitual Authority.--Term of Slavery.--Records of Polygamy.--Power of a Chief.--Hereditary Honours and Appellations.--Veneration for Genealogy.--Singular Customs.--Salutary Flagellations.--National Education.--Imitations.--Precocity of Children.--Generosity of Tribes.--An Unnatural Present.--Customs at Tahiti.--Rangatira's.--Second Grade of Chieftainship.--Marital Reproaches.--Cannibalism decried.--Importance of Marriage.--Accession of Lands.--The Warrior E'Ongi.--His Abilities.--Political Power.--An Amazonian Wife.--Value attached to Birth ........ 23

CHAPTER IV.

Respect paid to Children by the Adults.--Law of Primogeniture.--Power of a Parent or Master.--System of Presidency.--Absolutism of former Chiefs.--Power of Life and Death.--Inclinations of the People for Agricultural Pursuits.--Decrease of Power among the Chieftains.--Readiness of the Natives to amalgamate with British Colonists.--Loyalty of the People to their Chiefs.--Effects of Loyalty on the Language.--Sacred Feeling towards the Human Head.--Records on the subject.--Travelling in the South Sea Islands.--Causes why Chiefs rarely become Captives.--Inauguration of Strangers as Chiefs. --Presenta-

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CONTENTS.

tion of Gifts.--Abilities required in a Chief.--Their Revenues and Duties required from them. --Regal Injustice in the South Sea Islands.--Custom, of bestowing Names.--Anecdote.--Marriage Presents.--Anecdote.--Traits of Generosity.--System of Barter and Extortion.--Encroachments.--How to Handle a Nettle....... 34

CHAPTER V.

Ceremonies observed on the Birth of the Child of a Chief.--Chagrin when Deceived in the Sex. --Invention of the Priesthood.--Deities Taxed for Malignity.--Art of Improving Beauty.--Records on Fashion and Beauty.--Curious Dentition.--Baptismal Rites.--Form of Prayers to the Divinity.--Tithes.--Educational Records.--Occupation of Chiefs.--Allowed to Change their Tribe.--Obeisance observed towards their Wishes.--A Native Traveller.--Consequences resulting from a Refusal from Slaves to Work.-- Conduct requisite to obtain the Friendship of a Chief.--Intermarriages accounted necessary.--Right Divine.-- Chiefs act as Agents in Barter.--Honour of a Chief, how Compromised.--Anecdote.--False Conception.--Promise of Restitution.--Domestic Trick on the Writer ....... 47

CHAPTER VI.

Veneration entertained by the Natives for their Ancestors.--Divine Origin of Chiefs.--Eternal Abode.--Worship of the Living.--National Opinion on Europeans and Nations.--Practice of Hospitality.--Singular Necessity.-- Triumphal Entry.--Native Jesting.--Belief in Immortality.--Consolation in Dying.--Last Moments of an influential Chief.--Wailing of the Survivors.--Records of Lamentation and Cutting the Flesh.--Europeans supposed Callous to Grief.--Addresses to the Defunct.--Ornaments.--Face-Painting.--Lying in State.--Sacrifices of Human Victims.-- Its Discontinuation, how effected.--Prohibition or Tapu.-- Closing the Eyes and Superstitious Ideas.--Singular Cus-

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CONTENTS.

tom.--Anecdote.--Funeral Chants.--Funeral Deposits.--Probable Discoveries.--Curiosities Preserved Sacred........ 58

CHAPTER VII.

Offices of the Chiefs.--Sacred Victuals.--An European Convert.--Anecdote.--Acclamations of Grief.--Services of the Priesthood.--Feast of Exhumation.--Ceremonies undertaken by the Priesthood.--The Nature of the Prayers.--Requests put to the Deities.--Records of similar Festivals.-- Difference in Forms of Commemoration.--Sacrifices of Human Victims.--Causes of its Discontinuation.--Festival in Honour of Te Koki, an influential Chief.--Native Preparations.--Art of Beautifying.--New Uses for European Garments.--Modern Fashions.--Female Decorations.--Reception among the Villagers.--Mounting.--Native Horsemanship.--Customs of State.--Salutation.--How to obtain a Lion's Share.--Native Ton.--A Glance at a Native Carnival.--Painted People.--Public Introductions.--The Dance of Welcome.--Necessary Preparations and Introductory Movements.--The Haka.--Implements made use of by Dancers.--Efforts of the Ladies.--Feats and Songs accompanying the Dance.--Native Grimace.--Effect in Time of War.--The Tangi, or Lamentation.--The Pleasures of Grief.--Feelings engendered by Absence. ......... 72

CHAPTER VIII.

Description of the Feast.--Variety of the Fare.--Humours of the Fair.--Sports and Amusements of the Festival.--Native Auctioneer and Foreign Importations.--Native Manufactures.--Disputation for Bargains.--Customs in Favour of Females.--Its Consequent Effect.--Modern Influence of the Sex.--Graceless Curs.--Effect of Robbery.--Newly imported Sports.--Uncommon Dress.--The Kiwikiwi Bird.--Snares for its Capture ......... 91

CHAPTER IX.

Subjects for Oratorical Display and Legislation.--Suit-

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CONTENTS.

ing the Action with the Word.--Records of Feasting.--A Wary Orator.--Depreciating an Enemy.--New Readings of Tales and Traditions.--A Comical Narrator.--A Circle of Choristers.--Extempore Effusions.--The Evening Meal.--A Civic Display.--Hospitable Care of Strangers.--Discussions of Polity.--Effect of Refreshment.--On Future Wars.--Majority versus Minority.--Proposition for a Fishing Excursion.--Irritable Inuendos.--Agricultural Localities.--Pro and Con.--A Magician inculcates that Discretion is the Better Part of Valour.--Cogent Reasoning.--Tangible Argument.--How to Punish an Enemy.--Memorable Mishaps.--Turn of a Debate.--Further Sports.--The Breaking up and Departure by Land and Water ....... 99

CHAPTER X.

Deposit of the Priesthood.--Records of the Departed.--The Deceivers and Deceived.--The Tawa Moa, or Sacred Fight.--Attention paid to the Last Expression.--Supposed Prophecies.--Modern Discovery of Antiquities.--Nature and Causes.--Customary Prohibitions.--Posthumous Honours.--Its Records and Varieties.--Cemeteries in New Zealand.--Impiety in their Violation.--Punishments imposed on the Delinquent, and the Silent Indulging Curiosity.--Its Subsequent Effect.--Superstition in favour of Robbery.--Loss of Life in Bilking a Prohibition.--Anecdotes.--Weakness versus Cunning.--Impurity of Gazing.--Dying Childless accounted a Misfortune.--Records of the Fact.--Boasts of a Victor.--Death of an influential Chief.--His Children Reproached as Wanting in Duty.--Cause of Unappeasable Feuds.--Superstition Overcomes Revenge.--A Variety in Sacred Warfare.--Indispensable Requisite for a Dead Man.--Making Ghosts to Serve the Dead.--A Tomb near Kaipara ........ 107

CHAPTER XI.

Monumental Effigies of the New Zealanders, and Representations--Cemeteries, where situated.--Records of An-

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CONTENTS.

niversary and Pilgrimage.--Sepulchral Posts Described.--Substance.--Form.--Children, Where Deposited.--Tomb of the Father of Pomare and Muriwai.--Fears of the Population.--Haunting Spirits.--Doctrines of Transubstantiation.--Anecdote.--Colloquy between the Author and a Priest.--Religious Bias.--Superstition of a Guide.--Discovery of a Large Man in the Body of a Small Bird.--The Piwakawaka.--Symbolic Emblems to Commemorate Departed Greatness.--Records adducing the Fact.--Investiture of Deities with Human Passions.--Statements of the same.--Embalming as Practised by the Natives.--Records on this Subject.--Substitutes for Conjugal Partners ........... 119

CHAPTER XII.

Distinguishing Characteristics among the Native Females.--Practice of Staining their Lips.--Women, their Influence and Station in Society.--Exact Persuasive Eloquence.--Various Situations in Life.--Neglect of Education and its Effects.--Political Bias.--Difference in the Treatment of the Females in Australia and New Zealand.--Assertions on the Decadence of Nations.--Modesty and Reserve.--Anecdotes.--Precautions used in Bathing.--Decorum while in Company with Strangers.--Inviolability of a Bachelor.--Beauty of the Women.--Personal Manners.--On Marriages, divided into Three Systems.--Affiancing.--Anecdote.--Infamy of Celibacy.--Singular Punishments awarded to Bachelors.--Made liable to an Action.--Honours Bestowed on Married People.--Anecdote.--Novel Method of Perpetuating Friendship between Families.--Ready Complaisance of a Father and Husband.--Age assigned to Old Maids.--Relationship in Marriage.--Betrothing.--At what Period.--Courtship.--Its Contingent Dangers.--Marriage of Half-Sisters.--Elopements.--Danger accruing from the Practice.--On Plurality of Lovers.--Anecdote.--Ceremonial of Marriage and Forced Nuptials --Hymenean Rites, how conducted.--Feasting.--Friendly

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CONTENTS.

Robberies and Castigation--Concubinage.--Family Debates.--Marriage Presents given away.--Conjugal Commerce, its Cessation.--Primitive Method of taking a Wife .......... 129

CHAPTER XIII.

Marriage interdicted on Death of Relatives.--On Chastity.--Solecism in Habits.--Singular Feats to Boast of.-- Punctilio.--Brides made Blind.--The Living united to the Dead.--Remarks of Transient Travellers.--Chastity of Married Females.--Adultery, its Punishments.--Jealousy. --Polygamy, its Rise, Progress, and Effects.--The Superior or Chief Wife.--The Second Wives.--Handmaids and Slaves.--Causes of Domestic Disquiet and Interminable Quarrels.--Allowance of Pluralities.--Readiness of the Natives to impart Information.--Narrative of a Chief in Pursuit of an Addition to the Sum Total of Human Happiness.--Becomes Enamoured of a Village Belle.--Apparent Jest and Palpable Truth.--Wary Conduct of the Wily Chief.--Well-founded Alarm.--Change "from Grave to Gay."--A Hen-pecked Mate.--Spirit of Rivalry revived.-- A Reluctant Consent .......... 144

CHAPTER XIV.

Precautionary Measures.--Captive Women.--And Living Scape-goats.--Arrangement of Family Comforts.--Evils of Polygamy to Society.--Fracas among Slaves.--Adopt the Manners of their Mistresses.--Handmaids and Concubines.--Distinction without a Difference.--Respective Rank taken by Mistresses in a Household.--Female Supremacy.--Ardour of Female Affection in New Zealand.--Self Immolation of Women.--Conduct of Relatives on such Occasions.--Anecdote.--Lying in State.--Faithfulness to Europeans.--Pride and Obstinacy of Chief Females.-- Widows.--Divorce, its Institution and Causes.--Records on this Subject.--Means of procuring Separation by Men and Women.--Results of the System.--Conduct of Widows on the Decease of their Husbands.--Lucky and Unlucky Days for Marriage ............153

VOL I.

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XV.

Employment of the Women.--Method of Igniting Wood.--Records of the Occupation of the Sex.-- And its Analogy to Marriage.--Method of procuring Fire when Travelling.--Familiarity of Domestic Intercourse.--Picture of a Sleeping Apartment in a Village Family.--Primitive Furniture--Extra Lodgers.--Chanticleer and his mistakes.--Village Scenes.--Dog Chorusses.--Pursuits of the Villagers.--Occupations of the Men.--The Timber Trade.--Methods of Felling Heavy Trees, and conveying the Trunks to the Water.--Time and Tide to remove them.--Rivers in New Zealand ........... 163

CHAPTER XVI.

Flax Trade.--Mutual Jealousies of the Native Traders.--Aboriginal Pedlars.--Good Faith in Trading.--Net-making.--Carving.--Mental attention of the Natives.--Domestic Employment.--Weaving.--Looms.--Dress making.--Quillings.--Various kinds of Flax in use.--Similarity in the Dress of the Sexes.--Dispensations on the Subject.--Dyeing.--Variety in Dress.--Attitudes.--Legible characteristics of Internal change.--Mummy system.--Semi-Divided Females.--Girdles and Belts.--Transformations of Modern Costume.--State of Native Taste.--European Dresses.--How appropriated.--Fashions and Tastes ........... 171

CHAPTER XVII.

Opinions of the New Zealanders as to the Pursuits of Europeans.--Articles of Barter that meet with a ready sale.--On the importance attached to Time.--Feelings of the People towards Barter --On the Introduction of a Coinage and a Circulating Medium.--Spanish Dollars.--Their Divisions.--Money displacing Barter.--Weights and Measures.--Wily conduct of the Natives.--Trickery of Shipmasters, Effect of similar Freaks on Shore.--Variation in value throughout the Country.--Prices of European Goods in

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CONTENTS.

Sydney and New Zealand.--The Price of Labour.--Expenses attending the erection of a Flax House.--New Purchases beget additional wants.--The Truism illustrated.-- Remuneration for Native Labour.--Natives inured to Work.--Difference in the Employment of the People by Missionaries and Lay Residents.--Bodily Tactics.--Nautical abilities of the People.--Navigate in every Hemisphere.--Resemblance to British Seamen.--Native inclinations towards Farming.--Their Plantations .............. 182

CHAPTER XVIII.

Soils in New Zealand.--Their variety.--Mountains.--Geological Structure.--Plains.--Preparations for Farming.--Planting.--Inundations.--Draining.--Artificial Irrigation.--Seasons.--Farms visited by the Writer.--Incursions of the Pigs.--Singular Preventive to the Southward.--Early Implements of Agriculture.--The Materials employed.--Extraordinary value attached to Iron.--Voluntary Slavery.--Remarkable Compacts.--Operations of Fishing.--Methods employed.--Nets.--Their variety and extent.--Fishing Baskets.--Lines and Hooks.--Fishing Parties.--Spears.--Night Fishing.--Baiting.--Eel Catching.--Fears of the Fishermen.--Method of building Fishing Villages.--Variety of Fish around New Zealand enumerated.--Shoal Banks .......... 191

CHAPTER XIX.

The Construction of Houses.--Superstitions in connexion with them.--Inequality in Workmanship. --Ornamental Carvings.--House of Assembly.-- Materials employed.--Omissions of Doors, Windows, and Chimneys.--Lodgments for Travellers.--Village Museums.--Flax-Houses.--Kumera-stores.--Houses for Canoes.--Cooking.--Provision Platforms.--Curious Aerial Dormitories.--Further Superstitions ........... 204

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XX.

Mechanical Invention in Canoe Building.--Formation of them.--Progress of Labour.--Deficiency of Implements.--Description of a First-rate.--Extraneous Ornaments.--Hieroglyphic Painting.--Paddles.--Incitements used for propelling Canoes.--Native Carpenters.--Rope and Sail Makers.--Painters.--Carvers.--Canoe Navigation.--Substitute for Canvas.--The Tiaru.--The Moki.--Canoes of Raupo.--Anchors.--Celebrated Ports for the Manufacture of Canoes.--System of Exchanges.--Artistical Tribes.--Favourite Designs and Demands.--Carved Boxes ........... 217

CHAPTER XXI

Superstitions of Mankind.--Religion of the New Zealanders.--Form ascribed to the Deities.--Their dissimilarity and independence of each other.--Flattering Unction paid to them.--Worship of the Ancients, and Typical Representations.--Powers attributed to the Atuas.--Offerings to them.--Temples erected to their honour.--Their Metamorphoses and Tastes.--Food of the Atuas and their Ubiquity.--Mishaps produced by them.--Nature of Offerings.--Causes inducing Personal Misfortune.--Mistaken ideas on Images.--False Devotion.--Instance of Religious Fears--Lodgement of a Spirit.--Wrath imputed to the Spirit of a Person Drowned ........... 231

CHAPTER XXII.

Instances of Impiety in Man and Beast.--Impious action of Marcellus.--Atonements Necessary.--Superstition of the Aurora Australis.--Discovery of a Head.--Form of the Gods.--Tenements Inhabited by Them.--The Reinga.--Pugnacity of the Atuas.--Solemn Appeals.--Death met with Recklessness.--The Taniwoa.--Attributes ascribed to Them.--Lizards.--The Native Ceres.--The Winds.--Suppositions attached to Them.--Pleiades, and Celestial Planets.--Superstitions on Rays of Light.--Native Inter-

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CONTENTS.

polations and Opinions on Divine Revelation.--Investiture of their Deities with Mortal Passions.--Confusion in their Attributes.--Suppositions on the Creator. 239

CHAPTER XXIII.

On the Priesthood.--Adopted by the Aristocracy.--Their importance in War-time.--Auguries performed by them.--And Ancient Natives generally.--Anathemas.--Their supposed efficacy.--Ignorance of the Levites of the Atua they Address.--Are universally Consulted.--Anecdotes.--On the Shade of the Departed.--Mutual Jealousies of Priests.-- Tithes.--Their inefficiency.--Priests are even at an Argument.--Are not Bigoted.--Value of Prophesying.--Anecdote.--A Lucky Hit.--Superiority of Judicial Professors.--A View of the Happiness promised Hereafter.--Subjects of Belief among the Natives.--Divination.--Universality of its practice at Home and Abroad.--Origin of the practice.--Prudence of the Native Warrior.--Objects for which Astrology is performed.--The system of Lucky Days, and their Antithesis.--Instances comprised in Augury.--Necromancy of Nations.--Oracular Denunciations ............ 247

CHAPTER XXIV.

Systematic Divination.--Scene of Native Magic.--Partial Starvation insisted upon.--Star-gazers.--The Man-fish.--Its Heterodoxy.--Working of Predictions.--The best method to ensure a Fair Horoscope.--Non-resistance to Temptation.--Effect of Fortune Telling.--Belief in a Magician.--Prophetic Weather Almanacs.--Apologies for a Mistake.--Illnesses Exorcised.--Casting Nativities.--Predestination.--Scape-goats.--Charms.--And Native Anodynes.--Consideration paid to Dreams.--Their Importance during War.--Supposed Converse of Divinities.--Visions.--Ghosts.--Shadow of a Shade.--Anecdote.--Omens.--Ominous Dreams.--And Unlucky Appearances.--Second-sight.--Forbidden Sacrifices.--A Connubial Mistake.--Evil-eye.--Giants.--Dwarfs.--Ogres .............. 259

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CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XXV.

Religious Rites and Ceremonies in New Zealand.--When Performed.--How to Discover a Thief and the Weather.-- Symbolic Representations.--Inspiration of the Priesthood.--Canonized Beasts.--Native Fears.--A Vegetable Animal.--Characteristics attached to Whirlwinds, Waterspouts, Rainbows.--Native Dignity.--How Aggrieved and Accommodated.--Propitiating the Gods.--Prohibition or Tapu.--Its effects on Life in New Zealand.--Nature of the Oby, Grisgris and Fetish.--Belief in Reliquaries.--Interdict on Rivers.--Payment for Non-observances.--Objects subjected to the Tapu.--The Poapoa.--Offerings for Transgressions .......... 270

CHAPTER XXVI.

The Makutu, or Bewitching Human Beings.--Its Success.--The Konga or Malediction.--Incantatory Rites.--Cannibal Orgies.--On the Anathemas of the Ancients.--Extraordinary effects of Sorcery.--Oaths of the People.-- Reciprocity of Retribution.--Ancient Pledges of Fidelity.--Human Sacrifices.--Addresses of the Priesthood.--Wholesale Dissections.--Sacrificing to Moloch.--Method of its Performance.--Immolation of Children.--And Hecatombs of Human Beings.--Albinos and Victims Dedicated for the Month.--On Cannibalism.--General Disbelief existing on the Subject.--Reference to Writers alike regarded for their Ability and Veracity ........ 280

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PREFACE.

THE favourable reception given by the public to my narrative of Travels and Adventures in New Zealand, has induced me to present in like manner, a more systematic description of the manners, customs, habits, and usages of the singularly interesting people, comprising its inhabitants, at a time when general attention is fixed on that country, as offering an emporium for industry, capital, and commerce.

There does not exist any branch of knowledge that affords a higher gratification to the generality of readers, than descriptions of distant nations, and the countries they inhabit. In such narratives, curiosity is not only pleasingly interested, but information obtained, which ultimately may prove of

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PREFACE.

beneficial import in no ordinary degree. This remark refers to voyages and travels in general, but it applies more forcibly to New Zealand, it having already become a chosen home for some thousands of our countrymen, and presented for several years past, in its timber, fisheries, and agricultural produce, a mart for British enterprise.

In the volumes above alluded to, an endeavour was made to interest our legislators towards aiding by their support, the systematic colonization of those noble islands, already become an European colony without the aid or guidance, much less the fostering care of a mother country.

Many years have elapsed since the earliest British settlers in New Zealand have made the erect forest-trees subservient to the purposes of building, and its then secluded wilds, at that early period of its occupation by Europeans, deserted by its native inhabitants, but teeming with natural beauties, were pervaded with a solitary calm and stillness, such as is experienced in the chill frost of a winter's night, broken only by the chirping cricket, the feathered tribes of the forest, or their croaking neighbours in the adjacent marshes.

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PREFACE.

These spots have been already invaded by the busy hum of British mechanics, whose homesteads now present the appearance of dawning villages and settlements, the early germs of rising towns and cities.

The daily-increasing value to which the English Colonies on the four several coasts of Australia and Van Dieman's Land have arrived, imperatively demanded from the parent country the early occupation of this important outpost, and despite of a powerful clique, adverse to the interests of their fellow-countrymen, who were enabled for a time to oppose with some success the duty of the government, yet its occupation as British territory has been officially announced, and it now would be found as difficult for an individual to personally stem a torrent, as for an interested party to restrain the rapid colonization of New Zealand.

Though personally opposed in sentiment, towards the Government of New Zealand being vested in the power of private individuals, who could only have a knowledge of the country from report, and not from actual experience; yet the thanks of every person interested in the colonization of New Zea-

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PREFACE.

land must be awarded to the Earl of Durham, and the gentlemen who composed the New Zealand Company in 1825, fur their patriotic exertions in attempting to found a new mart for British enterprise, and sustaining in its pursuit, at the period referred to, a heavy pecuniary loss.

To the indefatigable exertions of this Company, on its revival in 1839, much of the interest taken by the government on this subject is to be ascribed; and though, I repeat, from the Crown alone do I wish to see the affairs of the colony administered, yet I nevertheless hope, that the sacrifices originally made by the steady promoters of the salutary measure, may not in justice pass unrewarded. My next attempt will be the description of such countries as merit the attention of Europeans, in reference to their ultimate colonization.