APPENDIX
[Image of page 365]
APPENDIX
[Image of page 366]
[Blank page]
[Image of page 367]
APPENDIX.
NOTE 1.
The voyage of Juan Fernandez, in 1576, is only found in Arias' Memorial to the King of Spain. The natives are said to be very well disposed; of noble stature, peaceable and civil. Fernandez intended to return, and kept in consequence the latitude and longitude of his discovery a secret. But the departure was delayed from day to day, until his death took place, when this important document was lost, and finally sunk in oblivion.
NOTE 2.
In the year 1613, some enterprising merchants, natives of the United Provinces of Holland, undertook to search for a passage south of Cape Horn; the principal persons were Isaac le Maire, of Amsterdam, Jan Clementz Kies, and Jan Janszen Molenwerf. This favourite topic was the subject of continual conversation among them. As the risk they had to incur was excessive,
[Image of page 368]
SHOUTEN AND LE MAIRE.
they previously demanded a recompense from the states general for the many difficulties they must naturally undergo in a navigation hitherto unknown. In answer to their request that the first six voyages should be granted to them exclusively, the first four were guaranteed, and in addition, a penalty of 50,000 ducats should be confiscated to their use by any persons attempting to defraud them of their rights, on the stipulation that the southern company (Compagnie Australe, as they called themselves, their quondam friends called them the gold seekers) made known to the states their report of the navigation and success. This decree 1 was dated March 26th, 1614.
An experienced ship master was procured in the person of Wilhelm Cornelisz Shouten, called in those days ship patron; (patron du navire) and to "make assurance doubly sure," another licence was procured from the Prince of Orange, certifying that "Jacob le Maire, captain and president of the two ships "Eendract and Hoorne;" and Wilhelm Cornelisz Shouten, had permission and authority from him to go to the kingdoms of Tartary, China, Japan, the East Indies, Terra Australis, islands and lands of the South Seas, to the Isle of Rotta, a small island S. W. of Timor, and the most southern then known of the eastern Archipel, to passage north and south, and others which they might discover, make alliances, etc.
"Signed
"Maurice de Nassau."
Dated May 13th, 1614."
[Image of page 369]
TASMAN'S VOYAGE.
The reader must be referred to the narrative of this celebrated voyage, whose destination at the time was kept a profound secret.
NOTE 3.
The journal of Tasman was first published in 1694 by Dirck Rembrantz van Nieross. Its value was instantly acknowledged, 2 by being translated into several European languages. Our countryman, Valentine, re-published the voyage in 1726, and it soon found its way into several collections. In 1770, shortly after the return of Mr. Banks from the South Seas, a manuscript journal of Captain Tasman was brought into England and purchased by that gentleman from its possessor. As it was written in the Dutch language, and the orthography according to that used in Tasman's time, a translation was requested and made by the Rev. C. G. Woide, under-librarian to the British Museum. In this manuscript Tasman's signature appears, accompanied with the word "Onderstout," (undersigned). Captain Burney, afterwards rear-admiral, who first published this translation, says it was a formality usually practised by those who inscribed their name; an example being quoted in the same journal, where the opinion of one of the steersmen being required is delivered in writing, "Onderstout by my, Peter N. Duytz," or, "Undersigned by me, Peter N. Duytz." "The manuscript in the British Museum, bound together with the translation) appears," says Captain Burney, "to be the iden-
[Image of page 370]
NEW ZEALAND FLAX,
tical journal delivered by Captain Tasman to the Governor General, Antony Van Dieman and council at Batavia."
NOTE 4.
New Zealand Flax, or PHORMIUM TENAX, in allusion to the leaves of this plant, being converted, among other uses, into that of baskets, flourishes in great abundance throughout the country, of which it is indigenous. It is most plenteously found in the vicinity of swamps, which abound throughout the interior, and does not perish by the salt water tide washing its roots. There are a variety of the species; principally caused by climate and soil; some flax plants, to the northward, scarce attaining the heighth of six feet; others, I have observed, to the southward, attained the height of sixteen feet. Portions of flax are to be seen adjoining almost every village--it is of incalculable service to the natives. In its natural state it is called korari or korali; when scraped or dressed, the common or inferior is called mooka; the superior sort, hoonga hoonga; the latter term is but rarely made use of. The natives make all their valuable apparel of the leaves of this plant; they also manufacture their fishing lines and every kind of cordage, and by splitting the leaves into strips, the fishing nets and seines are made, simply, by tying these strips together; some of the latter are of an enormous size. Sir Joseph Banks was the first discoverer of this staple, and says, "A plant, which, with such advantages, might be applied to so many useful and important purposes, would certainly be a great acquisition to England,
[Image of page 371]
OR PHORMIUM TENAX.
where it would probably thrive with very little trouble, as it seems to be hardy and to affect no particular soil, being found equally in hill and valley, in the driest mould and the deepest bogs." It has been growing in France for the last forty years, and has withstood the severity of a Parisian winter, and in the South of France, as might be naturally expected, it has flourished with great success. In the west also, near to Cherbourg, it has perfectly succeeded and yielded ripe fruit. It readily increases by dividing the roots. M. Faujas de St. Fond prepared the fibre in the following manner: he dissolved three pounds of soap in a sufficient quantity of water, together with twenty-five pounds of the split leaves of the flax, tied up in bundles. All were then boiled during the space of five hours, until the leaves were deprived of the tenacious gluten at the lateral end of them, but which is not removed by the ordinary process employed in the preparation of hemp; after which, they were carefully washed in running water. Flax plants have flourished in various gardens throughout England, and at Inverness in Scotland, without any shelter against the inclemency of a northern winter. The South of Ireland would be peculiarly adapted for this plant. The phormium tenax is now an inhabitant of various parts of the Continent. It is also indigenous to Norfolk Island, where it is seen along the cliffs within the influence of the salt water spray, rising from the heavy surfs which beat against the rocky coast of that beautiful garden of the Pacific. It is also a native of the Chatham Islands, and is of similar service to the people of that valuable little group. From the experiments of M, Labillar-
[Image of page 372]
NEW ZEALAND FLAX,
diere, the strength of the fibre of this plant, as compared with that of the Agave Americana, flax, hemp, and silk, is as follows:
The fibre of the Agave breaks under a weight of 7
Flax ......11 1/2
Phormium ....23 7/11
Silk .......24
Thus it appears of all vegetable fibres, the phormium is the strongest. It possesses this advantage over the hemp and flax, that it is of a brilliant whiteness which gives it a satiny appearance; so that the clothes made of it do not need to be bleached by a tedious process, or through those other means by which flax is injured. Flax is prepared in New Zealand by the females and slaves. The separating of the silky fibre from the flag-like leaf is thus performed: the apex is held between the toes; a transverse section is then made through the succulent matter at that end with a common muscle shell, which is inserted between that substance and the fibre, which readily effects its separation by drawing the shell through the whole of the leaf. It has been attempted in Sydney to withdraw the filaments from the leaves by maceration; but the large proportion of succulent matter rendered it impossible to effect the separation by decomposition in water, without materially injuring the strength of the fibre. Leaves of this plant are generally scraped as early as cut, as the thick gum is enclosed at the lower part of the leaf rising from either side in a pyramidal form, and adheres strongly when drying. The celebrated botanist, Peter Cunningham, Esq., observes: "Simple as appears this mode of separating the flax
[Image of page 373]
ITS SUPERIORITY OVER HEMP.
from the leaf by a shell in the hands of those savages, still the European has not succeeded in his endeavours to prepare the fibre for himself, either by that, or any other means that have been tried; nor has any instrument or piece of machinery yet been invented to enable him to strip off and prepare this valuable filament for the English market. The Port Jackson traders must still be dependant on the native women and their shells for the cargoes they obtain." The flax thus obtained by the merchants of Sydney undergoes no heckling, cleaning, or other preparation, previously to its being shipped for the English market; but is merely made into bales, by being put into a press and screwed down. It is subsequently manufactured into every species of cordage, excepting cables, and its superiority of strength to the hemp of the Baltic has been attested both by experiments made at Sydney and in the King's yards at Deptford. The phormium has been in use for many years past, made up into tacks, sheets, braces, stays, &c, and its superiority in bearing a great strain over hemp has been well attested. It is very elastic and strong. Mr. Cunningham made a professional trip with Captain P. P. King, in an exploring expedition on the coast of New Holland, in the colonial cutter, "Mermaid;" he says: "We bent a new main sheet at Port Jackson, which, in a cutter, is a rope on which there is ever much stress, and after nine months, returned from the north-west coast, and the rope was still good and serviceable, whereas of Baltic hemp, a main sheet by friction and strain would have been so worn at the close of our surveys on that coast, that it would have become indispensible to bend another to carry us
[Image of page 374]
NEW ZEALAND FLAX,
back from that shore to Port Jackson, the voyage being seven or eight weeks." Some attempts have been made to fabricate cloth of the phormium; but it has hitherto failed in every instance. Equally unfavourable have been the results on boiling the phormium with potash, the substance becomes too much reduced in strength as scarce to bear even weaving. The strength of the phormium doubtless is mainly assisted by the gum which bathes every fibre.
The root of the phormium is fleshy; a tuberiform rootstock, creeping beneath the surface of the soil, sending up many tufts of luxuriously growing leaves, from four to twelve feet long, and from two to three inches in diameter. They are distichous, vertical, coriaceous, and deep green, finely striated, ensiform; the margin and nerve, somewhat orange-red; at the base, the inner edge has a deep furrow, which sheathes the leaf immediately within it; and upon various parts of the surface a gummy substance flakes off in whitish spots; from the centre of these tufts arises a scape, often eighteen feet in height, bearing several branches, containing a number of beautiful crimson flowers, which contain a saccharine juice much esteemed by the natives. It is a handsome and vigorous plant. According to the statistical returns of New South Wales for 1828, the flax of the country to the extent of sixty tons, was exported from Sydney to England, valued at 2,600 pounds; in 1830, eight hundred and forty-one tons were exported; and in 1831, one thousand and sixty-two tons. Since which period, it has decreased every year. Its superiority over the Baltic hemp is established among rope manufacturers,
[Image of page 375]
ITS PROPERTIES.
and when fitting machinery is invented, in lieu of the present expensive method of procuring it, its public sales will be attended by more competition than at present, and will fetch a price of a more remunerating character than is now given for the article. I have thankfully to acknowledge being indebted to Sir William Jackson Hooker, the Linnaeus of our day, for much of this communication on the New Zealand phormium tenax. In the flax house, great care is taken no rain or fluid saturates these articles, as it changes the colour of the staple. Hitherto it has been found to take tar but very indifferently, so necessary in standing rigging.
The valuable properties of the flax grown on its native soil is unknown; all that has hitherto been brought to Europe has been hastily scraped from the plant in its wild state; but it doubtless requires that care in its culture, during its growth and manufacture, which the native of the soil has not the patience to undertake, even if he possessed the knowledge. Captain Duperrey says, in speaking of the phormium, in the letter-press accompanying his splendid atlas, "On se rappelle les essais nombreux et les eloges encore plus grands dont a ete l'objet, en France et en Angleterre cette substance; l'utile qui unit la beaute des filaments a une souplesse et une force superieure a celle du chanvre et du lin. Les Anglais ont tellement senti les avantages de cette plante vivace qu'ils ont tente plusieurs moyens pour se l'approprier.quot;
NOTE 5.
M. Duperrey gives us the following amusing deriva-
[Image of page 376]
376 M. DUPERREY'S DEFINITIONS.
tives of the names distinguishing the North Island, and part of the district of the Island of Victoria.
"C'est E'ka na mauvi qu'il faut dire, ce qui signifie le poisson du Mauwi, nom indiquant sans doute l'abondance des poissons sur les cotes de cette ile. Il est de fait, que la peche est une des grandes ressources des habitants pour leur nourriture."
"Teai poenammou signifie chez les Nouveaux Zelandais l'ile du poisson qui produit le jade vert; ces peuples paraissent nommer tawai quelque grande espece de baleine a laquelle ils attribuent la formation du beau jade axinien, qui sert a faire leurs casse-tetes et des objets de parure; peut-etre cette etymologie remonte-t-elle a d'anciennes idees mythologiques."
NOTE 6.
The most southerly group in Australasia was discovered in 1811, by a Sealing Master, who procured a cargo of eighty thousand skins of that amphibious animal, and were named MACQUARIE ISLANDS, after the governor of the colony of New South Wales. The principal island is about nineteen miles long, and six miles in breadth, containing two open anchorages. Notwithstanding the high latitude in which the group is situated, Macquarie Island is covered with vegetation, the land is uneven, indented by bights and ravines. At a little distance to the northward lie two rocky islets named the JUDGE and CLERK, two similar sterile islets lie to the south, that figure under the ecclesiastical appellation of the BISHOP and CLERK, the middle of the
[Image of page 377]
GEOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.
377
group is situated in 54 deg. 39' south latitude 156 deg. 21' east longitude.
CAMPBELL'S ISLAND was discovered in 1810 by the master of the ship "Perseverance." The land is high, about thirty miles in circumference; the coast is of a very rocky character, the interior is elevated land, from which emerge peaks of a very considerable height, the principal has a conical shape rising in a strait line from the surrounding mountains, various parts are covered with verdure, but producing only stunted trees. It is situated in 52 deg. 43' south latitude, 167 deg. 2' east longitude.
The AUCKLAND GROUP was first visited by Captain Bristow in the whale ship "Ocean." They are well covered with vegetation, from which several forests of trees of a large growth, and variety of species, flourish to a large size. These isles were formerly a favourite resort of sealing gangs, and are at present much frequented by whalers. The spars that are produced in the forests, are serviceable for ships masts, and a quantity of other timber of the pine tribe fitted for the shipwright is abundant; much of the indigenous shrubbery is similar to the productions in New Zealand. The only quadrupeds are rats; birds of beautiful plumage are very plentiful, whose melody resounds through the woods, which contain pigeons, parrots, parroquets, cucoos, hawks, flycatchers, and a variety of the palmipede genus. Fish are plentiful around the shores, and among the shell fish a muscle is particularly noticed as being fifteen inches in length. The climate is temperate and salubrious; the clothing of the forest perennial; good anchorage is also found. The principal island is twenty miles from north to south, in
[Image of page 378]
VARIOUS ISLANDS IN THE
breadth eight miles. The western coast is the most elevated; one mountain that rises to some height on this side, is visible fifty miles distant at sea in clear weather; the smaller islands are called ENDERBY, DISAPPOINTMENT, ADAM'S ISLANDS, geographical position in centre of the group, 50 deg. 40' south latitude, 164 deg. east longitude.
ANTIPODES ISLAND was discovered by Captain Pendleton of the sealing vessel"Union" in 1800, and received this appellative from being nearly antipodal of London. The land is of middling height, situated in 45 deg. 40' south latitude, 177 deg. 20' east longitude.
The BOUNTY GROUP was discovered by Bligh in 1788, on his passage to Tahiti; it has since been visited by sealing gangs, and whalemen. The group comprises thirteen islets, within a space of three and a half miles from north to south, 47 deg. 44' south latitude, l76 deg. 47' east longitude.
AU the above groups are deserted, and until within a few years, the favourite resort of sealers, who were in former years very successful. A far more interesting archipelago than any of the preceding is furnished for our contemplation in the CHATHAM ISLANDS, discovered on the 23rd of November 1791, by Lieutenant Broughton, who accompanied Vancouver in his survey of the north west coast of the American Continent, and named the country after the vessel that first conveyed Europeans in sight of its shores. Broughton anchored in the bay on the north side of the principal island. The natives assembled in numbers on the beech, though from the absence of any houses in the vicinity, the people were supposed to have been on a fishing
[Image of page 379]
VICINITY OF NEW ZEALAND.
excursion. The presents given by the Englishmen met with no returns in exchange, and though pres-singly invited to land by the islanders, their visitors hesitated, but thought proper after some time to do so, and took possession of the island by the fancied right of discovery in the name of his Majesty George the Third. The natives were armed with clubs and lances; between thirty and forty of them surrounded the Lieutenant, and began to show unequivocal signs of hostility, when that officer was obliged to discharge his piece in self-defence; upon the report of the musket, they were greatly astonished and alarmed; but as early as their fears abated they recommenced their menacing positions, when Broughton ordered the boat in shore, and prepared to embark. An officer named Johnson had his piece taken out of his hand, but he hastily recovered it, and on the natives hemming him in a circle with threatening gestures, to avoid being struck by a savage who aimed a blow at him, he fired, the Englishmen were pushed into the water, and on getting into the boat, a shower of lances and stones were hurled at them, but two persons only, were hurt. One of the savages was killed. Broughton to make evident his peaceable intentions, left in a canoe the various trifles he had brought with him on shore to conciliate the islanders.
The natives of the Chatham Islands are at present better known; they are descended from the New Zealanders, but have degenerated much from that people. Their manners, habits, laws and customs, are much the same; chieftainship is equally venerated; the priesthood have similar sway, and the signs of joy,
[Image of page 380]
CHATHAM GROUP.
grief, anger, salutation &c. bear an equal resemblance. Tattooing is not used. The stature of the people is smaller than that of the New Zealanders, with similar features and complexion; the dress is formed of seal skins, the hairy side being worn outwards. The hair is worn in similar fashions to their progenitors, and they delight in ornamenting themselves with feathers; they are vigorous and well made. Shells and teeth are accounted the ne plus ultra of ornaments, as bracelets, earrings, collars, &c. They are a lively, but timid people; the language is much the same as the dialect in New Zealand, either people understanding each other. The inhabitants were numerous; the account of the misfortunes that have been entailed on them by the reckless rapacity of an English trading master, has been detailed elsewhere, and unless some friendly government put a stop to the plan of extermination by cannibalism, now pursued by the New Zealanders located among them, not a single aborigine of the country will exist within a very few years.
The forests are well wooded, containing many large trees and penetrable to the traveller. The phormium is also abundant, and is made use of for fishing lines, dresses, etc. The villages contain many houses similar to those of the inferior class put together of bulrushes in New Zealand. The canoes are also similar, and carving designs on wood is practised. Lances form the weapons of war, some of them are seven feet in length; stones (without slings) and heavy clubs with knobs carved at the end. The cookery is by heated stones; the fern root which grows to a large size is also made use of as an article of food, as is the kumara (battata
[Image of page 381]
SMALL ARCHIPELAGOES.
convolvulus.) Birds, which are very numerous, were formerly seen to hover around the natives without fear. Fish is their principal sustenance, and hogs, fowls, goats, dogs, rats, etc., are common in the country; ducks, pigeons, parrots, hawks, and a variety of the palmipede tribe are common to the shores of their islands. The largest of the group is about thirty-six miles long from east to west; the others are less considerable, viz. the TWO SISTERS, PYRAMID and CORNWALLIS ISLANDS; this little archipel extends one hundred and twenty miles from S. E. to N. E., and is situated from 43 deg. 38' to 44 deg. 40' south lat., 179 deg. to 177 west, long.
A smaller group, bearing north of New Zealand, comprises the islands of CURTIS and MACAULEY, discovered by Captain Watts in the "Penrhyn" in 1788, and RAOUL and ESPERANCE, first seen by d'Entrecasteaux in 1793, called SUNDAY and HOPE ISLANDS in the English charts. These lands are moderately high; that of Sunday is the most elevated; it is about three leagues in circuit and well wooded; it has two small beaches on either side, and this group is the resort of the whale ships in the season; no less than thirty sail of shipping has been seen from one islet, called the FRENCH ROCK, employed in the sperm whale fishery. A few sailors reside on the islands which are situated in the space of from 29 deg. 20' to 31 deg. 28' south latitude from 178 deg. 43' to 179 deg. 36' east longitude, about three hundred miles due east of Bank's Peninsular, in the Island of Victoria.
NORFOLK ISLAND lies within three days' sail of New Zealand, and was discovered by Cook, who found the
[Image of page 382]
NORFOLK ISLAND,
place uninhabited, but covered with the most exuberant vegetation, very similar in species to the indigenous trees and shrubs of the latter island. The phormium flax grows to a large size, and several cabbage palms; but the most peculiar feature in the forests of the country is the magnificent araucaria excelsa commonly called the Norfolk Island pine. On the establishment of the colony of New South Wales from the arid quality of the soil, it was found highly necessary to procure a place that would help to supply the growing wants of the colonist. In consequence, an establishment was formed at this island that produced ample returns; in 1794 this small station furnished eleven thousand bushels of Indian corn (holcus indicus) to the parent colony, without which supply many persons would have perished for hunger, as had been previously the case. The free population afterwards evacuated the island, which was made a penal receptacle for the most abandoned class of felons. These criminals build houses, clear the ground for planting, open roads, and cultivate various farinaceous legumes for the public service, especially the maize or Indian corn. No females are allowed to live on the island. The land is elevated, the principal mountain is formed of bay salt, eleven hundred feet above the level of the sea. The rocks within the islands are chalk of a yellowish cast; lava of a red hue and porous is frequently met with. Plains or flat land is scarcely to be found, but mountains and ravines are numerous, small torrents are common in the gorges that separate the heights from each other, remarkably pellucid and impregnated with iron. The island is about twenty-one miles in circumference, and
[Image of page 383]
ITS BEAUTIES.
is situated in 29 deg. 2' south latitude, 165 deg. 42' east longitude. At the distance of five miles to the southward is a small islet named after Commodore Phillips, the first governor of the colony of New South Wales; the land is mountainous, about eight miles in circuit. The climate is very excellent, the air pure, soil very productive, and exhibits everywhere a fecundity truly beautiful. Almost every description of tropical fruits are easily produced; the land is covered with trees similar to those in the adjoining island, among other the celebrated pine that attains an almost incredible height. A gentleman long resident on this isle, measured one of these trees that had fallen; it was eleven feet in diameter at the. butt end, and at the height of seventy-five, measured eight feet in circumference; from this, the trunk inclined gently to the enormous length of two hundred and fifty-one feet. The blood wood, so termed from its hue, is found abundantly; among the fruits are successfully cultivated the citron, limes, guavas, vines, pomegranates, figs, coffee, and many others, that line the sides of the ravines and hilly flats, that arrive to the greatest perfection; the sugar cane and tobacco plant have been equally productive, together with a number of the umbelliferous tribes.
Norfolk Island possesses several well formed roads leading into the interior, without which the brush is so entangled it would be impossible to penetrate into the interior. The views in the country are very beautiful and romantic, the island has not been inaptly termed the garden of the Pacific. The only quadrupeds are the cats and rats which were introduced.
The military establishment is situated on the south
[Image of page 384]
HOWE'S GROUPS.
side of the island. Landing is extremely difficult in the attainment, in consequence of a heavy surf continually lashing these rocky shores. Ships have been sailing on and off the island for several weeks together, unable to land the passengers or freight; the want of even a roadstead must ever prove a sensible drawback to the prosperity of these islands. This quarter of the globe is subjected to the infliction of hurricanes that blow with a fury that is scarcely to be conceived; the heaviest proceed from the southward, that often tear up large trees by the roots.
The small group of HOWE'S ISLANDS closes the account of the minor archipelagos in the vicinity of New Zealand, and included together with Australia under the title of MELANESIE by modern French geographers.
It is composed of two small islands, discovered by Captain Ball in 1788. The land is very high, the space they occupy is six miles from N.N.W. to S.S.E., At the distance of nine miles a very remarkable conical shaped rock rises directly from the ocean; the shore is steep, it is known as BALL'S PYRAMID. The principal land is inhabited by some seamen; good anchorage is afforded, it is situated in 31 deg. 31' south latitude, 156 deg. 50' east longitude.
MIDDLETON ISLAND was discovered by Lieutenant Shortland, in 1788. It is elevated land; a remarkable peak rises from the interior that is visible in clear weather at sea to the distance of twenty miles. Its position is S.S.E to N.N.W. in 20 deg. 10' south latitude, 157 deg. 30' east longitude. Between the above islands are situated the dangerous reefs of MIDDLETON and SERINGAPATAM.
[Image of page 385]
GEOGRAPHICAL DATA
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITIONS of various principal PORTS, RIVERS, HEADLANDS, &c., in the Islands of New Zealand, and from observations of Cook, Vancouver, Duperrey, Herd, d'Urville, and La Place. The Islands are situated, according to Cook, between the latitudes of 34 deg. and 48 deg. south longitude; 181 deg. and 194 deg. west longitude, being the mean of innumerable observations and a transit of Venus. The following abbreviations indicate the authorities that have been consulted.
T. Tasman, C. Cook, V. Vancouver, Dy. Duperrey, H. Herd, D'U. D'Urville, F. Furneaux, G. Grey, Bn. Broughton, Lp. Laplace.
| |
L
|
atit
|
ude
|
S.
|
Long
|
|
de E.
|
| NORTH ISLAND, OR E'AINOMAWE
|
D'E
|
34
|
13
|
10
|
169
|
49
|
45
|
| Three Kings, N. E. island, N. E. point,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| mean..........................
|
H.
|
34
|
12
|
8
|
172
|
22
|
48 W
|
| |
D'U.
|
34
|
13
|
35
|
169
|
49
|
50 E
|
| North Cape......................
|
|
34
|
26
|
30
|
170
|
18
|
0
|
| " " "
|
H.
|
34
|
24
|
29
|
173
|
9
|
48
|
| Mount Camel...................
|
D'U.
|
34
|
49
|
0
|
170
|
48
|
25
|
| Doubtless Bay, Point Surville........
|
ft
|
34
|
54
|
55
|
171
|
14
|
20
|
| Wangaroa Entrance...............
|
tf
|
35
|
2
|
30
|
171
|
25
|
10
|
| Ditto............................
|
Dy.
|
35
|
45
|
0
|
---
|
---
|
---
|
| Cavalhoes Islands, Northern point. Mo-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| tu Kawa......................
|
H.
|
34
|
58
|
28
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| |
D'U.
|
35
|
9
|
28
|
171
|
49
|
40
|
| Ditto, middle of the Entrance.....
|
Dy.
|
35
|
15
|
6
|
171
|
5
|
16
|
| ----------------------Percy Island....
|
D'U.
|
35
|
10
|
|
171
|
1
|
20
|
| -----------------------Whale Rock, Nu-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| nuki.........................
|
Dy.
|
35
|
14
|
|
171
|
35
|
25
|
| -----------------------Tipuna........H&
|
&D'U.
|
35
|
10
|
25
|
--
|
----
|
----
|
| -----------------------Ditto..........
|
Dy.
|
35
|
11
|
10
|
171
|
43
|
28
|
| Kororarika Bay.................
|
H.
|
35
|
15
|
45
|
174
|
15
|
55
|
| |
Lp.
|
35
|
14
|
36
|
171
|
49
|
7
|
| Cape Brett, South Headland........
|
Dy.
|
35
|
10
|
20
|
172
|
0
|
40
|
| Poor Knights, North Isle, North Point
|
D'U.
|
35
|
27
|
28
|
172
|
24
|
35
|
| Wangari, or Bream Bay, Tewara,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| North Point....................
|
" " "
|
35
|
50
|
40
|
172
|
14
|
30
|
| |
H.
|
35
|
51
|
32
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| Thames, Point Rodney..............
|
C&H.
|
36
|
20
|
--e
|
--
|
|
--
|
| -------- Colville.................
|
H.
|
36
|
26
|
29
|
175
|
22
|
0
|
| River, four feet anchor...........
|
C&H.
|
37
|
5
|
15
|
175
|
25
|
30
|
| Waiheke Island .................
|
D'U.
|
36
|
42
|
30
|
172
|
50
|
6
|
| Port Charles, East Point........------
|
"
|
36
|
29
|
48
|
173
|
7
|
45
|
| Mercury Bay, entrance...........
|
H.
|
36
|
48
|
1
|
173
|
26
|
25
|
| Mayor Island, or Tuhua, North Point
|
D'U.
|
37
|
l6
|
10
|
173
|
54
|
30
|
[Image of page 386]
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION
| |
L
|
atit
|
ude
|
S.
|
Longi
|
tude
|
E.
|
| Tauranga Harbour .............
|
D'U.
|
37
|
37
|
0 -
|
174
|
51
|
30
|
| Makatu ditto, or Town Point.....
|
|
37
|
46
|
30 1
|
174
|
7
|
20
|
| Mount Edgecumbe...............
|
>>
|
37
|
50
|
40
|
174
|
41
|
25
|
| Cape Runaway, or the Kaha.......
|
,,
|
37
|
33
|
0
|
175
|
47
|
40
|
| Wakari, or White Island..........
|
H.
|
37
|
30
|
46
|
m
|
14
|
45W
|
| Hick's Bay, or Warre Kahika......
|
D'U.
|
37
|
36
|
0
|
176
|
V
|
OK
|
| |
H.
|
37
|
44
|
30
|
178
|
36
|
15W
|
| East Cape Islet, Wanga Okino......
|
D'U.
|
37
|
42
|
20
|
176
|
20
|
35E
|
| Mountain of Ikorangi. ............
|
ft
|
37
|
55
|
30
|
175
|
55
|
25
|
| Tokomaru, North Point............
|
|
38
|
|
|
176
|
|
25
|
| Uwoua, North Point..............
|
V.
|
38
|
21
|
0
|
178
|
37
|
E
|
| " " "
|
D'U.
|
38
|
20
|
45
|
176
|
4
|
50W
|
| Gable End Foreland, or Parre nui te ra
|
" " "
|
38
|
30
|
52
|
175
|
5
|
27
|
| Kuri, or Young Nick's Head, south..
|
|
38
|
47
|
25
|
175
|
46
|
35
|
| --------head of Poverty Bay, or Tu-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| runga .........................
|
C
|
38
|
43
|
30
|
178
|
0
|
19E
|
| Table Cape, or Nukutourua, South
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Point.........................
|
D'U.
|
39
|
20
|
0
|
175
|
35
|
15W
|
| Cape Kidnapper..................
|
|
39
|
40
|
55
|
174
|
48
|
20
|
| Cape Palliser, or Koua Koua.......
|
|
41
|
37
|
40
|
173
|
1
|
5
|
| Ditto...........................
|
H
|
41
|
34
|
40
|
173
|
4
|
0
|
| Port Nicholson, or Wanga nui Atera
|
>>
|
42
|
22
|
7
|
174
|
51
|
15
|
| ISLAND OF VICTORIA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
T.
|
42
|
10
|
0
|
189
|
3
|
E.
|
| Cape Tierrawiti, or Poriwero .....
|
H.
|
41
|
18
|
47
|
174
|
42
|
45W
|
| Queen Charlotte's Sound............
|
ft
|
41
|
5
|
30
|
174
|
25
|
45
|
| Ship Cove ditto..................
|
|
41
|
7
|
5
|
174
|
20
|
|
| Ditto............................
|
C.
|
41
|
5
|
564
|
174
|
25
|
7E.
|
| Maunga nui......................
|
H.
|
41
|
19
|
4
|
174
|
5
|
W.
|
| Cloudy Bay, North Point.........
|
D'U.
|
41
|
26
|
45
|
171
|
58
|
25E.
|
| -----------South ditto............
|
|
41
|
32
|
41
|
171
|
56
|
28
|
| Cape Koamaru...................
|
|
41
|
7
|
15
|
172
|
7
|
30
|
| Cape Campbell....................
|
|
41
|
40
|
|
172
|
7
|
12
|
| Ditto...........................
|
H.
|
41
|
33
|
16
|
174
|
15
|
0W
|
| Bank's Peninsular................
|
C.
|
43
|
32
|
0
|
186
|
30
|
E.
|
| Port Otago.....................
|
H.
|
45
|
46
|
28
|
170
|
36
|
45W
|
| Saddle Hill......................
|
ft
|
45
|
57
|
0
|
170
|
15
|
0
|
| Cape Saunders. .................
|
|
45
|
53
|
55
|
170
|
33
|
30
|
| Ditto............................
|
c.
|
45
|
35
|
0
|
180
|
4
|
E.
|
| STEWART'S ISLAND.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Southern Port, S. Id.............
|
H.
|
47
|
11
|
31
|
167
|
26
|
45W
|
| Broad Passage....................
|
|
47
|
11
|
0
|
|
|
----
|
| |
|
47
|
13
|
46
|
----
|
----
|
----
|
| Cable Island......................
|
it
|
47
|
12
|
55
|
167
|
26
|
30
|
| South Cape.....................
|
ft
|
47
|
17
|
25
|
167
|
18
|
30
|
| Ditto.........................
|
C.
|
47
|
19
|
0
|
172
|
12
|
E.
|
| South-west Cape. .................
|
H.
|
47
|
16
|
37
|
167
|
14
|
30W
|
| South Trap Rock................
|
|
1*7
|
29
|
43
|
167
|
36
|
30
|
| North Trap....................
|
H
|
47
|
23
|
7
|
167
|
42
|
30
|
[Image of page 387]
OF THE ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
L
|
atitu
|
|
S.
|
Longi
|
tud
|
e. E.
|
| Scares Islands, anchorage.........
|
V.
|
8
|
3
|
48
|
66
|
26
|
|
| Anchor Island...................
|
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
166
|
5
|
0
|
| Solander's Island, or Codfish.. ......
|
C.
|
46
|
31
|
0
|
92
|
49
|
0
|
| West Cape............, ......
|
"
|
45
|
54
|
0
|
93
|
7
|
0
|
| ISLAND OF VICTORIA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Dusky Bay......................
|
" "
|
45
|
7
|
0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| Ditto, North Point...............
|
"
|
45
|
38
|
0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| Pickersgill Harbour................
|
it
|
45
|
47
|
26
|
166
|
18
|
0
|
| Rocky Point......................
|
D'U.
|
0
|
54
|
0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| Cape Foulwind.................
|
|
41
|
46
|
5
|
169
|
8
|
40
|
| Cape Farewell...................
|
|
40
|
33
|
|
186
|
0
|
|
| Ditto............................
|
D'U.
|
40
|
30
|
55
|
170
|
26
|
30
|
| Cook's Streights, or Rau Koua......
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Stephen's Island.................
|
G.
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
171
|
50
|
19
|
| Two miles N. E. of ditto, ..........
|
C.
|
40
|
37
|
0
|
185
|
6
|
0
|
| Entry Island, or Kapiti...........
|
G.
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
172
|
34
|
21
|
| NORTH ISLAND
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
D'U.
|
39
|
24
|
0
|
--
|
----
|
, --
|
| Kawia.........................
|
|
38
|
40
|
0
|
----
|
----
|
----
|
| Waingaroa...................
|
|
38
|
24
|
c
|
----
|
----
|
|
| Waikato........................
|
ft
|
37
|
59
|
0
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| Manukou........................
|
|
37
|
39
|
37
|
, --
|
----
|
--
|
| Kaipara. .........................
|
Dy.
|
36
|
35
|
37
|
--
|
--
|
--
|
| Hokianga, South Head, or Araitehuru
|
H.
|
35
|
32
|
;
|
173
|
31
|
45W
|
| Ditto North do...................
|
|
35
|
31
|
22
|
173
|
31
|
45
|
| |
|
35
|
17
|
19
|
173
|
22
|
17
|
| Reef Point........................
|
H
|
35
|
10
|
25
|
173
|
12
|
17
|
| |
B
|
45
|
54
|
0
|
176
|
13
|
0E
|
| |
|
29
|
|
30
|
168
|
18
|
0
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 7.
I have had occasion previously to state, the surpassing splendour of a New Zealand forest, abounding in almost innumerable species of trees, principally of a serviceable nature to Europeans.
1 The tree which has hitherto attracted most attention has been the Kauri or yellow pine (pinus Australis) g. coniferae; which will challenge comparison for beauty and tapering height, with any forest tree at present known. Its bark is very glabrous, leaves, small and narrow, giving with its well clothed head,
[Image of page 388]
FOREST TREES.
an umbrageous shade below, causing a continual twilight of gloomy grandeur. This tree exudes a large quantity of gum. The trunk grows to the height of from fifty to hundred feet without a branch. The western coast produces the best timber and largest of the tribe, probably from the effect of stormy winds, which have a serviceable effect in stopping its hasty growth. This timber has much diminished in quantity, in almost every district, and at the present moment some large ships are loading with spars of this staple only. The growth of the Kauri is confined, on the east coast, to the forests of Mercury Bay, and to Port Manukou on the west side of the island. In every forest worthy of the name, to the north of the above places, this tree is found. The natives have hitherto only made use of those, that have bordered the edges of rivers, for the forming of their canoes, having no mechanical knowledge, to remove such solid weights of timber to the water. Thus the innumerable forests of these trees inland, would not be made use by natives in their present state, for twenty generations to come. These forests many miles from the sea coast have been well trodden, but never touched for useful purposes by the hands of man. The attention of the British Government was first called to the value of the timber of the country by Cook; but an attempt to procure a cargo, was not made until 1820, when the store ships "Dromedary and Coromandel," were sent expressly for this purpose from England, and a small vessel the "Prince Regent" from Sydney. Few of the Kauri pine spars were procured by these vessels, their lading principally consisting of the
[Image of page 389]
VARIETY IN THE PINE TRIBE.
inferior white pine, called Kahikatea; this injured the name of the yellow pine, which has since been found, on long trial, to equal in flexibility the best northern firs, and has been made use of as main and top masts in some of our largest frigates in the navy. It is very buoyant in the water, tough, stringy, and often twisted; it has a handsome close grain lightly tinged yellow, and a strong odour, peculiar to itself; it has been much used for sawing purposes by the English residents located for the last twenty years in the country. As such it is admirably adapted for boards, plank-scantlings, either for housebuilding or planking a ship's sides, decks, &c. A house built of this wood, with proper attention, will remain in order for fifty years; for treenails, bulwarks, wedges, it is also serviceable. It planes smooth, for oars it has not the flexibility of our ash. It would be much superior to the best Riga spars, but for its being somewhat brittle. The young Kouris have an ungraceful appearance, but few trees equal it in outward beauty when grown to maturity. The bark requires to be knocked off the trunk, soon after the tree is felled, when it easily peels off; otherwise it hardens, and becomes very tenacious. Many of these trees have been seen forty feet in circumference. The sap inclines to that side of the tree which is most shaded from the rays of the sun, and is found from three to seven inches thick. When the tree is felled, this matter soon rots, and is early reduced to powder by a small worm that feeds on it. The gum is not soluble in water; it has a strong taste of turpentine, it may be serviceable as a varnish, but
[Image of page 390]
PINUS AUSTRALIS.
hitherto it has resisted every method made use of to destroy its brittleness. The spars contracted to be furnished by respectable traders in Hokianga and the river Thames, or Mercury bay, to the British Government, are required to be in length, from seventy-four to eighty-four feet long) from twenty one to twenty-four inches in diameter, perfectly straight, without the knots caused by branches.
2 The Kahikatea (treniperus Novae Zelandicae) g. coniferae, is very similar in outward appearance to the Kouri, for which it has been often mistaken by strangers, and the superficial observer will find some practice necessary, to discriminate between the difference of the trees. The name by which it is distinguished, is that of white pine; it is found in forests, but principally in alluvial or swampy soils. It has a majestic appearance when surrounded by the smaller, and less aspiring trees of the forest. The leaves are sharp, and similar to the yew, and a berry, which, when ripe, has a red hue, are held in much esteem, as a fruit by the natives. The timber is very light in colour and weight, and exceedingly sappy, and the weather produces on the plank of this tree a barometrical effect, for after it has been worked up as inside lining for rooms, for which it is most calculated, it shrinks and gives with every change of weather, even after the lapse of years. From the scarcity of the Kouri in the sawing districts, Kahikatea is much used. The jovial fraternity of sawyers, who, when they commence, which is whenever they have the opportunity afforded them, "drink deep 'ere they
[Image of page 391]
GENUS CONIFERS.
depart" admire this wood, from its softness, and the ease with which they can cut it up.
3 Tanikaha (pinus asplenifolius) g. coniferae, is a very valuable species of pine, very serviceable to the shipwright and general builder. This wood is hard and tough. It is less effected by change of season, than any other pine in the country; it seldom is seen beyond the height of fifty feet, with a circumference of twelve feet. It is remarkably durable, but suffers much from worms, when exposed to mud or water, it being perforated like unto a honeycomb, and yet retains its pristine hardness. The bark is curiously ringed by natural distinct projections, about the distance of six inches from each other. The leaves are similar to those of the Tamarind tree, of the East and West Indies. It is in much request for quarterings, staunchions and exposed flooring, such as for ship's decks, verandas, threshing floors, &c. It exudes less gum than others of its tribe, has less sap, and of a darker hue.
5 Totara, (taxus australis) g. coniferae, similar in colour to the former wood, and is known as red pine. It grows to the height of sixty feet, with a circumference often above twenty feet. The timber is brittle, snapping short, and splits well into shingles, it is very serviceable to the builder. This tree is a great favourite among the natives, especially to the southward, who make their canoes principally of the Totara. It flourishes best on the west coast, where it often grows thirty feet in circumference. It is found on the banks of rivers of a size so immense, as to give a name
[Image of page 392]
FOREST TIMBER TREES
to the locality in which perhaps a single tree is to be found only. This tree is very hardy, the roots spread themselves in all directions, very much elevated from the adjacent soil which the rains wash away. The trunk has a smooth surface, and the sun splits the outer bark in appearance, as if choped by an axe. This tree has but little sap, and works well, though the grain often runs uneven, it is very heavy, and not much affected by change of weather after being seasoned.
The Rata (Calistemon Zelandicae), is an invaluable wood to the shipwright. The branches of this tree are twisted in a natural manner, that form, when dressed, excellent timbers for the largest ships. It grows to the height of sixty feet, and the head and branches extend very far; the wood is close grained and stringy, and when polished, of a deep mahogany red, the grain is remarkably handsome, and well fitted for furniture. The girth of this timber is often full twenty feet, growing at the base remarkably large, with straggling tough roots, that run above ground. The leaves do not appear, but at the extremities of the branches which give an umbrageous shade. It is a very hardy tree.
6 The Pohutokaua or Potikawa (Metrosideros excelsa), is of the same genus as the preceding, solely differing from the exposed situation of the latter. This is the hardiest of timber trees, and is found jutting out in immense crooked limbs from every nook however craggy, or exposed rocky headlands on the sea side, and surprises the traveller, that so many cubical feet of timber can be attached to its station, with the ex-
[Image of page 393]
OF AN INDURATED NATURE.
tremely scanty proportion of soil around its stem. It is well adapted for ship timbers, is crooked, close grained, brittle, tough, and of deep brown colour. It is difficult to work up by the joiner, for its extreme hardness, but when polished, forms a beautiful and durable article for furniture. Early in the summer the polypetalous branches are clothed with large flowers, of a lake or crimson hue, of the polyandria species, with a quantity of stamens, covered on the extremities with a light yellow dust; the limbs often equal the trunk in diameter.
7 The Puriri (Metrocideros florida or quercus Australis), is a wood whose durability equals any of the timbers in the country; it is very tough and close grained, and has been termed the Oak of the Pacific; but the Teak would be more appropriate, as its properties more resemble the latter wood; similar to that eastern production, it does not lessen in value by lying exposed in salt water, is equally hard, and of a pale olive colour. This wood has been taken out of a river, where it had been used as a stake to fasten canoes, for perhaps upwards of twenty years, and has been found to be in no degree affected by the immersion or by the worms. This timber has but little sap, being of an oleaginous nature; the trunk grows often to the height of thirty feet without a branch protruding, which are crooked, and of large size in diameter, and extend far distant from the parent stem, it is usually faulty at heart; but except causing it to be cut as plank to disadvantage, it does not injure the wood; it is well adapted as blocks under houses, sleepers for wharfs, ground sills,
[Image of page 394]
FOREST TIMBER TREES
timbers for the largest shipping, and any work in which durability and strength are required. As blocks for shipping and beams, this wood is unsurpassed; it is very heavy, and has an odour peculiar to itself when cut green. The Puriri, similar to the Totara, is often found by itself on the banks of rivers, giving from its immense size and profusion of umbrageous leaves, an appellation to the district in its vicinity. The latter are frontated, and it flowers in spring.
8 The Rimu, (cupressinum,) is one of the most graceful trees of the country. The wood is tough and brittle; the grain very beautiful when polished, and will be much admired by future connoisseurs in ornamental woods. Its appearance inclines most to the cypress; the branches are similarly pensile to that symbol of sacred sorrow. The tree grows to the height of sixty and seventy feet, with a circumference of about twelve feet. It has minute asperifolious leaves, and thrives best in alluvial soil. Its bark is rough, and the trunk geniculated; but the nodules do not project much. This tree is common in the land; it exudes a hard gum, strongly impregnated with turpentine.
9 The Kaikatoa, (Philadelphia Australis.) a polyanthus, called the tea plant from its leaves possessing the same myrtiform character. This petalous shrub grows in argillous soil on the most barren plains, and is invariably found covering jutting headlands, exposed to the fury of the. heavy gales that blow from every quarter; in such places it grows from three to six feet; but in well sheltered forests, it attains the height of thirty feet. It is denuded of branch leaves below; but towards the top it is well covered; in addition to innumerable
[Image of page 395]
OF AN INDURATED NATURE.
buds, which flower throughout the year, bearing white and pink blossoms. This flosculous appearance embellishes the plains, and emits an odour that renders fragrant the country in its vicinity. The leaves also possess a strong aroma, and are used by resident Europeans. An infusion of this herb is regarded as peculiarly serviceable to persons in a reduced state, whose previous moralities will not admit of the strictest investigation. It is very astringent. This wood, called to the southward, Manuka, is remarkably hard and durable, and throughout the country is an especial favourite with the natives, who make their spears, paddles, fishing-rods, &c, of this useful timber. It has an oleaginous moisture, scarce any sap, and similar in colour to our oak. The small shrub is used in abundance as broom stuff by residents and shipping, and when green, burns with, perhaps, a greater rapidity than when dry. The Kaikatoa, in the Island of Victoria, grows often to the height of fifty feet, the temperature being more agreeable to this hardy tree. A very similar wood exists to the southward, called Rohito, of which carved boxes, for holding small trinkets and feathers, are made by the people.
10 The Hinou is a handsome tree. Its plank is very frangible on exposure to the sun or air. It is in much request by the native tribes, who make use of the bark for dying jet black the threads of the muka or dressed flax, of which they either wholly make, or interweave with, their superior garments. The bark, which is comminutible, is kept some time immersed in water, and this infusion forms the dye. The leaves are cus-pated and very poracious.
[Image of page 396]
FOREST TIMBER TREES
11 Towa, (laurus Australis) is a useful timber for boarding the interior of houses; and, though entirely differing in genus or outward appearance from the graceful Kahikatea, is of similar short lived service to that wood. It attains a large size; its branches are irregular; leaves cuspated and colour of crysolyte; it cuts easily.
12 The Towai, (a podocarpus) is but a small tree compared with those preceding. Its wood is very serviceable, being tough and close grained. It has a handsome deep red colour when polished. It grows to the heighth of twenty-five feet, and then is richly furnished with virent leaves. The wood is heavy and but little used hitherto.
13 The Rewa rewa, (pinus rewarewa,) is a handsome grained wood, very serviceable to the builder and joiner. Until well seasoned it is much given to shrinking. It is of a white or slightly tinged with yellow cast, and admits of being used as an inside lining to rooms, to which it adds a handsome appearance. It works freely and planes smooth. The grain is very variegated. It flowers in spring, with serrated leaves somewhat frontated. It grows to the height of sixty feet; but from its small diameter compared to other timber in its vicinity, it has hitherto been seldom made use of.
14 Tarairi, (laurus tarairi,) is among the least valuable of timber trees. It is bacciferous, bearing a dark purple berry, on which the wild pigeon feeds heartily. The taste is particularly acrid. The leaves are frontated, with the polished surface and size of the handsomest laurel.
15 The Kowai, (Edwardsia mycrophylla,) is met with
[Image of page 397]
OF AN INDURATED NATURE.
principally on the banks of rivers; it is a serviceable wood; growing to the height of fifty feet, and five feet in circumference. In the season of spring this tree makes a beautiful appearance, being entirely covered with bright chrome or golden coloured flowers, which hang corymbriated, and succeeded by long pendulated pods, the especial food of the Tui and other birds. Its beauty is not dimmed by the reflection in the adjacent stream. It has but little sap, with straggling branches. It flowers in September. The timber is hard and durable; in use for paddles, &c.
16 Mairi or maidi, (cedrus Zelandicae,) is the closest grained and toughest of woods in the country. It is found to grow largest on the west coast, where it attains the height of sixty feet. It is extremely durable, and so very hard as to turn the edge of the tools applied to it. In ship-building it is very serviceable, but very brittle. It has a cuspated leaf and branches out very irregularly. The grain is not unlike the European beech. It has little or no sap, very heavy, and not affected by the climate.
17 The Kawaka grows to the height of thirty feet. It is a handsome dark coloured wood when polished; ser-viceable to the joiner; and from its small diameter, about two feet at most, it has not been hitherto much sought after; as the most useful and not ornamental has been hitherto required.
18 The Kahika is a useful wood, but little known from a similar cause with the above.
19 The Ti is a useful close grained wood, well adapted for handspikes. It grows to forty feet with crooked branches.
[Image of page 398]
FOREST TIMBER TREES
20 The Akki, (lignumvitae,) when young is much used for boat timber, and, when cut fresh from the bush, it can easily, with the aid of the spoke-shave, be put into any shape; and when it dries in a few hours, it will not change the form it may be placed in. The tree grows crooked with a diameter of nine inches. It admits of a polish, and has a beautiful deep red. grain; few woods are better fitted for cabinet work. It has little sap, and works easily when green; but from its many nodules, which render it very brittle when dry, it is found of difficult workmanship.
21 The Kohikohi another of the many laurel trees of the soil, grows to the heighth of fifty feet. This tree may be regarded as one of the ornamental woods that has yet to come into use. The leaves are similar in shape and polish to our laurel, and of this tribe, is remarkable for spreading its roots to a great distance. The wood is of deep red colour, and works well. For paling it splits free.
22 Manawa and Tuputupu, two varieties of the well-known mangrove, cover the mud banks of the rivers and creeks of the country in which they flourish most. These trees sometimes grow to the height of twenty-six feet before they branch, eight feet of which is submerged in the salt water during the flood tides, which, retreating at the ebb, leave the trees and roots uncovered. Often the branches, leaves and seed, are under water several hours twice per diem. When these trees commence to grow they are often entirely under salt water for years. Oysters and other shell fish, muscles especially feed in these banks, and fasten in the branches
[Image of page 399]
OF AN INDURATED NATURE.
of the Manawa at flood tide, and on the ebb, are left pendant from them in clusters, exposed in the air. The saline acridity of the leaves, impart an unpleasant taste to the fish, who also feed on the pere-carpium of the seed which the latter deciduously casts off, on arriving at maturity. The Manawa is serviceable for many things, its ashes are not the least valuable, as an alkali in the preparation of soap.
23 The Mahoi is an elegant tree, growing to the height of fifty feet; its wood is light in substance, of a reddish hue, admitting when polished, of being converted into furniture.
24 The Matia is a durable wood growing often to the height of sixty feet; it has similar properties to the red pine or Totara, but grows less bulky.
25 The Tepau is a similar wood to Towai.
26 The Pongo, and Wou, (achroma pentandria Ze-landica) are varieties of the corktree, when cut down an adhesive juice exudes in some quantity, and are of much service to the natives in their fishing nets. The fronds are five feet long, virent, circumference of trunk one and a half foot, covered with chaffy scales.
27 Karaka maori, (laurus karaka,) grows to the height of forty feet, with handsome frontated polished leaves. The wood close grained, and from its ornamental appearance and usefulness as a fruit tree, it has never been brought into use.
28 Horoeka, (aralia Zelandica), is generally found on elevated lands, grows to the height of thirty feet, leaves dark green, in tufts ternated in short stalks growing from the trunk, which is wanting in branches; it is found in shaded situations.
[Image of page 400]
SPERM WHALE FISHERY.
29 Pate (Aralia polygama,) trunk slender, and pithy, grows to twenty feet, leaves virent digitated and epinated at the edges; this wood is made use of for procuring fire by friction.
There are also a variety of the Horseka plants.
There are many other woods of much service to Europeans, differing in quality, among others: the 30 Warangai--31 Pata--32 Niho--33 Tangio, -- 34 Maihoi--35 Nene--36 Taraiti--37 Kohihiku-- 88 Waihupuku -- 39 Kaikamoko -- 40 Pukapuka -- 41 Karanghu--42 Utuhutu--43 Angiani--44 Akkas of various kinds. 45 Parekireki, &c. Of all these woods there are abundant quantities.
NOTE 8.
The principal exports from the colonies of East, South, and Western Australia, including Van Dieman's Land, and last, not least, New Zealand, is the produce from the Sperm whale, and Black or Right whale fishery, which is successfully carried on in the adjacent seas, on the coasts of those countries throughout the year. The two genus are termed balaena; and are unquestionably the largest living animals known since the deluge. They are divided into two distinct species, with the sole similarity of their possessing, heart, lungs, intestines, and warm blood, common to animated corporeal bodies. The genus MYSTICETUS, known in the northern fishery as the Greenland whale, are found in
[Image of page 401]
SPERM WHALE FISHERY.
vast numbers in the Southern Seas, but do not compete in size with similar finny tribes, that formerly abounded in the cheerless Arctic regions. There are many deviations in the form of the Right whale; but not of sufficient importance in the internal organization to constitute a different species. Though these whales are of less size to those found within the northern seas, yet many grow to the immense size of seventy feet in length, and the breadth where the fin or flipper is placed, (which is the bulkiest part,) is often eighteen feet. Of the sexes, the female is invariably the largest. This species are known to whalemen at a distance from the Macrocephalus or sperm whale, by the former having two spiracles or breathing holes, in the centre of the forehead, the latter fish possess two holes also within the head, but an exterior one only, consequently when respiring, (which whales can only do by raising their immense heads out of the water,) they blow or perflate the element from that single spiracle.
The RIGHT WHALE is dentated with a set of laminae of an horny substance, well known in commerce as whalebone. They are very numerous, often amounting in number to two hundred and fifty slabs in a single fish, decading gradually in length from the centre of the upper jaw, from eight feet to six inches; the weight of bone in a single mouth is generally from five to seven hundred pounds. The laminae lie within the upper gum, about six inches, from which they taper to a point, the whole length of each terminating by long black hair, in substance similar to fine bristles.
[Image of page 402]
BLACK WHALE FISHERY
These laminae answer the place of a sieve to the fish when in search of food; and they are often observed scooping with their bulky heads for such marine ani-malculae as they may fortunately find; and when successful, after shutting their immense under lip, they exude the salt water through these teeth, which they have taken in along with their food; which is principally spawn of a pabulous nature, of a red and yellow hue, called by the fishermen brit; which is sometimes seen supernatant on the surface of the ocean, many miles around. The upper part of the head is called the scalp, the joint of which connects the frame in which the laminae are imbedded. The tongue is formed partly of blubber, and a callous kind of flesh, which boiled in oil, is not to be rejected in a voyage of sometimes nearly four years' duration, and seldom (from Europe) less than three years; such being the length of time required, to procure, what is termed a voyage in the South Pacific Ocean, attended of course with various success. The quantity of oil to be procured does not depend on the length of a whale. A Right whale of sixty feet may give ninety barrels of oil, or ten imperial tons, the tongue will render six barrels of an inferior quality, and the under lips, (a mass of blubber,) will give four barrels.
The most astonishing portion of these leviathans, consists in the excessive smallness of the eye; the ball being often of less magnitude than that of a haddock. The size causes no diminution of sight or expression, as it partakes of that pathetic cast, for which the eye of the elephant is so remarkable. The retina is not
[Image of page 403]
IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC.
more dilatant than in human beings, and it is placed in the whale of about one third the extreme length of the body, from the snout, if it may be so termed behind which, a fin or flipper five feet in length by four in breadth is placed, some four feet below it; --this portion alone affords nearly a barrel of good oil.
The tail termed flukes, as forming part of a cargo, is seldom made use of; though probably in a future scarcity of these fish, they will doubtless undergo the process of bailing with the other parts. The extreme breadth of the tail across, is often twenty-five feet. The strength of the fish lies principally in this part, it lashes the water around, either when actuated by sport or from agony, with an almost incredible velocity, changing the placid sea into a whirling foam around. Its thickness is in proportion with its breadth, yet it is remarkably vivacious, and perfectly under the control of the animal, and is its sole instrument of defence.
The flippers or fins are used for percussion; they are also of service to protect their young, technically called the cub or calf. The male is termed the bull, and the mother the cow whale. When the latter is attacked by the fishers, and her calve be present, she will incline the lower extremity of her body downward, raising up her head, the little calf quickly ascends the smallest part of the parent's back, its small fins pressing her sides, on which the mother dives instantly out of sight, and after swimming below for some time, ascends again at some distant spot for respiration, the calf who still
[Image of page 404]
RIGHT OR BLACK WHALE.
holds on to its position, also inhales its quantum of air previous to another plunge.
In the female of this fish, the teats are not discernable to the observer, until the outer cuticle is removed; two of them are then discovered just visible, so very dissimilar in its various proportions, is the whale from any other animal it may resemble internally; the same remark is applicable to the ears, which also lie unseen until a removal of the skin, with which they are covered.
The Right whale abounds in all the southern oceans throughout the year. During the months from April to October, they make for the land, and visit the various bays and indents on the coasts of Chili, Peru, New Holland, Van Dieman's Land, and especially the bays and bights of New Zealand, to calve and procreate, also for abrasing from their skin the barnacles and other testaceous excrescences that adhere to it. From October to April, or the summer season, they are found in soundings and banks in the ocean. The veins of this tribe contain a greater quantity of blood than is found in the other species.
The aboriginal inhabitants of the N.W. coast of America, it is stated, account many fish of a less bulky nature, as whales; but six varieties of these species having laminae instead of being denticulated, are all that is known to Europeans.
The GIBBOSA, or HUMPBACK, derives its cognomen from having sarcomas or fleshy protuberances on its back, and differs from the Mysticetus only, in being of less size, and the addition of humps, which latter
[Image of page 405]
FINBACK WHALES.
are of an addipous nature. Some of these fish have yielded seventy barrels of oil. Some few have been seen with two or three humps; the latter are very rare, one hump is generally occipital, the other near to the flukes; these whales are gregarious, perflating in shoals.
The PHYSALIS, or FINBACK, is a much longer fish than either of the preceding, without their immense breadth, being two-thirds of less bulk. It is distinguished afar off by a fin projecting from the hinder part of the back, in various forms; sometimes terminating in a sharp point, others I have seen perfectly round, standing erect from three to six feet in height.
This whale yields from twenty to thirty barrels of oil. It is the most difficult fish for a whaleman to capture, and they seldom attempt it. Of all the whale tribe, they are most tenacious of life, and few whalers can boast of having caught a Finback. One of these fish off the coast of New Zealand, received an iron, (a kind of harpoon to which a line is attached,) but it drew the boat after it with such velocity, as to render it afterwards useless, the percussion arising from so rapid a motion through the water entirely detaching the planks.
Off the Falkland islands, a Finback was caught in 1834; there were no less than fifteen boats after the fish, and it was at last caught by running itself aground in shallow water. They delight in each others company, I have often seen them in shoals of from twenty to a hundred off Madagascar, on either of the coasts of New Holland, Cape Horn, the entire east coast of South and North America, to the bay of Fundy. The noise caused by the perflating and sports of so many
[Image of page 406]
VARIETY IN THE SPECIES
fish, renders the sight one of the most interesting in nature.
The head of the Finback is sharp, with the upper jaw lamellated, and similar to all the fish of this species, the under lip closes over the bone, which is much smaller than that of the Right whale. These fish are not accounted vicious; they visit the coast for similar purposes as the mysticetus.
The Gibbosa and Physalis act alike when their calves are wounded, the cow immediately placing the little sufferer beneath her, holding on to it by pressing its sides with her fins, retains her grasp until it dies, then reluctantly relaxes her useless labour. The fishermen generally contrive to strike the calf, being then certain of capturing their mother; the bulls, on the contrary, exhibit less emotion, their sympathies are solely awakened for themselves; "each for himself," is the best exemplification of a maxim invariably followed by them.
The PIKE HEADED BALAENA seldom acquires a greater length than forty feet, with a circumference of sixteen feet. The head is much more pointed than the Finback, yet perhaps this whale is simply an outward deviation from the form of that fish; it has also a fin at the extremity of the back. It is not possible to conceive what adjutary it can be to the creature. It has, in common with its species the same bibulous method of sucking its food. The lobes of the flukes are more pointed than in others of the tribe. Its two spiracles are placed in the snout, and not on the head.
The MUSCULUS, or large lipped whale, has an immense
[Image of page 407]
OF THE RIGHT WHALE.
under lip, the upper part of the head ends in a snout, the throat differs from whales in general. In this fish it is absolutely cavernous. It is found in length sixty feet, and half that quantity in circumference. It devours small fish and the uliginous food common to its tribe. It has three fins on its back.
The RAZORBACK is so termed from that part being remarkably serrated; its snout is very much pointed, like to the Porpoise. Doubtless there are many varieties of this genus, but the internal or even external difference is of so trifling a nature, as not to require a separate description. The flukes of these tribes are remarkably large; nature has therefore provided, that when these fish are in the womb, and even some weeks after their birth, the lobes lie flat on each other, and they do not take their eventual position until after some exercise of their natant powers. The Mysticetus has many enemies to compete with. The Barnacle, commonly known as the whale louse, insinuates itself behind the fins of the fish--a part the most sensitive-- and on most other portions of the body. They are often seen in the winter season rubbing their enormous heads against the rocks, trying to rid themselves of such troublesome visitors. A more destructive and wholesale species of enemy is found in a species of GRAMPUS, called by the South seamen the "Killer," which is said to be (man excepted) its greatest scourge. The pisciverous epicurean is said to indulge himself on the tongue only of the Right whale; this bonne bouche obtained, the Killer seeks no farther aliment from the body of its victim, which notwithstanding its immense bulk is an inoffensive animal.
[Image of page 408]
SPERM WHALES,
The water is ejected from the spiracle of these animals sometimes to the height of twenty feet, and the noise it occasions is heard in calm weather a mile distant.
The PHYSETER MACRO-CEPHALUS, or Spermaceti whale, belongs to a distinct species to that above described. This fish is also called CACHALOT, and is distinguished at a distance by its ejecting water through its single spiracle, situated at the extreme point of the head, to the height of four feet.
The head of the Sperm whale is the most obtuse form of any animated being we have knowledge of (see frontispiece). It is nearly quadrate, and composes one third part of the body, which is frequently eighty feet in length. Its eye is similarly placed as that in the Right whale, and is alike in size and expression. The pectoral fins are five feet long, placed under the eye, as stated in the latter creature; the jaws are enormous, about one third the length of the body, the upper containing to appearance, but few teeth, simply sockets to receive the lower teeth, but a similar number perhaps exist in the upper jaw, which being very flat in senior whales could only arrive at that shape by continual abrasion. I have seen the upper jaws of whales, killed in a senescent state, that shewed incipient nodules, but they are not often perceivable.
The tongue is but small for its immensely long mouth; they are generally found about three feet in length and ten inches wide, of a faded white colour, covered by a tough culicle, slightly corrugated longitudinally with the tongue. It has no blubber at-
[Image of page 409]
THEIR DESCRIPTION.
tached to it, and is thrown away by the fishermen. The under jaw is well furnished with a set of teeth each embedded three fourths its length in an elastic gummy excrescence. Some lower jaws contain forty, others fifty of these teeth, which are firmly set by the extended size they gain within the jaw, terminating below with an ivory scoriae. Some teeth, when freshly extracted, have weighed nine pounds, but the average in a large whale may be three pounds. When first taken from the jaw, the teeth have a dark appearance, from the moisture contained in them, when dry they become an inferior ivory; differing in length from six to nine inches, and in width from one to four inches.
Many of the teeth are hollow within as the horns of a bull, others are to the contrary, filled more or less with scoriae; they differ much in form, but are mostly coniferous. Several of them incline over the base, others are ground flat by the incessant champing of the jaws, and I have fallen in with many having broken teeth, evidently the effect of party disputes.
Armed with such an enormous engine of self-defence the sperm whale need not fear a host of killers; --man is the only enemy arrayed against these animals, as they elude even the subtile barnacle that clings to the swiftest vessel.
The largest circumference of this animated mass, is where the eye is placed; the body tapers towards the tail, which has two lobes about seventeen feet in length. Near the centre of the back lies a tu-
[Image of page 410]
SPERMACETI WHALES,
bercle, or hump of a tough nature, ending very abruptly.
The flukes and fins of all the cetaceous tribe are somewhat porous, filled with an unctuous matter.
This Whale is covered with an outer cuticle, as transparent as the substance called goldbeaters skin, beneath which it is covered with hair perfectly sleek and black, covered with an uliginous matter, the texture and length resemble the clothing of the seal tribe (Phocae).
The internal organization of cetaceous fish, resembles quadrupeds in general, approaching nearest to the hog, the similarity is perfect in the oscified parts, viscera, etc.
The upper part of the head of the Sperm whale is called the case, and contains, in nearly a fluid state, the celebrated spermaceti; its warmth when taken from the animal is similar to that of blood in the human body, and is drawn forth in buckets fashioned for the purpose; a large whale will contain in its head fifteen barrels or four hundred and forty-eight gallons. This oil is all pure sperm, technically called head matter. Between the case and upper jaw lies a large mass of blubber, which yields nearly double the quantity that will be procured from the case. Spermaceti when in a frigid state hardens, and has a very niveous appearance. The tail or flukes are seldom boiled down. The quantity of oil a fish will yield depends on its size and health; a calf about a fortnight old will perhaps yield twenty barrels; a single mammoth fish has yielded
[Image of page 411]
THEIR HABITS.
a hundred and thirty barrels, in value. 1200 pounds at the present prices; but few such prizes are taken of this latter size.
The Sperm whale presents a formidable appearance to the young fisherman. Its enormous lower jaw, well studded with grinders, perfectly under the controul of the animal, which has often crushed a boat into splinters, differs exceedingly from the comparatively harmless bone of the Right whale.
The auricular organs of the Sperm whale are curiously concealed by the gelabrous appearance of the body, only perceivable on removing the skin, under which they lie in a cubiculary position. The animal, it would be supposed, is particularly dull in its perception, had we not ocular proof, as well as many credible anecdotes evidencing to the contrary. These fish, after being once alarmed, dive under the ocean, and are seen to rise slowly in a perpendicular position, with their blunt heads more or less above the surface of the water, in apparently a listening attitude, remaining in that position for a full half hour, scarcely moving. An electrical feeling is also at times perceivable among them. A shoal of upwards of a hundred of these fish, have been seen spreading themselves over the ocean, disporting as far as the human eye could reach around, from the ship's mast-head; presently a whaleman throws a lance at one of these marine monsters, who no sooner feels the wound, than an instantaneous disappearance ensues of the shoal; a simultaneous feeling appears to pervade them all, however distant from each other, diving with their utmost celerity; there are but few South seamen
[Image of page 412]
SPERMACETI WHALES,
but have experienced this fact, many of whom have looked around in astonishment, when in the midst of a shoal of these leviathans, suddenly finding themselves solus, a lance perhaps thrown from a distant boat, piercing one of the fish. It is difficult to what cause to attribute this feeling, as the auriculary powers of the whale are not disturbed by a boat being propelled in front of the fish, which is the best position to attack it, as the eye from its oblique position cannot glance forward or behind the body.
The throat of the sperm whale is very narrow, which will account for its incapacity to ingurgitate any substance, not partaking of a gelatinous nature; consequently its food is composed principally of medusae, and a gelatine substance called Squid, which has many arms or feelers, of great length, with beaks similar to the cartilaginous bills of birds, of a transparent brown colour. This, but partially known substance, is said to be viviporous. The whale, when in the agonies of death ejects the food it has previously taken, and these medusas have been expelled forth from the fish upwards of thirty feet in length, the arms being of less magnitude, but longer than the body itself. Young sand sharks three and four feet long, I have seen among other exuviae, to issue from the body of the agonised fish.
The fin or flippers serve to propel the whale, the ossified skeleton resembling those of the seal tribe; from the extreme smalless of this member to that of the Right whale, the young calf when wounded, cannot be carried off by its mother when in danger, but the little one swims equally swift by her side.
[Image of page 413]
THEIR PECULIAR HABITS.
When in the womb, just previous to parturition, it is about six feet in length; the flukes lie infoliated as in right whales. These fish when sporting, often leap out of the water, which is termed breaching. When below the water they make a crepitating noise through their breathing orifice, the sound of which may be likened to the snapping of sticks, doubtless a preliminary to respiration, when the whaleman hears this noise from a direction beneath his boat, he pauses not for a repetition, but hastily pulls away from the unseemly place, fearful of the fish breaching, and crushing the boat in pieces between its ponderous jaws, or dashing it in atoms by a blow from its tail.
The cow whale is not gemelliparous, and after incubation are supposed to carry the foetus twelve months; some few have been found with twins, but it is rare; the lacteal aliment is of a pure white colour. The little calf is its mother's delight, and though these animals (as Cuvier classifies them) are gentle and inoffensive, yet in the protection of her young she exhibits a ferocity, little consonant with her usual conduct.
Whales differ much in outward colour: the outer skin of many being quite white, others are black, brown, and an ocrous dingy red, or mottled, not a few partake of a dark atramentous appearance.
The Sperm whale is found in all the oceans above stated, and are met with in the sixtieth degree of south and north latitude, amid the tropical heats of the equator, and the ice-bound regions of the New South Shetlands. These fish are gregarious also, and migratory in their movements, seldom frequenting the same latitude in an
[Image of page 414]
AMBERGRIS.
ensuing season, and whalemen who have procured a voyage or cargo one season, have often been minus of oil, by adhering to the same place, in the following year. No experienced South seaman will calculate for a certainty where he may fill his ship, those that have acted according to predetermination, have returned to the port they sailed from, with scarce sufficient to pay the expenses. The like ill success has been occasioned by a contrary conduct, whalemen sailing in quest of a cargo, over every sea they have heard as frequented by whales, forgetting it is necessary to remain for a reasonable time about one place. I remember meeting with a shipmaster, who had been at sea twenty months, with one hundred and fifty barrels of oil only, from the circumstance of navigating at every point of the compass; he told me he should remain on the middle ground, as the Pacific Ocean is termed between New Zealand and New Holland; he accordingly did so, and returned to port with three thousand barrels within forty months.
The substance called Ambergris, is an additional article to the profits of a sperm voyage. This substance is of a stercoraceous nature, and is found in either a single mass, or in many pieces in the excremental glands of the sperm whale. The odoriferous powers attached to the material, does not belong to it until long after it has been ejected by the animal, for when lately exuded, the smell is of the most foetid and offensive description; some savans have determined, that ambergris is composed of bees' wax, which might be reasonably doubted, when Cape Horn is situated in 57 south latitude, and that country or Palmers
[Image of page 415]
VALUE OF THE FISHERY.
Land further south, it must naturally be supposed, is not very favourable to the production of either bees' wax or honey. This substance is formed from indigestion of the food, and the constipation of the fish. I believe my opinion to be singular, that a stoppage in the glands is caused by the horny beaks of the squid, causing sickliness in the whale, and producing ambergris; these beaks are often found imbedded within the matter; whatever may be its primordial formation, it is produced by the sperm whale only.
The value of the oil yielded from the Sperm whale is generally about treble the price of that produced from the right or black whale.
The South Sea fishery appears to have commenced some sixty years since on the coast of South America, and about forty years past we have an account of a whaleman touching on the coast of New Zealand for refreshments. In those days the scurvy, one of the most frightful in the catalogue of human diseases reigned predominant, and few escaped its visitation; its effects were various, commencing at different parts of the human body. Scurvy is not banished from South Sea voyages, even at the present day; but a ship-master has so many opportunities afforded him for refreshing his crew, without deviating from his tract, among a thousand isles, where suitable fresh provisions can be abundantly obtained, that a malignant attack of the disease, might now be attributed to negligence on his part. Goats, hogs, yams, tarro, cocoa nuts, arrow root, plantains, wild turmerie, ginger and sugar cane, poultry, an excellent variety
[Image of page 416]
EFFECTS OF SCURVY.
of fish, and many European vegetables, may be had throughout the islands of the Pacific.
It is somewhat singular, that few seamen on board ships from Europe and America are so much afflicted with scurvy, as those men serving in a similar capacity on board vessels from the Australian colonies; the latter people appear, from numerous instances, to suffer as much after being at sea four months, as the former feel from an absence from port of treble that length of time. To those who make use of ardent spirits, or others who have attached their signatures to the script of the total abstinence societies, the effects appear to be the same. A volume would scarce suffice to describe this scourge to the seaman; the afflicted generally feel much relief when the land wind is wafted towards them, long before the shores are visible, and a cure is partly effected by burying the limbs in the earth.
The South Sea fishery is carried on in ships from one hundred to five hundred tons, calculated to carry from eight hundred to five thousand barrels of oil; the principal owners of vessels employed in this commercial speculation, belong to London, all the North eastern parts of the United States, Port Jackson, the rapidly rising settlements of South Australia, and Hobart Town. The largest vessels employed, and the most numerous, belong to the Americans. The French have latterly entered into the traffic, and the Dutch will probably turn their attention to this commerce, in which formerly they were principally engaged. The British make use of the imperial gallon, of nine barrels to the ton, the old measure of eight
[Image of page 417]
WHALE SHIPS.
barrels or two hundred and sixty-two gallons is made use of by other nations.
These vessels are fitted with tryworks or fire-places above which is a battery containing two, and sometimes three iron pots, sufficiently capacious to contain from one hundred and fifty to two hundred gallons each; the fire-place is built of bricks, so laid below as to form channels for water to preserve the floor or main deck from injury. The water is kept confined by a square, formed with two inch plank, around the sides, negligence in leaving this pen (as it is termed) dry, has caused many accidents; otherwise a cargo of oil is not of a very flammable nature. These fireworks are taken down when the cargo is completed, and the pots, if uninjured, are stowed away; in these pots is boiled or fried out, the blubber, each piece being minced small to extract the oil easier; the fires are ignited with wood or charcoal, and afterwards renewed with pieces of blubber, from which the oil has been extracted, called scraps, similar to fires in sugar houses, being fed with sugar canes, from which the charine matter has been previously extracted by boiling.
After the blubber has sufficiently been boiled, the oil is baled out and placed in copper coolers or tanks to settle, and shortly after is put into barrels and casks, containing from thirty to two hundred and eighty gallons. When the heat has subsided, and the staves if new, are sufficiently shrunk, so as to insure from their leaking, the bung is put in the casks which are carefully lodged in the hold, the bung being upwards, and the body of the casks kept apart from touching each other, bedded and quoined with small blocks of wood; this is called
[Image of page 418]
STOWING THE CARGO.
bilge free. After the ship has had a quantity of oil within her hold some length of time, the casks are taken again upon deck, termed broke out. The cooper, a very necessary officer on board a whale ship, carefully examines each cask, after which they are again replaced in the hold with similar care and attention. Often during voyage, while in warm climates, a quantity of salt water is thrown in the hold over the casks containing oil, which prevents them in some degree from shrinking, and consequently leaking; incident to contrary climates, wear and tear from storms and calms. I made a passage in a whale ship, when at one period we were stationed in a latitude where the thermometer stood at twenty degrees above zero, and within fifteen days it remained constant at 86 deg.. To a new ship, the oil saturating the timber is of essential service, as a preservative against rot. A cargo of oil is very buoyant.
Ships employed in this service are fitted according to their size; a vessel of three hundred and fifty tons will make use of four boats, and carry two spare ones in case of accidents.
These boats, known from their peculiar form as whale boats, are admirably adapted for the purpose, having a large breadth of beam, and similarly tapering at both extremities, so that they are propelled to and fro without turning round, for the purpose. They are suspended from pieces of timber called davits, which are fitted to project over the ship's sides. The spare boats are carried on staunchions above the quarter deck. They are formed of very light materials, and from having little hold in the water outstrip
[Image of page 419]
WHALING BOATS.
any other description of vessel of the kind. The American models are preferred, possessing greater beam and less depth, giving less resistance to the water; the general length is about twenty-two feet.
A whale ship carrying four boats will be manned by a complement of thirty men, including a master, three mates, four boat steerers, or harpooners, a carpenter and cooper. Each boat is owned by a particular officer and crew to prevent confusion, and is furnished with a tub of whale line or rope, containing in the coil one thousand and eighty feet, and is placed between the two afterthwarts or seats of the boat, the headsman being placed at the steer oar, which is used in place of a rudder to a whale boat, giving the steersman unlimited command over it in a heavy sea, where a rudder would be useless. This place he only quits when the harpooner throws a lance at the fish; then they hastily change places, the headsman finishing what the harpooner commenced, contriving to throw his lances at the shoulder blade, close within the fin of the whale; lances and irons in quick succession pierce the agonised creature, until it floats on the water dead, when the body turns round, the belly upwards. The fish is then made fast with a rope to a block of wood at the stern of the boat, called a loggerhead, and towed with its head to the ship, which sails towards the prize, to ease the men's exertions and save time. On arriving alongside the vessel, the fish is made fast by what is called a fluke chain to the tail, a hole is cut over the neck of the fish and a hook placed in it to raise the blubber, or addipous matter of which it is outwardly composed, which is cut in strips on either
[Image of page 420]
ART OF WHALING.
side the whole length of the body, and five or six feet in breadth, it is then raised as high as the main mast head, and another tackle is applied to a fresh piece of blubber, technically called blanket pieces, during which the preceding piece is lowered into an inclosed place below the deck, called the blubber room. Others of the crew are employed severing the head from the body as it rolls in the water and is separately made fast with the head rope. After the blubber is stripped from the body, hooks are placed in the head and the immense mass, in fair weather, is raised upon deck, the junk cut off, the case or occipital part opened and the spermaceti, which is entirely pure is then baled out. This head matter bears the highest price in the market.
During fine weather persons are stationed at the main and top mast head, and regularly relieved to keep a diligent look out for whales. On perceiving the fish respire, the discovery is instantly communicated by the expressions of "there she spouts," "there she blows," and "there she breaches," which is announced when the animal takes a sudden leap out of the water.
[Image of page 421]
ITS DANGERS.
"Where away?" is enquired from the deck; an answer is returned affirmative as to the direction. The boats are instantly lowered on the water, and within ten minutes from the first intimation, the fishermen are on their way towards the direction pointed out, carefully steering the boat with the bow towards the head of the fish, that it may not attract its vision. The whale as soon as struck by the harpoon generally dives with great velocity underwater, running away with coils of line that the boats, congregated together in the pursuit, are supplied with; some fish have run out in this manner near six thousand feet of line, that is drawn from the boat's bow with such celerity, that the friction would cause fire to ensue, were not water thrown occasionally over the place to prevent it.
After the whale is pierced, they frequently remain from twenty to sixty minutes previous to rising again on the surface of the ocean, termed breaking water, when immediately the boats make towards it in active chase, the pursuers encouraging each other by suiting the action to the word: such as, "at her, my lads, she'll feather our nests." The Americans are not less amusing in their expressions: "I guess she's our'n, slick as a whistle;" "It's a master big crittur;" "I calkalate there's a new rig for Prudence, she's dreadful handsome," and similar "tarnal" expressions, which the kind-hearted sons of Cape Cod and the Piscataqua encourage their lusty and trusty followers.
Whales have been killed at the first blow, when successfully struck under the fin, termed the life. Instances can also be adduced of the fish having been pierced with a dozen lances in various parts of the
[Image of page 422]
THE DYING LEVIATHAN.
body, outliving the night, but from exhaustion making but little progress from the ship, but yet able to renew the contest the ensuing day.
The sperm whale ejects but little blood from its spiracle when dying, compared with the right whale species in that state; and when the thin outer cuticle breaks in any part, either by the thrust of a lance or any other cause, its track is marked by an oleaginous line or wake on the surface of the water. A singular effect is often seen on a tempestuous sea, when the bilge water and loose oil is pumped out from a leaky whale ship, where the matter flows, the raging wave ceases its fury in some degree.
A whale ship springing a leak in a calm sea would not founder, from the buoyancy of the cargo; it would sink in the ocean as far as the upper deck which would be even with the water, termed waterlogged, (similar to a cargo of timber); it would only sink when the water burst the deck open and dispersed the freight.
Whaling is a traffic attended with continual danger; tales, of which this animal is the hero, are innumerable; significantly termed "fish stories." Many of these hardy, truculent men, who follow this enterprising profession, declare the whale to be as harmless an animal as is to be found under "God's heaven," others from experience also, tell a woful story to the contrary.
The following circumstance that happened some few years since off the coast of Peru in South America, will not furnish proof to either being the fact. Two vessels employed in the trade, were lying to, near each other; suddenly, from alongside, a large sperm whale breached over one of the vessels, instantly severed her
[Image of page 423]
LOSS OF THE "ESSEX."
in pieces and she immediately sunk, the few seamen on board, saved themselves by swimming to the consort in company, the remainder of the crew were out in their boats, and not an article was saved. A circumstance more afflicting in its results occurred to the American whale ship, "Essex," of Nantucket, George Pollard master, the vessel was on whaling ground off Japan, lying to, under easy sail. Three boats had been lowered, but one of them had been stove, or damaged by a fish, and had been returned to the ship to undergo repair. About this time a large whale supposed to be ninety feet long, was perceived at some distance rushing furiously in the direction of the ship, and shortly after its immense head struck with powerful force against the stern post, every timber of the vessel appeared to feel the concussion, and impelled her forward at the rate of six knots or miles an hour, the fish instantly dived, and was lost sight of for an hour, when a whale supposed to be the same from its colour, enormous bulk, and the direction from whence it came, was seen driving towards the vessel; escape was impossible, from the rapid motions of the animal, who drove its head with astounding force against the ship's side, dashing in the planking, and timbers; it instantly filled, and became waterlogged; the boats which had returned were lowered, and the people twenty-one in number left the wreck, obtaining only a few trifling stores. The sufferings these unfortunate men underwent, are too numerous to detail, planks starting from the boats, this description of vessel being built for the boards to overlap each other, a half inch only in thickness; their little stock of provisions was
[Image of page 424]
DREADFUL SHIPWRECK.
soon exhausted, being saturated with salt water. They made land, called Ducie's island, small, barren, and uninhabited; in one of the caves of which, they discovered the skeletons of eight human bodies, who had perished from wreck and starvation. They left this spot from which nothing could be obtained, and again committed themselves in their frail barks to the mercy of the waves. One of the boats was never heard of, the remaining two soon parted company. One containing three men was picked up sixty days after the wreck, by a passing whale ship, the other boat in which was the master, fell in with another whaler ninety days after the loss of the "Essex," one boy beside himself were the sole survivors, the bodies of the other hapless men, had furnished food for their companions. The day they were relieved, lots had been cast between the two lone beings, as to whose fate should be sealed, to lengthen the loathsome existence of a comrade, the fate of the boy had been fixed to die, and an hour later he would have lost his existence. This disaster occurred in latitude 47 deg. S. longitude 120 deg. W. after the crew had procured seven hundred and fifty barrels of sperm oil.
This is not the only instance detailing a dogged propensity in the animal, to follow up apparently a course of retributive mischief.
An instance of a similar nature was related to me by Commodore ap Jones, whose early nautical experience was procured in years of honourable hardship and toil, in whaling voyages in the South Seas. He was also, when a boy, in a boat that was crushed in pieces by a sperm whale, the concussion threw him
[Image of page 425]
DANGERS INCIDENT TO WHALEMEN.
into the mouth of the whale, who doubtless disliking a young Welshman grafted on a "down Easter," squirted the embryo Commodore forth, together with the pieces of the wreck. Innumerable instances occur of boats being hurled in the air, with a blow of the tail, or crushed in two by the jaws of the tremendous fish. Many of the adventurers have been killed by accidentally falling in contact with either the head or flukes of the leviathan: numerous boats' crews have been lost with their commander or officers, by pursuing the fish too far to windward of the ship, forgetting due caution in the ardour of pursuit; and have been cut off from regaining the ship, from sudden fogs arising, or change of winds or gales, leaving the crew to the most horrible of lingering deaths, starvation. Lightning and the convulsion of the elements, have sunk many whaling ships in the South Eastern Seas, where the gales during the prevalence of the monsoons are most terrific.
A more insidious enemy to the whale has been found in the sword or horn fish; several instances have occurred on ships returning to port, after a lapse of three and four years, in which the horn of this fish has been found broken off after piercing entirely through the ship's bows or sides, the copper or hardness of the timber proving no obstacle; several recent instances happened in which the horn had pierced through the ship's bow into an oil butt, and from being jammed in tight, it had not leaked, if the horn had worked out by the straining of the ship, the perforation being some feet below water, the leak could not have been stopped, and the vessel must have sunk.
The "Deveron," whaler, James Curry master, of
[Image of page 426]
EXTRAORDINARY VOYAGES
Hobart Town, was lost while at anchor near Morton bay, coast of N.S.Wales, in fine weather, nearly a full ship. The loss of this vessel was occasioned by a butt, or piece of wood that joins two planks together in a ship's side, starting, there was not time given to save scarce an article, the vessel sunk within a few minutes. Whalers are supplied with blue lights in the event of the chase being continued after sunset, that the position of the vessel may be ascertained. Melancholy accidents are so common in the pursuits of whaling, that volumes could be filled enumerating the losses of life and limb: yet many South seamen take much delight in following this nautical chase; which is also attended with this advantage, that the taking a single brush in the form of a hundred barrelled whale will help to score off many an annoyance. The year 1837 has been particularly marked by the loss of many of these ships of adventure in the South Seas.
NOTE 9.
That extraordinary voyages do frequently occur, is evident to every person who has been observant on the subject, especially among the inhabitants of the Polynesian and Oceanic Islands.
A very few years since, a Chinese junk was cast ashore, on the island of Oahu (Woahoo) one of the Sandwich Islands; and some four years back, a large Japanese junk was fell in with by an American whaleman. The Indian ship was drifting about the Japan Seas, almost a wreck. Every assistance was rendered
[Image of page 427]
OF THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDERS.
by the American master, who took the people out of the vessel, together with the cargo, and conveyed them to Japan. On making Niphon, the largest of the islands, he gave the people a whale boat, who testified by signs, the gratitude they felt at the kind treatment they had received. The whaleman would gladly have entered the port (Nangasaki), but the laws against the admittance of foreigners are written in blood, dictated with the sanguinary pen of a Draco. In both these instances storms had severed these people from their native coasts.
In 1836, my friend Captain Richard Macy of Wiscasset in Maine, in the United States, fell in with three of the Kingsmill group, at the Island of Rotuma; and the canoe with which they had effected their trip. The passage these people must have made drifting about, amounted to many thousand miles. Their story was simple, they had been fishing outside the reefs, when a sudden gale burst with such fury, that drifted them at a rapid rate from the land; the canoe was part of an old tree of only twelve feet in length. They stated that they saw the sun descend many times (ka torengi te ra), and when in a famished and emaciated state, they saw land at a distance, they with difficulty made towards it, but it was entirely a barren rock. They staid some few days subsisting on leaves, nothing as food for man being on the rocks; and again threw themselves on the mercy of the waves; and fate, assisted with a few heavy gales of wind, threw them on the Island of Rotumah; there they were kindly received, and stated their determination to die on that lovely island.
Captain Macy kindly offered them a passage to
[Image of page 428]
DIPLOMATIC ESSAY
the Kingsmill group; but they refused to submit themselves to the dangers of the sea. They had also formed new connections. Similar accidents have been common among the inhabitants of the South Sea Islands, and serve to explain how the various parts of the earth have been peopled by persons, similarly detached from their native country. In Lettres Edifiantes et Curieuses, tome 15, we find a relation of two canoes being tossed about for seventy days, the passengers suffering dreadful hardships, having performed A voyage of nine hundred miles from an island called Amorsot, to the isle of Samal, one of the Phillipines. A narrative of a similar nature is found in "Voyages aux terres Australes," and in the English translation of 'Thevenot's divers curious Voyages.'
NOTE 10.
THE BRITISH RESIDENT AT NEW ZEALAND, TO HIS BRITANNIC
MAJESTY'S SUBJECTS, WHO ARE RESIDING OR TRADING
IN NEW ZEALAND.
The British Resident announces to his Countrymen that he has received from a person who styles himself "Charles, Baron de Thierry, Sovereign Chief of New Zealand, and King of Nuhuheva," one of the Marquesas Islands, a formal declaration of his intention to establish in his own Person an Independent Sovereignty in this Country, which intention he states he has declared to their Majesties the Kings of Great Britain, and France, and to the President of the United States; and that he is now waiting at Otaheite the arrival of an armed Ship from Panama, to enable him to proceed to the Bay of Islands with strength to maintain his assumed Sovereignty.
His intention is founded upon an alleged invitation given to him in England by Shungie and other Chiefs, none of whom as Indi-
[Image of page 429]
OF THE BRITISH RESIDENT.
viduals had any right tO the Sovereignty of the Country, consequently, possessed no authority to convey a right of Sovereignty to another. --Also, upon an alleged Purchase made for him in 1822, by Mr. Kendall, of Three Districts on the Hokianga River, from Three Chiefs who had only a partial property in these Districts, parts of which are now Settled by British Subjects, by virtue of Purchase from the rightful Proprietors.
The British Resident has also Seen an elaborate exposition of his Views which this Person has addressed to the Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society, in which he makes the most ample Promises to all persons, whether White or Natives, who will accept his Invitation to live under his Government; and in which he offers a stipulated Salary to each Individual Missionary in order to induce them to act as his Magistrates. It is also supposed, that he may have made similar Communications to other Persons or Classes of His Majesty's Subjects, who are hereby invited to make such Communications, or any Information on this Subject they may possess, known to the British Resident, or to the Additional British Resident at Hokianga.
The British Resident has too much Confidence in the Loyalty and Good Sense of his Countrymen, to think it necessary to Caution them against turning a favourable ear to such Insidious Promises. He firmly believes that the Paternal Protection of the British Government, which has never failed any of His Majesty's Subjects however remote, will not be withheld from them, should it be necessary to prevent their Lives, Liberties, or Property from being subjected to the Caprice of any Adventurer, who may choose to make this Country, in which British Subjects have now by the most lawful means acquired so large a Stake, the Theatre of his Ambitious Projects: nor, in the British Residents' opinion, will His Majesty, after having acknowledged the Sovereignty of the Chiefs of New Zealand in their collective capacity, by the Recognition of their Flag, permit his Humble and Confiding Allies to be deprived of their Independence upon such Pretensions.
But, although the British Resident is of opinion that such an Attempt as is now announced must ultimately fail, ha, nevertheless, conceives, that if such a Person were once allowed to obtain
[Image of page 430]
BARON DE THIERRY.
a footing in the Country, he might acquire such an Influence over the simple-minded Native as would produce effects which could not be too much deprecated or too anxiously provided against; and he has therefore considered it his Duty to Request the British Settlers of all Classes, to use all the Influence they possess with the Natives of every Rank, in order to Counteract the Efforts of any Emissaries which may have arrived or may arrive amongst them. --And to inspire both Chiefs and People with a Spirit of the most Determined Resistance to the Landing of a Person on their Shores, who comes with the Avowed Intention of Usurping a Sovereignty over them.
The British Resident will take immediate Steps for Calling together the Native Chiefs, in order to Inform them of this proposed Attempt upon their Independence, and to advise them of what is Due to Themselves and to their Country, and of the Protection which British Subjects are entitled to at their hands. And he has no doubt that such a Manifestation will be exhibited of the Characteristic Spirit, Courage, and Independence of the New-Zealanders as will stop at the outset such an Attempt upon their Liberties by demonstrating its utter hopelessness.
JAMES BUSBY.
BRITISH RESIDENT.
British Residency, at New Zealand,
Bay of Islands, October 10th, 1835.
Had the adventurous "King of Nuhuheva" arrived, Mr. Busby would have soon found that a few blankets and firearms well distributed, would soon have visibly displayed the characteristic spirit of the New Zealanders in its true light, and scarce a respectable European would have stood up in defence of that gentleman. They would gladly have embraced any social form of government, however oppressive
[Image of page 431]
PETITION TO WILLIAM THE FOURTH.
for the protection of their property, rather than the law of force, which has hitherto agitated the country. The British government had stated (it was said some years back), that the land was not to be colonised, and the Europeans were bound for the protection of their families, to seek the fostering aid of some government; but these unpleasant feelings would never have arisen in the breasts of Englishmen, had Mr. Busby shown a conciliatory disposition, to his countrymen.
NOTE 11.
Petition to his late Majesty from British settlers in New Zealand.
To the King's Most Excellent Majesty.
Sire,
May it please your Majesty to allow your faithful, obedient, and loyal subjects, at present residing in New Zealand, to approach the Throne, and crave your condescending attention to their petition, which is called forth by their peculiar situation.
The present crisis of the threatened usurpation of power over New Zealand by Baron Charles de Thierry, the particulars of which have been forwarded to your Majesty's Government by Charles Busby, Esquire, the British Resident, strongly urges us to make known our fears and apprehensions for ourselves and families, and the people amongst whom we dwell.
[Image of page 432]
PETITION OF BRITISH SETTLERS
Your humble petitioners would advert to the serious evils and perplexing grievances which surround and await them, arising, for the most part, if not entirely, from some of your Majesty's subjects, who fearlessly commit all kinds of depredations upon other of your Majesty's subjects who are peaceably disposed. British property in vessels, as well as on shore, is exposed without any redress to every imaginable risk and plunder, which may be traced to the want of a power in the land to check and control evils, and preserve order amongst your Majesty's subjects.
Your petitioners are aware that it is not the desire of your Majesty to extend the colonies of Great Britain; but they would call your Majesty's attention to the circumstance of several of your Majesty's subjects having resided in New Zealand for more than twenty years past, since which their numbers have accumulated to more than five hundred, north of the river Thames alone, many of whom are heads of families. The frequent arrival of persons from England and the adjacent colonies is a fruitful source of further augmentation. Your petitioners would, therefore, humbly call your majesty's attention to the fact, that there is at present a considerable body of your Majesty's subjects established in this island, and that owing to the salubrity of the climate, there is every reason to anticipate a rapidly rising colony of British subjects. Should this colony continue to advance, no doubt means would be devised whereby many of its internal expenses would be met, as in other new countries. There are numbers of landholders, and the Kouri Forests have
[Image of page 433]
TO WILLIAM THE FOURTH.
become, for the most part, the private property of your Majesty's subjects.
Your humble petitioners would also entreat your Majesty's attention to the important circumstance that the Bay of Islands has long been the resort of ships employed in the South Sea fishery and the merchant's service, and is in itself a most noble anchorage for all classes of vessels, and is further highly important in affording supplies and refreshment to shipping. There are also several other harbours and anchorages of material importance to the shipping interest, in situations where British subjects have possessions and property to a large amount. The number of arrivals of vessels in the Bay of Islands, during the last three years, has been considerably on the increase. At one period thirty-six were at anchor, and in the course of the six months ending June, 1836, no less than one hundred and one vessels visited the Bay.
Your petitioners would further state, that since the increase of the European population, several evils have been growing upon them. The crews of vessels have frequently been decoyed on shore, to the great detriment of trade, and numberless robberies have been committed on shipboard and on shore by a lawless band of Europeans, who have not even scrupled to use fire-arms to support them in their depredations. Your humble petitioners seriously lament that when complaints have been made to the British Resident of these acts of outrage, he has expressed his deep regret that he has not yet been furnished with authority and power to act, not even the authority of a civil magistrate to administer an affidavit.
[Image of page 434]
PETITION OF BRITISH SUBJECTS
Your humble petitioners express, with much concern, their conviction that unless your Majesty's fostering care be extended towards them, they can only anticipate that both your Majesty's subjects and also the aborigines of this land will be liable in an increased degree to murders, robberies, and every kind of evil.
Your petitioners would observe that it has been considered that the confederate tribes of New Zealand were competent to enact laws for the proper government of this land, whereby protection would be afforded in all cases of necessity; but experience evidently shows that, in the infant state of the country, this cannot be accomplished or expected. It is acknowledged by the chiefs themselves to be impracticable. Your petitioners, therefore, feel persuaded that considerable time must elapse before the chiefs of this land can be capable of exercising the duties of an independent government.
Your humble petitioners would, therefore, pray that your Majesty may graciously regard the peculiarity of their situation, and afford that relief which may appear most expedient to your Majesty.
Relying upon your Majesty's wisdom and clemency, we shall ever pray Almighty God to behold with favour and preserve our gracious Sovereign, and beg humbly to subscribe ourselves, &c., &c.
| Richard Holtom
|
James Hawkins
|
| John Mac Diarmid
|
Thomas Butler, son to the Rev.
Mr. Butler, late Church Miss-
ionary
|
| Hugh Mc Lever
|
|
| Benjamin Turner, his + mark
|
|
| James R. Clendon
|
Gilbert Mair
|
| J. W. Bayman
|
Robert Davies
|
[Image of page 435]
TO WILLIAM THE FOURTH
| H. Shirley
|
Richard Davies, Church Mission
ary Catechist
|
| J. Chapman, Church Missionary
Catechist
|
|
|
|
James Kemp, ditto
|
| J. Morgan, ditto
|
Henry William, son of Chairman
of Church Missionary Com-
mittee
|
| W. T. Fairburn, ditto
|
|
| Sam. M. Knight, ditto
|
|
| The Rev. Alfred N. Brown,
Church Missionary
|
William Richard Wade, Church
Missionary Catechist
|
|
|
|
| J. A. Wilson, Church ditto Cate-
chist
|
Charles Baker, ditto
|
|
|
John Fairburn, son of Church
Missionary Catechist
|
| James Preece, ditto
|
|
| Edward Clementson
|
Wm. Powditch
|
| James Farrow
|
Henry P. Dunman
|
| R. Parry
|
Dominick Ferari
|
| J. A. Macleod
|
Wm. Curtis
|
| Samuel Jones
|
Henry Beasley, his + mark
|
| P. Tapsell
|
George Hawkes
|
| Thos. D. Grenville
|
John James, his + mark
|
| W. Mullins, his + mark
|
James Buller
|
| Thomas Phillips, his + mark
|
John Wright
|
| Thomas Burgess, his + mark
|
Joseph W. Wright
|
| The Rev. Nathaniel Turner,
Wesleyan Missionary
|
Robert Hunt
|
|
|
James Reeve
|
| The Rev. William Woon, ditto
|
Thomas Kelly
|
| The Rev. James Wallis, ditto
|
Dennis B. Cochrane
|
| The Rev. John Whiteley ditto
|
R. W. Nickell
|
| R. H. Smith
|
G. F. Russell
|
| E. Meurant
|
H. Chapman
|
| William Alexander
|
Henry Harrison, his + mark
|
| David Robertson
|
F. R. Lomerston
|
| Thomas Spicer
|
James Honey
|
| W. T. Green
|
George Paton
|
| The Rev. Henry Williams, Chair-
man of Church Missionary
Committee
|
Andrew Reading
|
|
|
Thomas Jones
|
|
|
Charles Darey
|
| John Wright
|
John Baker, his + mark
|
| A. L. W. Lewinton
|
J. W. Cleland
|
| William Saunders
|
Richard Mariner
|
| George Gage, his + mark
|
M. 0. Brien
|
| John Fell
|
Francis Bowyer
|
| John Henry Lewis
|
George Haggey
|
| H. M. Pilley, Church Missionary
Catechist
|
Robert Augur
|
|
|
John Mawman
|
| John Flatt, ditto
|
William Waters, his + mark
|
| Samuel Williams, son of Rev. H.
Williams, Chairman of Church
Missionary Committee
|
Robert Campbell, his + mark
|
|
|
Alexander Greig
|
|
|
W. Cook
|
| The Rev. William Williams, bro-
ther of Chairman of Church
Missionary Committee
|
John Dinney, his + mark
|
|
|
William Gardiner
|
|
|
William Greene
|
| |
|
[Image of page 436]
SIGNATURES TO PETITION
| H. Boyle
|
Samuel Eggart
|
| George Hull
|
J. R. Oakes
|
| William Dodson
|
Mathew Marriner
|
| W. F. Brown
|
John Grant
|
| John Coune
|
Henry Button
|
| John Fogarty
|
W. Smith
|
| William Davies, son of Church
Missionary Catechist
|
B. Me Gurdy
|
|
|
Robert Day
|
| John Bedgood
|
John Shearer
|
| James Davies, son of Church
Missionary Catechist
|
George Gardner
|
|
|
Thomas Wing
|
| G. Clarke, ditto, and Secretary
of the Church Missionary Com-
mittee.
|
F?ower Russell
|
|
|
James Mc Namara
|
|
|
John Fagan
|
| James Kemp, jun., son of Church
Missionary Catechist
|
Thomas Graham
|
|
|
W. Smith
|
| James Stack, Church Missionary
Catechist
|
Henry Hadder
|
|
|
James Shepherd, Church Mis-
sionary Catechist
|
| John Skelton
|
|
| John Bennir
|
John Edmonds, Church Mis-
sionary Catechist
|
| Henry Davies
|
|
| Thomas Cooper
|
Benjamin Nisbit
|
| Robert Lawson
|
James N. Shepherd, son of
Church Missionary Catechist
|
| W. H. Curtis
|
|
| Charles Smith, his + mark
|
Peleg Wood
|
| A. J. Ross, M. D.
|
George Clarke, jun son of Church
Missionary Catechist
|
| B. Ashwell, Church Missionary
Catechist
|
|
|
|
Thomas Byan, his + mark
|
| J. S. Polack
|
Henry Sonsheil
|
| Philip H. King, son of Church
Missionary Catechist
|
John Fox, his + mark
|
|
|
Alexander Stephen
|
| John Fowler
|
Charles Bawn
|
| George Norman
|
Philip P. Perry
|
| William Young
|
George Greenway
|
| William Pepplewell
|
James Greenway, jun.
|
| W. Oakes
|
John Egerly
|
| Thomas J. Bennington
|
Roger K. Bullen
|
| Charles Davis
|
Charles John Cook
|
| S. M. D. Monro
|
Jack Monk
|
| H. Monro
|
James Lowden
|
| W. Monro
|
Peter Toohey
|
| Hugh Minshall, his + mark
|
Thomas Turner, son of the Rev.
N. Turner, Wesleyan Mission-
ary
|
| Thomas Hardman
|
|
| Michall Harvey
|
|
| William Smith, his + mark
|
James Johnson
|
| Benjamin Baker, his + mark
|
William Walker
|
| Peter Lynch
|
Peter Greenhill
|
| Edward Sullivan
|
George Coker
|
| Thomas Mc Donnell, Lieut. R. N.
|
Henry Benderson
|
| Thomas Gales
|
William Potter
|
[Image of page 437]
M. FIERFAIT
| W. Taylor
|
Jno. J. Montefiore
|
| Nelson Gravatt
|
Thomas Florance
|
| James Howland, his + mark
|
Thomas Wheatland, his + mark
|
| James G. Brane
|
John King, Church Missionary
Catechist
|
| Richard Fairburn, son of Church
Missionary Catechist
|
|
|
|
William Spence King, son of
Church Missionary Catechist
|
| Thomas Johnson
|
|
| John Best
|
|
NOTE 12.
M. Fierfait, (there may be an error in the orthography,) was a stipendiary of the British Government for his remarkable optical powers of discovering vessels when distant some hundreds of miles from Port Louis, in the ISLAND OF MAURITIUS.
He was in the habit of laying his "report" before the officer commanding the Civil Engineer's Department. There were two persons equally gifted at Port Louis, who practised their extraordinary powers of vision. In 1810, the British fleet congregated from the Cape of Good Hope and Bengal to subdue the Mauritius, were becalmed for some days off Rodrigues, an Island in south latitude 19 deg. 41', longitude 63 deg. 20' west. M. Fierfait perceived the fleet and forthwith acquainted General Decaen, (who so politely detained the celebrated navigator, Captain Flinders,) that the English fleet was in sight--"les Anglais sont arrives," said the astrographer; "En prison! avec le polisson, sacre cochon! was the testy reply of the redoubtable gouverneur, and in prison he was incarcerated. The English liberated the unfortunate planetist within the same week. My lamented friend, the late Charles Telfair, Esquire, who was employed in the. highest confi-
[Image of page 438]
POWERFUL VISION.
dential post under the new government, did every thing necessary for Fierfait's benefit, as was the wont of that gentleman towards any person who possessed a germ of science or ability. Fierfait was excessively nonplussed at one period during one of his heavenly reviews--it would have puzzled a conjuror: --he stated that he perceived two brigs lashed together making for Port Louis; as this was a novel mode of navigation, especially within the hurricane season, it caused much interest, which was allayed in three days after by a vessel named the "Transit," entering the harbour with four masts, the only instance of a ship, so masted, anchoring in that port. I requested M. Fierfait to permit me to become his pupil, if he could impart the art to another; he replied he was willing to do so as he was enabled to teach any person who had a vision that could distinguish objects at a great distance; unfortunately, my powers of sight were too opaque to profit by the opportunity. The extraordinary scenographic appearance of inverted ships in the heavens, some days previous to their actual arrival, has been seen by other gentlemen in the Mauritius, and the same was more than once asserted to me by the natives of Madagascar and New Zealand, whose abilities in viewing distant objects is superior to that of Europeans, whose visionary powers are subjected to greater powers.
NOTE 13.
The travels of the celebrated Bruce met with many animadversions from the critics of the day, who analysed his work with no sparing hand. Since his time we
[Image of page 439]
USAGES IN MADAGASCAR.
have the corroborative testimony of several travellers of undoubted merit and honourable distinction verifying his assertions.
Travelling in the plains of MADAGASCAR, in 1827, in company with some French gentlemen, I perceived at some distance from us a herd of cattle that were brousing on the luxurious herbage or drinking in the placid Pangolin, which meandered through the plain. Several of the cattle had a remarkable appearance which induced me to approach nearer to them, when to my astonishment I perceived the skin and a large portion of the flesh had been cut off from the hips of several of the animals. I turned to my companions and demanded the cause, when it appeared I excited their surprise as much as the cattle had raised mine, in (as they said) my not being aware it was a common usage in the country for the people when affected by hunger to cut off the fleshy portion of the haunch of an animal, previously moulding a paste of clay and water ready to plaster the wound, and that the lubricious remedy did not fall off until a new skin covered the lacerated parts.
NOTE 14.
Since writing the above, dispatches have been received from Sir Richard Bourke, late governor and commander-in-chief of the colony of New South Wales and its dependencies, in which His Excellency it appears has manifested the power possessed by the head of that colonial jurisdiction, a situation the above gentleman has filled
[Image of page 440]
EXECUTION OF DOYLE.
with honourable credit to himself, and with unusual satisfaction to the colonists.
JURISDICTION OF SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOOTH WALES.
"On Friday morning last, Edward Doyle underwent the extreme sentence of the law, at the usual place of execution here, for outrages perpetrated at New Zealand. It seems hitherto to have been the belief of European ruffians who prowl amongst the islands of the Pacific, that they are beyond the pale of British law; the fate of Doyle must now convince them to the contrary. The Government has most appropriately issued the following proclamation, and it is to be hoped that every vessel bound for New Zealand or any other of the South Sea Islands will take copies for dispersion in the ports of their destination:
Colonial Secretary's Office
Sydney, New South Wales,
8th December, 1837.
Representations having been made from time to time, by James Busby Esq. British Resident in New Zealand, of offences perpetrated in that island, by subjects of Great Britain, under the belief that the difficulty of conviction would ensure impunity, His Excellency the Acting Governor and the Executive Council of New South Wales deem it right to notify, for general information, that Sentence of Death has been passed by the Supreme Court of this Colony upon Edward Doyle, found guilty of stealing in a Dwelling House, at the Bay of Islands, on the 18th of June last, and putting John Wright in bodily fear; and that Doyle has been executed accordingly, this day.
His Excellency trusts that this example will afford a salutary warning to all persons who may be disposed to commit similar Acts, and by convincing them that, however remote, they are not beyond the reach of Justice, will render such Outrages less frequent in future.
[Image of page 441]
EXECUTION OF DOYLE.
The British Resident will be pleased to take the necessary steps for making this Notification generally known both to Europeans and to the Native Inhabitants.
By His Excellency's Command,
E. DEAS THOMSON.
THE END.
LONDON: SCHULZE. AND CO., 13, POLAND STREET.
[Image of page 442]
ERRATA
| Page
|
47,
|
line
|
6,
|
for
|
ingenuously read ingeniously
|
| --
|
48,
|
--.
|
2,
|
---
|
friends read fiends
|
| --
|
65,
|
--
|
10,
|
--
|
armament read ornament
|
| --
|
81,
|
--
|
27,
|
--
|
Tuiui read Tuitui
|
| --
|
150,
|
--
|
4,
|
--
|
others farther. The south society read others farther south.
|
| |
|
|
|
|
The society.
|
| ----
|
166,
|
----
|
8,
|
----
|
bewildering read bewitching
|
| --
|
205,
|
--
|
12,
|
---
|
purchased by the merchants read pursued by the merchants
|
| --
|
236,
|
--
|
13,
|
---
|
of wood of the read of wood and of the
|
| --
|
240,.
|
--
|
6,
|
---
|
ra kio read ra oki
|
| --
|
256,
|
--
|
13,
|
---
|
distant noises read inward noises
|
| --
|
266,
|
--
|
28,
|
---
|
poorka kikina read puorka kikino
|
| --
|
-'62,
|
--
|
28,
|
--
|
kai kahuroa read kai kohuda
|
