[DEDICATION]
[Image of page i]
Dedication
To the Hon. W. Fox, M. A., Late Premier of New Zealand.
Sir, --As one of the pioneers of colonization in New Zealand, with whose social and political progress you have been identified through a long course of years, this personal experience of an old Colonist is, with kind permission, respectfully inscribed by
THE AUTHOR.
CHRISTCHURCH, CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND,
February, 1877.
[Pages ii, iii (including a title page?) are missing in this copy? and page iv is blank]
INTRODUCTION
[Image of page v]
INTRODUCTION.
IT is the peculiar privilege of an author to have the first and last word. In virtue of the former, I desire to make a few remarks, premising that they will be brief and to the point.
It is nearly forty years since the systematic colonization of New Zealand was commenced. The ranks of the earlier settlers are rapidly thinning, and a new generation of workers are occupying their places; to whom an epitome of the early days, written by one of the former, may possess special interest, albeit the writer may be without either literary ability or experience.
It is generally admitted that colonists do not often rush into print; they are either too busy, or the constant strain, and physical exertions of colonial life, indispose to literary efforts; from whatever cause, there is a dearth
[Image of page vi]
of works relating exclusively to the colonies, written by colonists.
The writer of the following sketches has no pretentions towards supplying this want, but ventures to hope this humble attempt to produce a picture from his limited standpoint, of a primitive state of things now passed away, will be received with liberal allowances for its many faults and crudities.
And that it may also merit a kind consideration and support from a large and widening circle interested in the progress and advancement of "England's Colonial Empire," is the sincerest wish of the
AUTHOR
