1854 - Young, Robert. The Southern World [New Zealand sections only] - CHAPTER VIII.

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CHAPTER VIII.

ON the morning of the 21st of September, Mr. Boyce started for the South, to visit several of the Mission Stations. He was accompanied by some of the Missionaries in their "bush"

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costume, consisting of a white "wide-awake" hat, and other articles to correspond with it. Some of them would have to walk a great part of the way, about 400 miles, and in many places have to wade rivers, climb abrupt and trackless mountains, and plunge through swamps of fearful depth; but the New Zealand Missionaries, being inured to these forms of toil and discomfort, started in good spirits. Mr. Boyce, however, would find it a most trying journey.

In the evening we had a public Missionary tea-meeting in Auckland. The Rev. Walter Lawry took the chair. The meeting was well arranged, numerously attended, and fully accomplished the designed object.

22d. --I visited Mount Eden, an attractive spot, about two miles from Auckland. On its summit is the mouth of a crater, and although no volcanic action has been observed here in the memory of man, yet the country around bears indubitable marks of the overflowings of lava at some former period. Prom this mountain there is an extensive and most enchanting view. The landscape comprises lofty hills, fruitful valleys, scattered villas, beautiful bays, winding creeks, sundry islands, distant forests, and almost everything to render it picturesque and attractive. A friend from Cornwall accompanied me; and although the mountain was difficult to climb, we felt amply repaid for our toil.

23d. --This morning, in company with the Rev. Messrs. Lawry and Buddie, I set out for the "Three Kings," to visit our Native Institution. It is about four miles distant from Auckland. The day was fine, and I greatly enjoyed the ride. We passed several lovely villas, and well-cultivated farms. The progress made in agriculture in the short period of twelve years, greatly astonished me, and I could not but foresee that this fruitful district of country will soon rival some of the best cultivated parts of England. On entering the grounds belonging to the Institution, I was informed that we were passing a somewhat remarkable cave. I dismounted, and, on exploring it, found a large quantity of human bones. There is no tradition respecting this cave; but it is generally believed that

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in some time of deadly conflict between different tribes, a party had taken refuge here, and been destroyed. I took a relic, and left the place with solemn feeling. On arriving at the "Three Kings," we met with a kind reception from Mr. and Mrs. Reed. The place is beautifully situated, commanding an extensive view, and, in the arrangement of the buildings, and the laying out of the grounds, exhibits good taste. This Institution was established in 1849, for the education of native children of both sexes. A large building, 60 feet by 30 feet, is used as a school-room and a chapel. The master's dwelling-house is detached; and, in addition to the apartments exclusively used by him, comprises a sewing-room, kitchen, wash-house, and play-room, all for the use of the school. In another separate building there are six bed-rooms and a store. There are also eleven raupo cottages for the use of the pupils.

The number of persons in the Institution I found to be as follows: --

Boys................ 71
Girls .............. 25
Monitors............ 16
Wives of Monitors...... 13
Infants .............. 6
Total................ 131

The school buildings were erected with funds supplied by the Government, and the school estate, consisting of 820 acres, was granted by the Governor-in-Chief. The annual income is made up of grants from the Government and Missionary Society, and the yearly cost of each pupil is about £5.

The Government Inspectors, in their Report, say, "We agree in thinking that the skill and energy of the Master of this school are such as to leave nothing to be desired in that respect. It was suggested, however, by Mr. Reed, that if he were provided with an assistant, he would be able to render the school more efficient, by applying himself to the children individually, and not be compelled to confine so much of his attention to operating on the mass.

"Some of the boys have made great progress in carpentry, under the skilful management of Mr. Boon. The house in

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which Mrs. Reed and the girls reside was built and some of the furniture made by pupils of the school. The girls are instructed in sewing, &c., by Mrs. Reed. The examination of the children in Scriptural knowledge was highly satisfactory. Those more advanced read a chapter of St. John's Gospel, (selected by the Inspectors,) in English, and explained the meaning of the words and phrases reasonably well. The pronunciation of the more difficult English sounds, was defective in many of the children. In this point, particularly, the want of an assistant teacher was manifest. The labour of practising the children every day, and one by one, in English, is essential to secure a real mastery of the language. Many of the pupils exhibited a great readiness in performing all the operations of arithmetic, and were able to calculate mentally with rapidity and correctness. Several showed a clear comprehension of the principles of fractional arithmetic. The writing of the elder boys was without exception good, and in many cases excellent. The others were making good progress. A class was examined in English history, and afterwards in the outlines of human anatomy and physiology, with a satisfactory result in both cases. They showed also a good knowledge of geography. This school exhibits in a high degree the advantages to be obtained by the services of a teacher regularly trained to the art."

On our arrival, the children, having been anxiously waiting for us, scampered over the grounds of the Institution in every direction, rendering the scene beautifully picturesque. They were soon, however, collected into the large and commodious school-room, and, after the usual devotions, the duties of the school commenced. Copies were written, all of which were praiseworthy, and some truly elegant. Gospel History was next attended to, and the children, in answer to certain questions, stated, in English, the various facts connected with the birth and early life of the Redeemer. In Scriptural Geography they showed great aptitude, scarcely making a mistake. In English Reading, with the exception of a few words, they expressed themselves with correctness. In Mental Arithmetic they also

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appeared to advantage; and in parsing several sentences they evinced a very creditable knowledge of the principles of grammar. But the rapidity with which they translated Maori into English surprised me most, and especially as it related to the disasters of my voyage. Mr. Reed stated in the Maori language some of the difficulties I had met with in reaching this country, and they readily translated what he said into English, and thus gave a brief narrative of my voyage, with some notices of the different countries at which I had called.

In the whole of these exercises the children showed the most marked attention. Their jet black eyes, beautiful white teeth, and radiant countenances, presented a most interesting picture. Being clean and neat, though not expensively attired, they formed an assemblage of lovely and happy children, such as I had not before seen in any school. I addressed them in English, --told them that very many people in my country prayed for them, and that on my return nothing would more delight those good people than to hear they had given their hearts to the Saviour. Mr. Reed spoke to them in Maori, and ascertained that they had fully understood my address.

Dinner was now announced, and the children, after singing a merry and appropriate tune, were dismissed. We dined with Mr. and Mrs. Reed, in the same room with all the female scholars, who conducted themselves with much propriety. After dinner the boys went to various manual occupations, and the girls to sewing. The pupils assembled again in the evening: the rule of the institution being, to attend to the exercises of the school in the forenoon and in the evening, and to devote the afternoon to various forms of manual labour: the boys engaging in carpentry, husbandry, &c., and the girls applying themselves to sewing, washing, cleaning, and various domestic matters.

Mr. Reed, who is full of energy, and manifestly well suited to the position he occupies, informed me that for memory and imitation the Maori children exceeded any European scholars he had known, but that at present they did not evince the same mental power in grappling with a difficulty.

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After spending a most pleasant day at the "Three Kings" we. returned to Auckland, and on our way saw a native oven, which was being heated to cook a pig.

24th. --This morning a deputation from the Auckland Leaders'-Meeting presented to me a "Memorandum of Minutes passed at a Leaders'-Meeting held at Auckland, New Zealand, September 23d, 1853." The document contained expressions of kindness to the Deputation, of loyalty to Methodism, and of gratitude to the Missionary Society. [Note E.]

25th. --Preached this morning in the Free Scotch Church, -- a fine building, capable of accommodating 800 persons, and beautifully situated. I had been waited upon by the Minister and one of his Elders, according to a resolution of the Kirk Session, to invite me to preach in their Church, and a collection would be made in support of our Missions. In this manner they wished to evince their gratitude to the Wesleyan Ministers in Auckland, for the aid they had rendered them in occasionally supplying their pulpit, and also to show their appreciation of our efforts to evangelize the world. I could not but respond to this invitation, so indicative of Christian catholicity and brotherhood. The chapel was well attended, and the collection amounted to. £23 1s., --a sum valuable in itself, but especially so as the manifestation of lofty principle and good feeling. In the evening I preached to an overflowing congregation in our own chapel.

2Qth. --Had an interview with Epiha Putini, (Jabez Bunting,) a New Zealand Chief. He is a fine-looking man, about 36 years of age, and one of the principal Chiefs of the Waikato district. His countenance is expressive of more than an average intelligence, as well as of considerable benevolence. He embraced Christianity when quite young, and lived for some time on one of the earliest Mission stations formed in the Waikato district. In 1844, he invited the whole of the Waikato tribe to a great feast in the neighbourhood of Auckland. They collected from various districts to the number of at least 4,000 souls, and were presented with about 12,000 baskets of potatoes, about 8,000 sharks, and 600 blankets. The object of this was partly, to give his friends an opportunity of seeing Governor Fitzroy, and

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talking together about their lands and new circumstances; and partly to show the Europeans the extent of his influence. In 1845, there was a remarkable visitation of grace among the natives about Auckland, and it is believed that he became the subject of a saving work at that period.

This morning the following conversation took place between . Jabez and myself, the Rev. T. Buddle acting as interpreter; --

"What number of people belong to your tribe?"

"The division of the Waikato tribes to which I am most nearly related numbers about 200; but the whole of the tribes with which I am connected numbers about 4,000."

"Does Heathenism exist among your people? If so, under what form, and to what extent?"

"No heathen customs now live among us; the evil that is greatest among the Maoris is quarrelling about land."

"What proportion of your tribe are sincere and consistent Christians?"

"I can but reply to that in the words of the Book, which say, 'By their fruits ye shall know them.' And the fruits of many are good."

"Do the Christian people of your tribe feel thankful to the Christians of England for sending and supporting Missionaries among them?"

"They do. If Missionaries had not come to the land, great would have been our darkness and death. You came and told us the name of God, --that stopped our fighting. Last year we had a large assembly of Chiefs at Mangarei, and they said one to another, 'But for Christianity we should not have looked each other in the face.' Some had embraced Popery, and whilst the Chiefs were together they held an argument on the goodness of their respective systems of religion, --of the Pikopo's (the Papists) and ours; and they tried to convert each other. Parantene, said, 'If the Pikopos had come here first, we should never have known what was right and what was wrong. Nor do we find anything in the Book teaching us to become Pikopos.' John the Baptist, a Chief, who had become a Pikopo, and received this name, said, 'How do you know that your God is

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the right God?' Parantene replied, 'We know that our God is the right God, because he always cares for the people first, and sends his Missionaries first. Your God, if you have one, never sends his Missionaries till ours have cut down trees, and opened a path in the forest; then yours walk through it. I never heard that your Pikopo Missionaries were first on any island, but always follow when ours have cleared the way for them.' Tipene then referred to his own experience, to the love of God in his heart, to prove that our God is the right one, and the only true God. Takarei next inquired of John the Baptist why he thought Popery was straight, and asked for some evidence of its truth. The reply was, 'It teaches us to sit in peace.' Takarei answered, 'You have not had it long enough to test it. It is a new thing in this land, --its time has not been long. Wait until it has had a trial as long as our religion before you boast of it.'"

"As other nations of the world are calling for Missionaries; and as the people of New Zealand are now possessed of property, do you think they will be willing to provide for their own Missionaries, that the money now spent in their support might be employed in sending Missionaries to other dark nations? The New Testament requires this of them."

"Do you refer to the Scripture about collecting for the saints?"

"No: I refer to such Scriptures as 1 Cor. ix. 11, 13, 14: 'If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?' Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things, live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar? Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel.' Also, Gal. vi. 6, 'Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.'"

Jabez asked for some explanation, which being given, replied, "That is all good and straight." Addressing himself now to Mr Buddle, he said, "But what does this mean? If I say the New Zealanders are prepared to support their Missionaries,

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does Mr. Young intend to go away, and leave you and I to make that straight after he is gone?" I replied, "That is not my meaning. I only wish you to know what the Word of God requires of you. You have received the Book, and it requires you to support the Ministry. This is a part of Christianity. When you were but children in religion, and also poor, we did not press this upon you; but now that you have grown to be men, and are possessed of considerable property, we wish you to perform every Christian duty." In answer to this, Jabez said, "Your words are straight. This duty has been long unfulfilled by the New Zealanders; but it ought no longer to be trodden under foot. I will lift up your words, carry them with me, and give them to thousands of the people."

"In what respects have the New Zealanders improved since the arrival of Missionaries?"

"The Gospel has taught us to live in peace. It gave us love, and love is the fulfilling of the law. Before the Gospel came, there was no love. In the days before the Gospel, every man loved but one, and that was his father, --all besides were counted enemies. The Gospel has crucified all this hatred. It has made us love our fellow-men. Hence we liberated our slaves. We do not now look upon any one as a slave. All these things have been killed by love. The Gospel has made the fruits that St, Paul speaks of to grow in this land, --'Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.' All these things have come of Missionaries."

'Do you feel satisfied with the arrangements of the British Government in relation to the land question?"

"Shall I tell you what I think about the regulations of the Government in reference to our lands?" "Yes." "Then I will tell you. I think one place is straight, and another place is crooked." "Which place," said I, "do you consider straight?" He replied, "We like the law, which says, the Queen shall buy our lands first. This is quite straight. It would not do to let the Europeans buy of the natives as they like." "And which place," I farther inquired, "do you consider crooked?" "The crooked place is here. The Governor sometimes buys

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lands from Chiefs that have no right to sell them. You have a piece of land. I want some money; and I go to the Governor, and say, 'Will you buy my land?' He says, 'Yes.' I get the money, and you do not know that your land is gone. By and by you hear of it; and go to the Governor, and say, 'Is it true you have bought such a piece of land?' He says, 'True.' Then you say, 'It was mine,' and hold out your hand, saying, 'Let the last payment for it be to me.' Now, this is crooked. I have been served like this. I gave the Governor a Pukapuka, (a book or letter,) with all my lands written in it; and told him, when anybody came from my district to sell land, to look into the pukapuka. But some of those lands have been sold. This is the crooked place about our land." I remarked that the Queen was very anxious that there should be no crooked place, but that justice should be done to all her Maori subjects. The Chief replied, "That is good. When your children are under your eye, you control them: you make them do right. But when they get out of your sight, they sometimes fall into mischief. And when the Queen has her children (the Europeans) in England around her, she can keep them right; but when they get as far away as New Zealand, what can she do to keep them right? Like children out of their parents' sight, they sometimes get into mischief."

"Have you anything to say to me as a messenger from the Missionary Society, that has so long cared for the people of New Zealand?"

"This is my salutation to my Fathers in England. 'Oh, my Fathers! You are sitting at your great abode in England. How do you do? Pray without ceasing for this island. Be strong to pray for New Zealand.'"

Hone Kingi, another Chief who was present, wished to send his salutation, and said, "This is my word to the Queen, How do you do, and your people? My body is afar off, but my spirit is with you."

27th. --I visited the "Wesleyan College." This institution was opened in November, 1849. It is a substantial structure of brick, over a basement of scoria from an extinct crater in the

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neighbourhood. Its architecture is of the plainest kind, but the building contrasts favourably with the ordinary colonial erections, and is considered highly creditable to the builder, Mr. Boon, a Wesleyan, who is now most usefully employed in teaching his art to the Maori pupils at the "Three Kings." The site is elevated, and well adapted for the purposes of the institution, --combining a healthful atmosphere with cheerful scenery. Upon the crown of a hill, at present in the suburbs of Auckland, the College stands conspicuously, with the harbour in the near fore-ground, and beyond that the many islands, and the expansive gulf of Houraki. It is surrounded by about eight acres of land, appropriated as garden, play-ground, and shrubberies.

The cost of this institution has been defrayed by a Proprietary, consisting of the Missionaries in New Zealand, Friendly and Feejee Islands, aided by a liberal grant of bedding, books, &c., from the Wesleyan Missionary Committee, and by a loan yet undischarged. The income of the establishment is wholly supplied by the payments of the pupils, and has been sufficient to defray the main cost of furnishing the apartments, besides all the ordinary items of board, stipends, &c., but does not leave any reserve monies, or permit any accumulation for the security or improvement of the property. Nor does it appear that the income can ever be sufficiently large for this, though the presumption that from its position the property will considerably increase in value, operates against fears of permanent loss. It was not, however, with any mercantile expectations that the Missionaries made this bold and costly educational effort. They would, probably, all have preferred that private enterprise, or the funds of the Connexion, should provide for their need. But the greater productiveness of capital here in commercial transactions, precluded the former expedient, and the necessities of the Connexion, in England alone, gave them no hopes of the latter. Meanwhile, grievous evil was accruing to the Mission-households for want of an institution where their children could reside, --where education was the business wholly minded, --and where English and Christian ways could

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be seen on a far broader platform than in the isolated dwellings of their fathers. One great object desired was, the entire removal of the young people from the vitiated atmosphere of a native station; for it is not all at once that men raised from the grossness of heathenism acquire moral sensitiveness and decorous manners. Even where Christianity has been amending the tendencies of human society, it must have time given before it will have precipitated all its impurities. The high moral tone of British Christianity is the growth of centuries. It is something more than the clear apprehension of the ethics of Christianity, it is the intuitive perception of its proprieties, --of the "things lovely and of good report," as well as of things "just and true." More learning might be conveyed by teachers resident in their Missionary homes; but the qualities of our atmosphere tell upon physical or moral health, as effectually as the quality of our food. Yet it may be doubted whether the monotony and comparative lawlessness of a boy's existence in some thinly peopled and secluded region, does not promote intellectual mischief in the majority of cases. There, too, he is ever liable to receive his first and deepest impressions from the native mind. The first prattle of his childhood is probably moulded by a native nurse. He grows up conversant with two languages; but one of them can contribute nothing to feed his understanding, or to elevate his character; yet it is the language in which he hears the services of the Lord's house, and in which the great congregation utter their praises and their prayers. Further, though the most strenuous efforts were made by the Missionaries to keep their children aloof from those of the natives, they were not always successful. This intercourse exposed them sometimes to physical disease, and also to what was far worse, to grave moral evil. Feejee, especially, was and still is an awful residence for children. There, to this hour, men and women of every age walk abroad in almost perfect nudity; and the demons of carnage riot in all the brutalities of an unpitying warfare, and of a revenge which is not content to wound and slay, but must also cook and eat its victim, --joining the device

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of a rational creature to the appetite of a wild-beast. It is evident that, in such a land, after all the injunctions which parental solicitude could bestow, and all the defences which it could set up, there remained serious moral danger to children. Of course the Missionaries, in this and the other islands adjacent, had always been awake to the peril and disadvantage of their circumstances, and had employed every means in their power to counteract the evil. Some families had been enabled to secure a resident tutor, not usually the best that could be desired, but the best that could be found. Some children had been sent to England, at great cost and pain of separation, and fear of injury in a land or school of strangers; some had been sent to Auckland, where they were boarded in private families, and educated at day-schools. But this latter resource was fraught with many objections; the young people mingled with the miscellaneous population of a general school, where there was much opportunity for contamination after school-hours, and little or no possibility of checking it was possessed by any friends of their parents, who felt an interest in their welfare but saw them only occasionally. The children were not being educated on safe ground, and were in danger of learning evil faster than good, by moving with so little restraint when on their way to or from the daily school. It was therefore evident that the time had come for some better provision. It was for the good of the Mission-cause that the parents should be relieved from their anxiety on their children's behalf, and should not be compelled prematurely to leave their stations, in order to seek education for their families; but especially it was for the good of the children, that they should receive their education under constant domestic oversight, and with all possible encouragements to purity and propriety of conduct, and to early piety and warm attachment to the church of their fathers. It was therefore determined to provide an institution in or near the town of Auckland. The Missionary brethren raised a fund in £20 shares, which enabled them to build; and they then appealed to the Missionary Committee for individuals to take charge of their enterprise. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher

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were in consequence sent out, and arrived in Auckland, in April, 1849. In 1851 Miss Fletcher arrived; and in 1852 Mr. W. Fletcher, B. A. By their assistance, and that of Mr. Watkins, son of one of our Missionaries, the institution has been kept in full operation. "We have," says Mr. Fletcher, "gone on in faith, and with a growing conviction that our establishment was the offspring of the charge of an especial providence. Each year of our progress has shown a gradual increase of numbers. At the end of the

First year, we counted 29 clerical and 19 lay pupils.
Second ditto 36 ditto 19 ditto.
Third ditto 34 ditto 24 ditto.
Fourth ditto 37 ditto 38 ditto.

"Our day begins with the bell for rising at 6 a. m. in summer, and half-past 6 in winter; when, after a fixed time for dressing and devotions, all are expected to leave the bed-room together. Half an hour before breakfast is spent in the school-room. At 9 A. M. the day-pupils may be seen coming up from the town; and at a quarter past 9 all assemble in the school-room. The first employment is family worship. Each pupil being provided with a Bible, one of the boys reads a portion, which is followed by questions on the passage, and by a short prayer for the blessing of God upon the day. The classes then disperse to their respective rooms, and are soon in full operation. In the subject and mode of instruction, we have followed, though of course only at a great distance, Kingswood School, and our Wesleyan Proprietary Colleges. Our elder pupils have been able to read Virgil and Cicero with comparative ease, as also most of the selections in the Analecta Graeca Minora, and to write, with considerable accuracy, the exercises in Henry's Latin Book, and in Arnold's Greek Accidence. Our attention has been confined to these books, chiefly because the majority of our pupils being destined for commercial or agricultural life, and the term within which their entire education was to be commenced and ended being short, we were required to attend very much to the branches of a purely English education. We were hampered also by the necessity

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of having a large preparatory-class at the bottom of the school; in which are many too young to be sent to such an institution as this, but sent from the necessity of early removal from the Mission-stations, and from the difficulty of finding any preparatory-school to which we could safely commit them. Between the highest and this lowest class are many gradations of instruction and acquirement; but it is our aim to train all our pupils first in the accurate knowledge and use of their own language, dividing the time thus left among History, Physiology, and Natural Science, Geography, Arithmetic, and the Classics. Our highest class has also travelled through six books of Euclid, Mensuration of Superficies, and Algebra to Quadratic Equations. It will be obvious to an experienced teacher, who reads the above summary, that we are almost in danger of aiming at too much. We are, in fact, from the peculiarity of our circumstances, two schools. Nor can the higher school ever make distinguished progress while it is connected with an inferior, or where pupils have been taught the first mysteries of the primer, and to which, as well as to the higher classes, the attention of the head-master must be distributed. To judge us, therefore, by the rules and attainments of an English school of the highest order, would be very unfair. This institution is, in many respects, unique in its character, and must be judged by a standard adjusted to its peculiarities. It is a very influential peculiarity of our school, that it includes both sexes. This mixture has long prevailed in day-schools, but we are not aware of an instance in which the experiment has been made in any boarding-school of the same size and aim as ours. Boys and girls meet in the same class, and so many of them as are boarders sit down in the same refectory. At all other times they are vigilantly separated, except in the presence of one of their teachers. Now, it is manifest that the residence of forty boys and girls in the same building, brought into contact with thirty-five day-pupils, is an extremely responsible addition to the directorship, and might be productive of the most deplorable mischief. It was not by choice that this state of things came about, but by inevitable necessity. Unless both

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sexes could be educated together, one of them would be excluded from the benefit of the institution. It was therefore necessary to make the experiment. Many deemed it bold. Some shook the doubting head, and delivered gloomy oracles, though some were also hopeful. We were not ourselves without misgivings; but we reasoned from the well-known purity and happiness of families, where brothers and sisters meet and dwell together, to the conclusion that, by giving encouragement to home-feelings, by maintaining a high moral tone, and by leaving no opportunity to temptation, we might perhaps even discover good where we had feared evil. The experience of four years has established that anticipation, and we are perfectly satisfied that, with prudent oversight, and the cultivation of moral sensitiveness, the experiment may be made anywhere with perfect success. It is not, however, a state of things such as we would enter into voluntarily. We think it has promoted emulation, and general decorousness of conduct; but it makes many additional anxieties, and probably rather injures than improves the education of each party. It is, however, an anomaly, for which we do not at present see any prospect of removal. But we may reasonably expect a discreet estimate of our literary attainments as a school, when it is recollected that one-third of our pupils are young ladies.

"Another of our peculiarities is, that while we maintain, as a family, all our Wesleyanism, as a school, we are accessible to all religious beliefs. The result is, that our school-room has presented perhaps the most remarkable collection of young people to be found anywhere in the world, under the charge of a Methodist Minister. There have been or are, besides the children of our own church, members of clerical families of the Church of England, and children of its lay members in the highest posts of government and influence in the town, children from respectable Dissenting families, and several intelligent and interesting children of Jewish parents. To some of these various classes we are not permitted to convey religious instruction, but the majority are present at our morning worship, and receive Scriptural instruction; and even as to those who are not per-

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mitted to be present, we are thankful that we have the opportunity of setting before them Christian example, and plying them with many godly influences.

"Our school-day ends at half-past four, --an interval of two hours being allowed for dining and play. After tea, at about half-past five, the entire household assemble for family worship; the evening is given to preparatory studies for the next day, and at nine P. M.. the last party of scholars retires to rest; and about the time that Cheapside is full, and the Banks are opening in England, our dwelling begins to be quiet, after about fifteen hours of commotion.

"The distance at which the homes of most of our pupils are from Auckland, restricts us to vacation but once a year, --in November. The last act of the year is a public examination, which we have been accustomed to give, not from any wish to enjoy an exhibition of ourselves in holiday attire, and with well-crammed respondents, but simply for the sake of keeping alive the sympathy between ourselves and the friends of the institution. Our largest room, on this occasion, has always been crowded with a most intelligent and distinguished audience.

"'Breaking up' is a stirring time, in every school, but there is a touch of the romantic about some of the pupils' vacation journeyings, beyond those of the English boy's sphere of things. The homes of many of the scholars are situate in the remote interior, at a distance of from 150 to 300 miles. Railroads and steam-boats are not yet, and even the dispensation of coach and waggon has not reached this land. An English student of the day when Hooker trudged, staff in hand, to Oxford, might have figured to himself school-boy itineration in New Zealand, more readily than the favoured Alumni of the 19th century. Small coasting vessels usually convey some of the pupils to their homes, --providing few comforts during their voyages of uncertain length, and some occasional risk. Other groups of sons and daughters take the inland journey; and starting on foot, and surrounded by loquacious and well-laden natives, direct their way, under the guidance of their fathers, towards some one of the rivers which forms a highway into the

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very heart of New Zealand. On these picturesque waters the travellers each morning launch their canoe, working up with paddle, and blanket outspread as sail; now floating in the shadow of tall forest-trees possessed by fantastic parasites winding around their stems, and hanging grassy tufts upon their long denuded arms; and then skirting a verdurous wall of pendant shrubs; relieving the weariness of leisure by books, or merry chat, and numerous attacks with keen appetite upon the commissariat. Every evening the tents are pitched by the waterside; in wet weather, probably in some native shed of reeds, if the demands of the vociferous landlord or tenant can be levelled down to moderation, and there seems no superabundance of certain nimble parasites. Potatoes, with dried eels, or shell-fish, or sturdy potfulls of flour sweetened with sugar, are soon discussed around the fires of the native travellers, while the Anglo-Saxon race are busy with tea, and many substantial accompaniments. Evening and morning, all assemble for worship; the Scriptures are read; old familiar tunes swell on high, -- the deep chanting tones of the natives prevailing; then prayer is made to God, the giver of all good, and the only strong protector. Fathers and children are soon at rest, on their couch of dry fern, or leaves well spread with blankets, with heads too weary to think whether the pillows be soft. Around their fires, however, their Maori attendants keep up a ringing discharge of gossip; rehearsing the news of Auckland, to be again reviewed in the ears of curious listeners at home; speculating on a hundred of things, sacred and secular, until the stars are sloping westward. Thus, during a week or more, they journey, varied by walks through dull woods, or waste of tall tawny fern, until they meet once more the greetings and rejoicings of home. English school-boys would find their imaginations all astir after a vivid recital of these adventures, and, coupled with a portraiture of vacation amusements in the bush, would work up, in the hands of a Defoe or William Howitt, a fascinating book for the library of schoolboydom. Perhaps many of the pupils of the Auckland institution pass over a stranger road in their

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journeys to and from school, than any other boys and girls in the wide world.

"This institution has furnished several examples of steady piety; and one of the elder pupils, whom God took a year ago, was a genuine Christian; and whilst it is conducted as at present, it cannot but be productive of spiritual as well as intellectual benefit."

I was much pleased with my visit. The examination which took place was highly respectable, and the order of the institution such as to excite admiration. Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher are manifestly well fitted for the important and responsible post they occupy; and I do not wonder that the establishment over which they so efficiently preside, should be held in high estimation by the citizens of Auckland.

28th. --To-day I learned that a gentleman, who some years ago resided in Sunderland, and who was supposed to have been drowned whilst bathing, is yet alive. His leaving his clothes on the beach was intended to conceal from public view the wickedness he was about to commit. Although a married man, and occupying a position of great respectability, he eloped with a young lady of good connections, and is now living in New Zealand, a professed infidel, but under a feigned name. The lady, so thoroughly ruined, I understand from those who have seen her, evinces deep mental wretchedness, and bitterly regrets the day she left her home.

In the evening we had a meeting of all the members of the Wesleyan church in and about Auckland. Several addresses were delivered by Ministers and laymen; and the earnest desire manifested to promote and sustain a deeper and more aggressive piety, afforded me great satisfaction. I was not prepared to meet with so much lofty principle and Christian feeling in Auckland; or to find Methodism occupying in New Zealand so respectable and influential a position as it unquestionably does. It has done much for the country, even its "enemies being judges;" and it has laid a broad foundation for more powerful and extensive results.

29th. --Visited the Wesleyan Day-school in Auckland. The

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school-room is large, airy, and well arranged, with suitable playground attached. The Glasgow system of teaching is adopted; and the average attendance of children 60, many of whom are very young. The institution is conducted by Mr. and Mrs. Singer, and is supported by the weekly school payments, --the elder children paying one shilling per week, and the younger sixpence. In the examination, some of the children acquitted themselves well, but others yawned, and manifested no interest on the occasion, and certainly did not contrast favourably with the Maori children at the "Three Kings."

30tA. --To-day I received several letters from the monitors and scholars of the "Three Kings." The writing in every case is respectable, and some of it beautiful. The letters are written in the Maori language, and the following translations by Mr. Reed, I give as specimens.

"MY FATHER, --How do you do? Here is my talk. Listen to me. This is not indeed my thoughts of to-day, but my thoughts in the beginning, when I saw the greatness of my sins; because I was the most wicked man of all my tribe. In the year 1847, on the 20th day of June, I went to the chapel, in the evening of the Sabbath, to tempt the men of God; but Mr. Smales spoke Christ's words. (Matt. xxii. 12, 13.) The whip came to me. When I came out of the chapel, I fell down. My friends thought that some bad sickness had come to me. I was led to my house. Whilst I was lying, the greatness of my sin was shown to me. I was unable to count them; but this I know, they were as high as the mountains of the world. While I was thus dark, I spoke to God, that my body and my soul might be put to death. Great indeed was my darkness. During six days I did not eat. On the 2d of July, while praying, the light shone into my soul, and, from that time, the growing greater of the love of God in my heart commenced, and also the love of man, which has continued down to this day. This is all. From your loving child.
"From FAIRBAIRNE."

"Father!--This is my thought. Listen to me. Long ago this island was lost in darkness. It was just as when a man is asleep in the night. There was no candle to give light. Although the sun shone upon the people of the land, the souls were dead. Afterwards, the Ministers of the Gospel came. They caused the men to rise from their sleep. Then a Missionary came to my village. Wallis was his name. He said to the people, 'Friends, get up. Give over sleeping. Rise!' I heard that voice. My heart complied with the book of God, spoken by that Minister. Then stood the school at 'Three Kings.' I lived at this place. Here I am, praising God who saved me. My soul consents to the book of God, who

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is great and who lives. Here is the teacher of this school, pulling the children and the men, that they may be brave to work the work of God. Great is the strength to strive of this man, Mr. Reed, that the people may be saved. My body and soul have been given to God. All that my soul looks at, is, Jesus Christ upon the Cross. This is all my thought.
"From WILLIAM BARTON."

"My LOVING FATHER YOUNG, --Great is my love to the men of England who have saved the people of New Zealand from the hand of death. Let God be praised, who sent the Ministers of the Gospel to the people of this island. When the men of England came here, the people turned to the living God. Some did not turn to the Saviour. There is no other Saviour but one. When the Ministers came, I was a child. When I could hardly know, I went to Mr. Whiteley's place, to a meeting. Mr. Whiteley spoke to the people. When my father heard, he considered, but did not fully comply. The men spoke that the children should go to the school at 'Three Kings.' The children came, then I came. When we had crossed to the side of Kawhia-Harbour, my father came in pursuit of me. He did not wish me to go, lest I should die. He spoke to me. I would not hear his speech, because I had heard that the school was good. I was not willing to go back to foolishness. Then my father flew upon my clothes. My shirt and my blanket were taken by him. I had no clothes left, save one shirt. I was not dark, angry to my father. When we had gone forty miles on our journey, and had come to the village, my father appeared again, to take me back. Great was his beating of me. By my heart seeing the love of God, I came to the 'Three Kings.' Great is the goodness of the school, from the love of God. This is all.
"From MARTIN."
(Martin is a boy.)

"MY FATHER!--This is my talk. Formerly I did not know God. My heart was evil only, and so was my body, and all my thoughts. In those days I did not see good; but God sent his Book and his servants. By this book I was enlightened while in the depth of sin. This thing--the sin-- was a wonderful thing to my eyes, now that the book of God was come, which called me out of darkness to this rejoicing. The first thing by which I knew, was my listening to the word of God. The second thing was my consenting to be God's man. The third was my receiving a penitent heart for my sins. The fourth was my giving my body, and soul, and spirit, and all, all my parts, that I might be a worker for God. I have given my heart, and the love of God has been poured out, of which it is not possible to speak. Great indeed is the depth of the love of God.

"My next talk is about Chatham Islands. My thought is, that the 'John Wesley' should visit there. For many years I have striven with the Ministers, that one of them should go there. You will arrange this. They are dark. I do not say a Minister should live there. But let him go to examine and baptize. I am very dark about this. My letter and Mr. Reed's have reached them, and they have written complainingly. Therefore, I say, let this be arranged by you. Let 'John Wesley' go there

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every year. They have seen the book of God; let them also see the man book. Friend, let this be arranged by you.
"From PHILIP HANNAH."

"GOOD FRIEND!--Listen to my thoughts. Before coming to this school, my father spoke to me that I should forsake the works of the children. I listened to my father: I was then a child. At that time there was a man, who was almost a papist. I knew how to read. I had seen the laws. I knew that Jesus was the Saviour. I hastened to pray, but he got no light. I desired to go to this man. I strove with him. He prayed, and his friends, with some others. Afterwards a preacher came, and he was instructed. This was the beginning of my desire to the good work of God. I came to the school. I was taught by Mr. Reed. Great was my desire for school. Great was the joy of my heart on seeing the blessings. Listen to me! This is the thing that will make men Chiefs-- the school. This is the thing which makes us glad while we read many books. We read the Bible, and books which tell us about window-glass, and pots in which iron is melted. A great many other good works which have been given to us. With us here is a school, a teacher, a good house, land, wheat, potatoes, horses, flour, rice, sugar, and clothing. Great is our joy. Who then gave us these things? The white man, not our fathers. Therefore we say. Let God he praised, and let England and those other good countries be thanked. Great is the joy of our hearts. The chief joy is the love of God in us. Therefore say I, for God shall be my works.
"From KEVERN."
(A very interesting boy.)

"MY LOVING FATHER YOUNG, --This is my thought. Listen. From the greatness of the love of God in your hearts, you sent Missionaries hither, and teachers to save the men of this island. Great is the love of the white man to the Maori in this island, in their trying to save the souls of the people. Religion came not from our fathers to us. No, Sir, it began with us, the young men. By the striving of the 'pakeha,' (white men,) and us by speaking the word, the fathers were led to believe. That which they loved, was the gun and powder, to shoot men, that they might die. This was my word to my fathers, --'It is not the gun, nor the powder, nor yet the blanket, nor all the things of the white man, that forms the true riches for us. But these riches are good for the body. The riches for the soul is, faith in the word of God, and our heavenly Redeemer.' They believed. Great was the joy of my heart. Our Chief went to preach the word of God. I was his companion. The name of our Chief is Robert Newton. He drew the men up to the good, because he was the great Chief of my tribe. After this the whole people believed in God, and were named the 'loving people.' This was after my coming to this school at the 'Three Kings.' There is one evil that sticks to the people, --the thought to the land. But, by the prayers of the sacred people, all these evils shall be destroyed. This is all my word to you. From your loving child.
"From MORGAN."

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"GREAT FRIEND, --Listen to my thought. Great is my grief for my foolishness. By the Gospel I was made to know the things of God. I was overtaken while sitting with a sick body and sick soul; therefore my thought knew the love of God was great to me, the wicked boy. And may God himself teach my soul the good things! Do not let your heart be dark. Rather praise God. Let the good of the men of this land be enlarged. It is a right thing that God should be praised for giving his Book to the men of this island. The way to heaven has been shown, and all the good things by which men may secure blessings. Be not weary in well-doing.
"From TAMATI."

"FRIEND, --How do you do? This is my talk to you. I was a wicked man while I lived in my natural state, --while I prayed foolishly to God, while I was ignorant of God's word. Now that my heart is renewed, while I pray, great is the sweetness of the word of God to my heart. Therefore I pray constantly to God in these days. Christ's word in Matt. vi. 6, is my light, with other of the words of God. Sweet indeed is the word of God to my soul. My heart truly knows God. My soul truly clings to Jesus Christ. My heart truly loves him. I worship God truly. I know that God is my Father, that I am a child of his. The works which I work are done for God. That which makes me afraid is, lest my Father should be grieved by me. My talk shall not now be lengthened to you. This is all about the matter.

"Here is the greatness of my desires for the majority of the natives. Many of the men of this island have been baptized, but they have returned to evil. They knew not God. They are foolish with respect to the things of God. Here is another thing, --there is no desire in the foolish man to give his child to the school, that he may be taught from the book of God. Some are willing, being desirous to know figures, that they may know how to buy and sell, but not the word of God. The things of the body are things which are chiefly desired by the Maoris. But this is my desire, to pray to God that this foolish thought may be lessened in all the island. This is my thought, Let schools he multiplied in all the villages, that the children may be taught the word of God. With us is land for schools. Great is my desire that the children should know the word of God, because this is a very foolish people. Strive continually in prayer that the strong wall of Satan may be overthrown. Here is the great evil of the Maori, --laziness to work. Because of this, love to God is feeble. But by this thing, by the schools, shall it be known; because it is from the fathers that the evil comes. They allow the children to he masters; and from this the children are disobedient to their parents. Therefore, I say, let the islands be covered with schools, that the whole of this country may be for God. This is from your loving child.
"From JOHN EGGLESTONE."