1873 - Kennedy, A. New Zealand - CHAPTER II.

[Image of page 49]

CHAPTER II.

[Image of page 50]

[Page 50 is blank]

[Image of page 51]

CHAPTER II.

[Image of page 52]

THERE is an obscure tradition, and likewise fragmentary evidence still existing, which go far towards establishing the belief that New Zealand was not unknown to the early Portuguese navigators, prior to the period of its generally reputed discovery. But as far as authentic history extends, nothing was known respecting this group of islands until their discovery by Captain Abel Janssen Tasman about the middle of the seventeenth century. Tasman was a bold and adventurous Dutch sailor, and had been appointed to the command of a squadron despatched on a voyage of discovery to the South Pacific Ocean, at that time an unknown and unexplored region.

This expedition was projected and equipped by Antonio Van Diemen, the Dutch Governor of Java, who appears to have been offended with Tasman for presuming, without his knowledge or authority, to have fallen in love with his daughter, the beautiful Maria Van Diemen, and resorted to this method of deportation in order to exile him from the country which he governed, as well as to break off the attachment existing between him and his daughter. He sailed from Batavia in the year 1642; and as the vessels selected for the expedition were designedly old and shattered, he was regarded as a devoted man, bound on some dark and desperate enterprise, and his return from such a voyage was neither intended nor expected. Tasman, however, seems to have possessed both skill and enterprise as a navigator, and not only distinguished himself by the importance of his discoveries, but, overcoming all the difficulties and dangers to which he was exposed, had the good fortune to return in safety, to describe the particulars of his voyage, narrate his adventures and

[Image of page 53]

to claim the hand of the lady for whose sake he had perilled his life, fame and fortunes.

We are told that he discovered in this voyage the three islands situated to the north of New Zealand, called the 'Three Kings,' and gave them their name 'Drei Konig;' and when he arrived in sight of the mainland at the northern extremity of the North Island, like a dutiful son of the Church and a gallant Dutchman,

and he named the land he first sighted, 'in memoriam' of his lady love, Cape Maria Van Diemen, which to this day still bears her name, and will remain for ever an interesting memorial of this romantic incident.

Leaving Cape Maria Van Diemen on his larboard, he continued his course southwards, and after rounding many a bold promontory in its long line of coast, arrived in a placid and pleasant bay, enclosed on all sides with hills, in some places rising from the shores in picturesque and mountainous landscapes. Attracted by the aspect of security and tranquillity of this place, as well as prompted by the desire of endeavouring to obtain some information respecting the country, he was induced to indulge in repose after his voyage. He therefore dropped his anchors, and the ships rode safely on the smooth waters of this capacious and sheltered haven. Although apparently uncultivated, the country seemed to be populous, and the shores were soon crowded with inhabitants, who, collecting in groups, stood gazing in wonder at the strange visitors, although they did not venture near the ships. These people are described by Tasman as

[Image of page 54]

being very tall, with hoarse and loud voices, as slightly clothed in garments which looked like matting, and in aspect in some features resembling the Japanese; but their appearance and conduct did not give any indication either of wealth or civilisation. Many of them were armed with huge clubs, and when the people who landed from the ships manifested, in a friendly way, a desire to communicate with them, they displayed great hostility, attacking and killing some of the party. Hence the place was called 'Moodeneares' Bay, and is now known as Massacre Bay. This unpropitious event created an unfavourable impression of the character and disposition of the inhabitants, and as the aspect of the country was broken, rugged and hilly, as well as covered with wild and dense vegetation, a hasty and unfavourable opinion seems to have been formed respecting it, and a low estimate entertained of its fertility and productions. In those early days of adventure and discovery, no remote and newly-discovered country was deemed valuable unless the rivers were seen rolling over golden sands, the mountains gleaming with gems and precious metals, and the groves luxuriant with spices and perfumes.

The Dutchman therefore, under such circumstances, appears to have been disappointed with the country, and attached little importance to his discovery; while beyond giving the group the name of New Zealand, his countrymen appear to have neglected and abandoned it altogether.

For more than one hundred years after Tasman's discovery it attracted little or no attention; the country remained unknown audits shores unexplored, the vast ocean that surrounded it was seldom en-

[Image of page 55]

livened by the sails of a ship, or witnessed the presence of civilised man. Now and then, perhaps, the crew of some roving and suspicious-looking craft may have viewed the dim outline of its mountain ranges, or the mariners of some wandering bark, driven from its course by storms and tempests over the vast wilderness of waters in that boundless ocean, may have seen its coastline from a distance. One unfortunate vessel is supposed to have been wrecked on its shores, and the crew murdered by the inhabitants; but until the group was visited by the celebrated navigator, Captain Cook, in the year 1769, New Zealand was a land enveloped in mystery and peril, a terra incognita, and a blank on the map of the globe.

Cook, with characteristic zeal, skill, and sagacity, had their coastline roughly drawn on a chart, explored the channel which separates the North from the South Island, and named it Cook's Strait. He landed, and took possession of the country on behalf of Great Britain, being fully satisfied that it would become a favourite field not only for settlement and colonisation, but for commercial enterprise and traffic. Cook subsequently visited New Zealand in 1773 and 1777, and the glowing descriptions of the country and climate which appeared in the fascinating narrative of his voyages, created a favourable impression respecting it on all who read them.

From that time great importance was attached to its possession, and the expression of public opinion in England in favour of New Zealand being made a British colony was almost universal. Various schemes were projected with this object in view, and one of them was supported by the celebrated

[Image of page 56]

American statesman and philosopher, Benjamin Franklin, who, during the American War, gave orders that Cook's squadron, despatched on a voyage of discovery, should be exempt from all attacks by the Americans. But the formidable hostility apprehended from the native inhabitants, who were represented to be very numerous, as well as extremely ferocious, delayed for a time the carrying out of the measures in contemplation for founding settlements. 1

In the meantime, the attention of the British Government was directed by Captain Cook to the great island of New Holland, as a country, from its remoteness and separation from the rest of the world, well adapted as a place of banishment for the convicted criminals of Great Britain. The loss of the American Colonies, up to that time the place of exile of convicted felons, rendered the selection of a new and distant country for this purpose a matter of urgent necessity.

A final settlement was therefore founded in the year 1788 at Port Jackson, the future Sydney of Australia; a governor, with a staff of officers, accompanied by a party of soldiers as a guard, was sent out to maintain law and order, and conduct the affairs of the settlement. Amongst the officers was a chaplain to attend to the religious instruction of the convicts, and with their increasing numbers his duties were multiplied to such an extent as to render the appointment of an assistant necessary A young

[Image of page 57]

English clergyman, the Rev. Samuel Marsden, was selected for the office, and he arrived in the colony in the year 1793. This gentleman was subsequently destined, as the founder of the Church of England Mission in New Zealand, to exercise great influence in the affairs and condition of the native inhabitants of that country.

The settlement founded at Port Jackson created a certain amount of trade and stimulated commercial enterprise in that distant dependency, and as the hitherto unfrequented seas were found to be swarming with the sperm whale, and the coasts of some of the neighbouring islands to abound in seal, a spirit of adventure and enterprise was engendered amongst the colonists by the attraction of this undeveloped wealth, which resulted in the employment of numerous vessels in the whale fisheries of the adjoining seas, as well as in trading and sealing expeditions to the coasts of New Zealand. In such expeditions the numerous and safe harbours in these islands were convenient places of rendezvous, not only for shelter but in order to procure supplies of wood and water, and such other productions as the country afforded. In these visits, as the adventurers in the first instance were viewed with suspicion by the natives, frequent and sometimes deadly quarrels ensued; by degrees, however, a more friendly intercourse was established, which soon led to a more extended and satisfactory system of traffic betwixt the two races, till at length such was the confidence experienced on the part of the natives towards their visitors, that numbers of them were induced to accept a passage in their ships, and to visit the English settlement at Port Jackson. When the New Zealanders arrived there, they were

[Image of page 58]

viewed with as much interest and curiosity by the colonists as the Ancient Britons were probably by the Roman soldiers when they visited Caesar's camp in Gaul before he invaded their country. In this manner, Mr. Marsden first became acquainted with the New Zealanders, and began to take great interest in their welfare and condition. He formed a high and by no means an exaggerated estimate of their character. 'They are a noble race,' he writes; 'vastly superior in understanding to anything you can imagine in a savage nation,' and he invited many of them to reside with him at his hospitable parsonage near Paramatta. While on a visit to England in the year 1808, Mr. Marsden laid the foundation of the Church of England Mission to New Zealand, and the measures designed and practically carried out by him, in order to effect its successful introduction into that country, were an enterprise of such genuine philanthropy, subjecting him not only to hardships and privations, but to personal risks and dangers, that they will for ever render his name famous in that country as the apostle of Christianity; and, like Captain Cook, he will be distinguished to all posterity as one of the greatest benefactors of the native inhabitants.

Various circumstances, and, amongst others, the fearful massacre of the crew and passengers of the ship 'Boyd,' at the harbour of Whangaroa, by the natives, delayed Mr. Marsden's visit to New Zealand until January 25, 1814, when he sailed from Sydney Cove, accompanied by his friend Mr. Leddard Nicholas, and three missionaries with their wives and families, and on his arrival received a friendly welcome from the natives.

[Image of page 59]

The arrival of the first missionaries in New Zealand marks an important and interesting epoch in its early history. Uncivilised man is a being almost the same in every country, and the history of the British Isles furnishes no exception to this rule. Missionaries came from Rome to convert our heathen and barbarian ancestors to Christianity, in the same manner as the missionaries from England introduced Christianity into New Zealand, who step by step instructed and partially civilised the natives, and thus paved the way to its eventual settlement as a British colony. The hearty welcome received by Mr. Marsden and his coadjutors from the natives, as well as the kind manner in which they were invited to remain and reside among them, were circumstances highly encouraging, and formed a connecting link of sympathy betwixt the two races which greatly facilitated the completion of all measures necessary for the formation of the first mission station in the country. The chief settlement was formed at the Bay of Islands, where the head-quarters of the mission still remain; but its sphere of operations was in a short time extended to all places of importance on the east coast, and where the largest native population resided, including Tauranga and Port Nicholson. In these early times, missionary life in New Zealand possessed many attractions to a devoted, intrepid, and intelligent missionary: a fine climate, picturesque scenery, and a noble race of savages, who could comprehend and appreciate the benefits of knowledge and the blessings of religion; while, from the high estimation in which his knowledge, piety, and wisdom were held, the missionary was exalted into a position of power, influence, and authority, which a despot

[Image of page 60]

would have envied. The mission-house was usually a well-selected place of residence, convenient for wood and water, and in the vicinity of a native pah, or village. A taste for landscape gardening was occasionally displayed in the manner in which the grounds were laid out. Around the house appeared a verdant lawn, skirted with copse wood, exhibiting an English partiality for turf and trees. A well-cultivated garden, producing fruit and vegetables, and displaying a few specimens of native plants, with a sprinkling of English flowers, indicated a taste for picturesque scenery and that refinement which appreciated it, on the part of the missionary; but under any circumstances, the mission station was a place of rendezvous and an object of attraction for all classes, as it pos-sessed all the necessaries and comforts, as well as some of the luxuries, of civilised life. In those days the natives attached little or no importance to their time and labour, and their services were freely placed at the disposal of the missionary, either in building houses or cultivating their fields.

On his expeditions into the interior and to distant parts of the country, the missionary usually travelled en prince, being accompanied by a retinue of natives employed in carrying his tent, blankets, and opossum rug, as well as provisions; and although not assuming the character of a sportsman himself, he frequently entrusted to one of his native party the favourite fowling-piece belonging to the mission, and wild duck and wood-pigeons were an agreeable variety in his bill of fare on his journey. Travelling in this manner, a geographical knowledge of the country was obtained, and important information respecting the character and condition of its inhabitants, as well

[Image of page 61]

as much of the early and valuable evidence as to its natural history. When thus wandering with them through the forests, exploring rivers in their canoes, and talking with them around their evening camp fires, the savage character and turbulent habits of the natives, from the constant fighting and feuds going on among different tribes, exposed the missionary frequently to imminent dangers; at the same time, to an intrepid and intelligent character, a man of a truly missionary spirit, such occurrences only afforded an opportunity for the display of resolution and firmness, qualities highly appreciated by all Maories, and which, when exhibited, never failed not only to restore peace among the natives, but to command their esteem and admiration.

Many years after this period, when the country had become a British colony, and all apprehensions of violence from the natives had ceased, this way of making tours into the interior of the country, accompanied by natives as guides and camp equipage bearers, was fashionable; and the writer of these pages looks back with pleasure to those early days employed in such excursions as by far the most pleasant and agreeable he ever spent in the colony.

In such rambling expeditions there was a genuine pleasure experienced in escaping from the arbitrary and conventional habits of colonial life--for the pure enjoyment, charming simplicity, and unrestrained freedom of primitive existence to be found in the interior of the country beyond the boundary line of settlement and civilisation. In those then comparatively remote places, the country, as lovely as any the sun ever shines upon, was still as nature had made it.

[Image of page 62]

There was the glorious vegetation of the primeval forests, whose scenery was always attractive; the landscape radiant under the sunshine and blue sky, with its shades, lawns, rocks and waters untouched by the hand of man, and disclosing at every step in our wanderings some interesting object in natural history to attract our attention and arrest our progress; the narrow Maori pathway by swamp, stream, and woodland, required constant attention to keep our horses on their legs and our seats in the saddle; then the evening camp at sunset, with its blazing wood fire, when we sought repose, enjoying our humble fare, accompanied by the refreshing pannikin of warm tea, a delicious beverage after the fatiguing though healthful toil during the heat of the day; while the whole scene was made joyous and animated by the high spirits, talk, chaff, and intelligence of the Maories. And then concluding the day with the formal 'good-night,' addressed to our Maori companions, before turning into our little tent, with its bed of fern made cosy with the opossum rug, on which we experienced the sweetest and most refreshing slumbers, without entertaining the remotest apprehension of peril either from our companions or the neighbouring Maories, who went to sleep in groups around the fire, or under a tree, wrapped up in their blankets.

Getting up early in the morning perhaps we embarked in a canoe, on some half-explored and unknown river, with our camp equipage, including our favourite fowling-piece--everything in order, and the canoe handled with skill and dexterity by the natives, who would paddle us in our journey to the places where thousands of wild ducks were assembled at

[Image of page 63]

their early morning rendezvous, on some sandbank, when we would knock over as many as would provide us with food for the day.

I remember, in one of these rambling excursions into the interior of the country, proceeding up the Waikato River in a canoe, and accompanied by a party of natives. It was a lovely autumn afternoon, a period of the year so delightful in the New Zealand climate, and as we glided along, stretched at our ease in the canoe, the natives appeared to enjoy the Italian sky, balmy air, and beauty of the landscape, as much as ourselves, and in that dreamy enjoyable condition relaxed their exertions, slackening their speed, and nearly suspended dipping their paddles leisurely in the deep, broad, and placid stream. We therefore for amusement, and at the same time in order to stimulate them into activity, made and recited verses about them and their country, to which they listened patiently for some time with grim good humour; then, consulting together for a little, they, in imitation of us, assumed the air and style of improvisators, and commenced to make verses about us by way of retaliation, at the same time increasing the speed of the canoe, and keeping time with the stroke of their paddles to their song. Such a lay did not possess, as might be expected, any claim to a high standard of ballad poetry, but I quote it as showing their intelligence and humour, as well as how easily they could imitate us, and adapt themselves to our condition, appreciate the fun, and enter into the spirit of such scenes.

[Image of page 64]

THE MAORI SONG ON THE PAKIA.

Among the early pioneers in New Zealand missionary enterprise there were some devoted and good men, whose minds were animated with the love of humanity, and at the risk of their lives endeavoured not only to ameliorate the condition of the natives, by imparting knowledge and the truths of religion, but also courageously maintaining their claim to

[Image of page 65]

freedom and independence. Such a man was the late Venerable Archdeacon Henry Williams, a man of mark among the missionaries of New Zealand, who was no less conspicuous for his gentlemanlike demeanour in private life, than distinguished for intrepidity of character, firmness and administrative ability, in all transactions and negotiations with the native race. It was through his influence that the native chiefs were induced to sign the famous 'Treaty of Waitangi,' ceding the sovereignty of the islands to the Queen, and mainly by his exertions that the peaceful annexation of the country to England was achieved. His brother, the present Bishop of Waipu, is no less distinguished for his zeal and devotion as a missionary than he is personally esteemed in private life, and is, moreover, one of the most accomplished Maori scholars and philologists in the colony.

While the missionaries were employed in forming stations, instructing the natives, and exploring the country, the trading adventurers were no less active in their pursuits, and had established trading ports at the Bay of Islands, Hokianga, Tauranga, Port Nicholson, and at various other places. The coasts of New Zealand, abounding with the sperm whale, and likewise with seal, the numerous harbours were frequently visited by vessels in their whaling, sealing, and trading expeditions; vessels likewise occasionally arrived from Sydney in ballast, in order to fill up and load with timber, oil, and flax; and a regular and increasing trade was in this manner at an early period established. Many of the people connected with these whaling, sealing, and trading expeditions, allured by the attractions of the native

[Image of page 66]

women, were induced to remain and settle in the country. These persons lived under the protection of some chief, became proprietors of land, on which they settled, built a house, enclosed and laid out a garden, cultivated their potatoes, and had pigs and poultry, as well as a troop of half-caste children growing around them. In this way were united both races, not only in the peaceful bonds of a common welfare, but by the still more binding ties of sympathy and affection, and all the engaging relations of social existence.

This condition of affairs attracted the attention of the Government, who, in order to assist the natives in maintaining their authority, gave them a national flag, and in the year 1833 appointed a commissioner, under the control of the Government of New South Wales and the Foreign Office, to reside among them. By these measures, trade was not only stimulated, but a desire to settle in the country, and acquire the possession of land, was promoted. This passion for land and love of territory, so characteristic of our race, were not confined to those who resided in the country, but were displayed by the wealthy merchants and settlers in Australia; indeed, all classes vied with each other in the desire to acquire land in New Zealand, and for a few muskets or a bale or two of blankets, the natives were induced to assign away territory as large as an English county. In the meanwhile, many schemes were projected for founding settlements in the country, but none of them were practically successful. At last, however, in the year 1838, a company was formed in London for colonising and founding settlements in New

[Image of page 67]

Zealand. The chief adviser and guiding spirit in this undertaking was Edward Gibbon Wakefield, a man gifted with abilities of a high order, which, if properly directed, might have raised him to be Prime Minister of England, and enrolled his name in the Peerage. This association, known as the New Zealand Company, was introduced to public notice by a galaxy of names as directors, distinguished for influence and wealth, and animated with a spirit of adventure and enterprise, seldom aroused in England since the time when Sir Harry Vane and his companions sailed from its shores to found settlements in America.

The names of the Earl of Durham and Mr. Charles Buller, besides those of many others of wealth and influence, were sufficient to establish the character of this company on a solid basis that indicated power, wealth, and enterprise; and a number of ships with emigrants, many of them sons, elder as well as younger, of some of the best families in the kingdom, were despatched from England about the middle of the year 1839. These emigrants were destined to be the founders of the colony of New Zealand.

In order to create public enthusiasm in favour of this expedition, every circumstance calculated to attract attention and attach importance to it was employed by this powerful company. Peers of Parliament and members of the House of Commons went on board the vessels to address the emigrants on the eve of their departure; and Tom Campbell, the greatest living poet in England at the time, was induced to write the following ode on the occasion:

[Image of page 68]

According to the principles and practice of the British Constitution, the subjects of the realm have no power to found colonies or establish settlements

[Image of page 69]

without the authority of the mother country; and as this company had not obtained the sanction of the Crown, the Government, in order to avoid a conflict with such a powerful body, and to prevent their operations from assuming an irregular, if not an illegal, character, took immediate and judicious measures, either to establish a protectorate jointly with the natives, or with their sanction to proclaim New Zealand a British colony. A naval officer, Captain William Hobson, who had visited New Zealand in the course of service, was therefore invested with the necessary powers for this purpose, and despatched with all expedition to Sydney, in order to place himself under the control and guidance of Sir George Gipps, Governor of New South Wales; and on his arrival, that able governor lost no time in sending him on to New Zealand in a ship of war. Captain Hobson arrived at the Bay of Islands on January 29, 1840, and a few days afterwards, on February 7, New Zealand was proclaimed a British colony, and a dependency of New South Wales. 3 The same day, the native chiefs, having ceded by treaty the sovereignty of the islands to the Queen, the latter guaranteed to them all the rights and privileges of British subjects. This act, annexing the country to England, was executed at the famous convention of chiefs, held at Waitangi. Bay of Islands, on the day last named, and is known in the annals of the colony as the 'Treaty of Wai-

[Image of page 70]

tangi.' Prior to the completion of this treaty, the New Zealand Company's ships had arrived at Port Nicholson, landed their immigrants, who, 4 under the auspices of the company's agent, Colonel William Wakefield, took possession of certain blocks of land, alleged to have been purchased from the natives, and after the manner of their Saxon ancestors, established a provisional and local self-government. In this manner was New Zealand annexed to the British Crown, and not a day too soon, for a ship of war had already been despatched from France, to take possession of the country, and very shortly after the completion of the 'Treaty of Waitangi,' made its appearance in the seas and waters of New Zealand.

The French, shortly previous to this period, had adopted a colonising policy, and manifested a desire to obtain territory in the South Pacific, for the purpose of founding a colony, and, with this object in view, the captain of a French whaling ship purchased from the natives a tract of country at Banks' Peninsula, returned to France, and brought this circumstance under the notice of his Government. This purchase was viewed as a possible basis on which to erect a claim to the country, and under the sanction of the French Government, a company was immediately formed, and preparations made, for founding a colony in that part of New Zealand. Two ships with emigrants were despatched from France, accompanied by a ship of war, to take possession and found a settlement. These vessels arrived in New Zealand very shortly after the British Government had obtained possession of the country by treaty from the natives, but before formal possession had been taken of any

[Image of page 71]

portion of the South Island. The French, on their arrival, not only took possession of the territory which had been purchased by their countryman from the natives, including the safe and picturesque harbour of Akaroa, but finding the country unoccupied, set up a claim to the sovereignty of the whole of the South Island, nor did they abandon their claim, without making strenuous efforts for its successful realisation. Old colonists can still remember how they were foiled in the attempt, but only after the exercise of the greatest vigilance on our part, and not before we had won a well-contested race.

Although New Zealand, ever since Cook's time, had been viewed as belonging to England, and at the famous Congress of Vienna in the year 1814, England's right to the country was acknowledged by the European Powers, still a doubt had, prior to this period of annexation, arisen, in respect to the sovereignty over the islands, in consequence of William IV. having given the native chiefs a national flag, and acknowledged their claim to freedom as well as their right to be an independent nation. This act, it was alleged, restored to the natives the right to dispose of their country to any foreign Power, a view in some measure supported by the fact that the Treaty of Waitangi was considered necessary as a preliminary to annexation to the British Crown.

The French therefore availed themselves of this doubt, and after landing their immigrants at Akaroa in the South Island, despatched a deputation in the French war frigate to wait on the Governor at the Bay of Islands, in order to prefer their claim to be an independent colony.

[Image of page 72]

One evening, somewhere about thirty-two years ago, two ships of war lay at anchor in the safe and magnificent harbour of the Bay of Islands; one was a French corvette, and the other an old British ten-gun brig. The two countries represented by these vessels were on friendly terms with each other, and the usual courtesies were observed between the two commanders, although in their zeal each vied with the other, in order to achieve the object which their respective Governments had in view.

The two vessels, at sunset, lay at anchor a short distance from each other, but long before sunrise the next morning, the Englishman, anticipating the movements of his rival, had during the night eluded his vigilance, set sail and gone to sea without being perceived; when day dawned, the Frenchman looked, but looked in vain for his rival, and in the bitterness of his disappointment no doubt felt as if he had lost a rose from the wreath in his chaplet. No time was lost, however, in getting his ship under weigh, and putting to sea, with every sail set which the corvette could carry. Such was the start in the race of seven hundred miles, betwixt these two ships of war--a race between France and England, for the sovereignty of the South Island of New Zealand. The French corvette was superior in every respect to the English ship, but Captain Owen Stanley, in the old 'Britomart,' like a true and gallant British sailor when the welfare of his country was at stake, did his duty in such good style, that he reached Akaroa harbour at Banks' Peninsula in the South Island, landed, took formal possession of it in the Queen's name, hoisted the Red Cross of St. George and the Union Jack on a flag-staff, and fired a salute of

[Image of page 73]

twenty-one guns in honour of the event, before the French corvette, although in sight, could come to anchor.

The colonists of New Zealand should erect a column 'in memoriam' of Captain Owen Stanley, who secured in such a manner to his country one of the finest islands ever annexed to the Crown of England, and the zeal, skill and enterprise displayed by him in the performance of his duty on that occasion, should not be allowed to drift into oblivion. 5

It has been alleged that the French could not, under any circumstances, have made good their claim to the South Island, but whatever the result of diplomacy might have been, Captain Stanley's conduct on this occasion without doubt settled the question. Had the French corvette reached Akaroa before him, a claim would unquestionably have been made by France, and the sovereignty of the South Island would have become a question in dispute between France and England, and diplomatists would have wrangled over such a matter for years, and unpleasant results if not actual hostilities might have followed.

The French settlement at Akaroa therefore in this manner lost all claim to be an independent colony, although established under the auspices of the French Government, and the colonists became exem-

[Image of page 74]

plary subjects of an English. Governor, not only thrifty and industrious, but distinguished for their orderly behaviour, and obedience to the laws.

The country in this district is broken and hilly, and not well adapted for settlement, as there is little land available for cultivation, but the harbour is one of the finest in the colony, and the picturesque character of the landscape is unrivalled.