CHAPTER V. THE SETTLEMENT IN 1816.
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CHAPTER V
THE SETTLEMENT IN 1816.
KENDALL does not seem to have kept a diary in systematic fashion. He recorded several instances at the beginning of 1816, however, which show that the lack of harmony among the missionary settlers, concerning which so much complaint had already been made in correspondence to Marsden and others, was reaching a state of climax. Kendall, Hall, and King found their tempers incompatible. The first evidently used little tact in asserting that superiority of education which made him the natural leader. The others resented his greater influence with the natives--due partly to his official position as a magistrate, partly to his aptitude for language study which gave him a command of Maori and an insight into the native mind that was denied them--and were determined that he should take his share of manual labour, and should not look to them to supply him with the products of their crafts. Their refusal to accept his leadership was founded to some extent on the fact that they had discovered the weak points in his character, and especially his tendency to over-indulgence in liquor. The unhappy situation forced itself upon the attention of the Maoris, and naturally hindered the progress of the Mission.
Kendall begins his diary for 1816 by giving some details regarding his quarrel with King:--
"January 2nd.--Sent for Mr. King in order to propose some question to him respecting the conduct of the mate and boat's crew of the Phoenix on Thursday, November 30th. * Mr. King refused to give any answers respecting the business, and said he had burnt the statement which he had given a few days ago and which I had delivered to him to copy.
"The substance of Mr. King's observations was originally this: He heard the noise at the door of my house, to which he immediately repaired. He heard Mr. Hunt's abusive language and his threats to pull down my house, and he further stated that while Mr. Hunt was in the house of the said Mr. King he heard him say he would come to me and have satisfaction.
"January 6th.--Guanna (Te Kanae) two days without victuals, being tabooed on account of koomara (kumara). **
"January 7th.--Arrived the ship Catherine, Captain Graham, at Kurro Kurro's (Korokoro) place. ***
* Vide supra, p. 91.
** This refers to ritual in connection with the kumara crops.
*** Korokoro's pa was at Paroa.
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"A copy of a letter written this day to Mr. John King:--
"'Sir,--As you have thought proper to burn my official papers as a magistrate, which were entrusted to your care, according to your own acknowledgment, and refuse to come to terms of reconciliation, treating the most conciliatory letter with silent contempt, I take this opportunity to acquaint you that Mr. Marsden and the Secretary of the Church Missionary Society will be informed that all communications between you and me as missionary settlers have ceased from this date, except such as are absolutely necessary on account of the particular circumstances in which we are placed. --I am, Sir, your obedient servant, THOS. KENDALL.'
"N.B.--Since I wrote the above, Mr. and Mrs. King have not been so personal."
On January 20th Kendall wrote in the following terms to the Secretary of the Society, referring particularly to the prevailing lack of unanimity:--
"You will, I have no doubt, have observed from the letters of your missionary settlers at this place that we have every fair prospect before us of being usefully employed amongst the natives, but that we are divided in our opinions and have little intercourse with each other. I wish you to send out general instructions-- particularly if you send out missionaries to our assistance--for the regulation of the temporal affairs of the settlement. I think more importance will be attached to your instructions than Mr. Marsden's in these points. You will perhaps hint to the settlers that, while they can be considered upon an equal footing with me as settlers, yet they have no right to dictate to me in what I conceive to be my duty as a magistrate. If we had been more united, and attention paid to my advice, I do not think that I should have received any personal insult from sailors."
Two days later, on January 22nd, Kendall wrote a personal letter in similar vein to Mr. Pratt:--
"From my papers sent by this conveyance," he said, "and perhaps from those of my colleagues, Messrs. Hall and King, you will observe that we are not acting in Christian concert as a body. This will be painful news to yourself and our honourable Committee, should you think it necessary to inform them. I am happy to say that nothing of an immoral nature as it respects the external deportment of your missionary settlers, especially my colleagues, can be connected with these observations, and that the most perfect harmony subsists between the settlers and the natives.
"Mr. Hall has removed from us to a spot which he first pitched upon on our voyage of investigation. As it is ten miles distant from Tippoona (Te Puna), and it would be impossible for him to leave Mrs. Hall alone, he is necessarily excluded, generally speaking, from our society. I need not repeat my former observations. Mr. Hall will be guided by his own judgment. I believe
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he is doing good where he is. We are friendly with each other notwithstanding our different ways of thinking. We are better friends by being placed at a distance from each other.
"Mr. and Mrs. King have always been dissatisfied, more or less, since their arrival at New Zealand. They are also so exceedingly personal that I think it much better for all intercourse to be dropped between the families than to be continually disputing about trifles. Mr. King is a careful man himself, but some of his connections are very extravagant. His friends have overruled him in respect to making shoes for the people who are necessarily attached to the settlement. I told him that Mr. Hall, himself, and I, in our capacities as carpenter, shoemaker, and schoolmaster, were in duty bound each to exercise due respective vocations for the good of the whole. But alas! Satan has divided. We all want too much of our own way. Should you send out any more missionaries, it will be best to inform them that they must be content to assist in building their own houses, and it would be proper to provide them with shoes, etc., for their families. It will prevent much vexation of mind for every person to make himself as independent of his colleagues as possible. I can procure shoes for my family from Sydney."
On the following day, January 23rd, Kendall continued his report regarding the state of the settlement:--
"Mr. Marsden having some time since intimated his intention of encouraging some respectable persons to come over from Port Jackson and settle at the Bay of Islands," he wrote, "I shall esteem it a favour if you will request the opinion of our honourable Committee whether it would be proper for any settlers who are not in the service of the Society to reside upon the Society's settlement, and transmit the same to Mr. Marsden and myself.
"There are many persons of respectable character as members of society whom I think it would nevertheless be imprudent to place amongst us. There are some regulations which our very profession engages us to adhere to, but which none, or very few except religious characters, would feel equally binding; and as the missionaries are in some measure considered responsible for the external good conduct of those who are with them, I think it would be much better for them to continue alone. A friendly correspondence might be kept up between the missionaries and any other settlers who might be inclined to establish themselves at New Zealand.
"Our honourable Committee will bear in mind that although as a magistrate it is my undoubted province to check gross immoralities and prevent the profanation of the Lord's day, etc., yet my authority being (whilst I am without proper force to support me) merely nominal, it cannot be expected that my just commands will be always obeyed."
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"As the masters of vessels which put in here for refreshment generally barter with the natives for muskets and powder and such articles of food as we are in want of," Kendall continued, "I wish to have your opinion whether it would be prudent for us occasionally to part with such articles, or whether we should at all events continue to dispose of such articles only as are useful to the mechanic or husbandman.
"You mention the probability of sending to our aid two clergymen. Should you do this, I think one of them might be instructed to remain with me, and the other might go over to Mr. Hall and try to raise a school where he resides. This is a barren spot, and I fear we can do but little towards our own support. There is no land near us suitable for growing wheat, etc., while the land near Mr. Hall is level and fertile, and fit for every purpose of cultivation. I reluctantly consented on this very account to settle here at first, but I did not like resolutely to oppose Mr. Marsden. As a schoolmaster I also perfectly agreed with him that it would be best to make our first attempt to establish a school where there is a number of children depending upon the Society for every needful assistance. I think, however, that a school may be established at Mr. Hall's place in a very little time.
"I must just hint to you what I think will be the best course for me to pursue with respect to Mr. Hall and Mr. King until I hear from you. As they are too independent to be advised by me or even Mr. Marsden in points that I judge to be of importance, I think it will be proper for me to leave them in future to their own way, rather than to contend in an unchristian manner. It is not once nor twice, but continually, recourse has been had to personalities."
Mr. Pratt, thus informed concerning the New Zealand affairs and doubtless considerably perturbed by Kendall's revelations, must have been still more agitated by the candid statements of King, written in a letter of January 25th, 1816:--
"The natives," King stated, "are in a state of friendship with us. The children are making slow improvements, as we have but little control over them. A little time back, when it was two rainy days, one girl made us a pair of sheets, another made the body and sleeves of a boy's shirt, but as soon as the rain was over they left off work, one of them saying--'Mother, when it comes plenty more rain I will do plenty more sewing for you. When it is fine weather I will dance and play. This is very good at New Zealand.' There is but little restraint from their parents, and therefore we cannot expect to have them at present under our control altogether, but we are still striving to instruct them and to lead them on by degrees as they will bear it. We are endeavouring to live in peace with all men, but we meet with great opposition from Mr. Kendall. He says he is the same here as the Governor
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is at Port Jackson. He threatens to send us out of this settlement--he will do this and the other. He has on all occasions, if I mistake not, encouraged his Government man (Stockwell) to abuse us, and the other prisoners that are in his settlement to strike us and ill-use us, so that we despaired of our lives and were going to make our escape to Whitanghee (Waitangi) to Mr. Hall's place, but the natives would not let us go. We had nobody to pull the boat. The natives sat down and went with us to see the treatment we met with from our own people. They told us that the white people should hurt us no more; but if we persisted in going, or did leave this place, they would send Mr. Kendall back to Port Jackson for he should not stay here. He tries to set the natives against us by telling them I am nothing but a servant, that he is a great gentleman. He goes on board ships that come in, and gives us a bad name to the captain. In short, he does all he can to abuse us and to exalt himself. He will let us have nothing he can conveniently hinder us of. The natives taking our parts so much to Mr. Kendall, he sent me a few lines saying he would hear any complaint we might make to him, but I spoke to him about it. We were in all the fault. It is in vain for us to complain to him because we are always wrong. After this he sent me several insulting letters. I answered the first but declined sending any more. I leave you to judge, Sir, how we are going on. I do not approve of his getting intoxicated, of his good words and fair speeches without regarding to do the same. All intercourse is dropped between us except anything that we cannot do without. He is welcome to write and say all he pleases against me and mine."
Meanwhile Hall, on January 12th, 1816, had informed the Secretary of his establishment of a station at Waitangi, where he resided in spite of Marsden's fear that trouble would arise with the natives on account of his isolated position. *
"Circumstances have so fallen out," Hall explained, "that I live at a new settlement by myself called the Wythangee (Waitangi), it being the most eligible and beneficial for a settlement. Mr. Kendall agreed to go there, and indeed was the first proposer of it until the sawyers got robbed of their property, and then he would not go. I had had so much labour in removing the materials, timber, etc., that I could not think of giving it up again after I had removed thither with my wife and family. There was a certain party of natives that were very friendly with us, but at the same time there are others that threaten our lives. I have induced the natives to do a great deal of work with my assistance. I have only been here four months, and I have got two small patches of wheat; the one I have reaped and the other is nearly ready. I have also got an excellent garden full of vegetables, and about two acres of ground cleared for wheat. If I had a little trade to pay
* Cf. The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, pp. 160-1.
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the natives with, I could grow as much wheat as I could use next year, but I am very badly supplied with trade. I have heard that some axes came out for the natives, but I never had one of them. I have not got an axe fit to chop a piece of wood for the fire. I wish to teach the natives to saw timber. I have made several attempts, and they offer very well, but I have not got the means for encouraging them yet. I would be glad if your Committee would be so good as to send out a few axes for myself and the natives to work with, and some chisels and plane-irons, butchering knives, large fish-hooks, etc., for payment for their labour. I live seven or eight miles from Tippoonah (Te Puna), and that all water, and having no Europeans but myself I cannot leave the place with propriety to fetch trade from the smith, so that I have been very much distressed for want of iron.
"I mentioned in a former letter respecting a little coarse clothing for my domesticated natives that I keep constantly employed and victualled. If your Committee should think proper to send these things or any of them, be so kind as to pack my part by itself and direct it for me at Whitanghe (Waitangi), so that there can be no dispute arise in the division of them. My tools are much exposed by working amongst the natives--they frequently annoy me by pilfering them, but there is no redress but by replacing them. They have stolen several of my tools already, but I dare not be angry with them, neither would it be prudent. I am often troubled in mind when I am obliged to appear cheerful. I should like very much to have a fellow-labourer in the work, that we might strengthen one another's hand and praise Him together."
Within less than a week, however, Hall again wrote to the Secretary, under date January 26th, to tell how an attack from the natives had compelled him to leave Waitangi and rejoin his colleagues:--
"The present is a fine opportunity for communicating our latest experiences," Hall wrote, "and I am sorry they are not more favourable. Yesterday Captain Graham * came over to my settlement and left me a boat and several other articles out of his ship. He has been very kind indeed. After Captain Graham returned to his vessel, my friendly natives being up the country in search of potatoes, a strange party came over from the other side of the Bay and got upon the sawyer's house-top, and I went to desire them to come down. They immediately laid hold of me and threw me down, got upon me and brandished their war instruments over me. When Mrs. Hall saw me seized, she came running towards me; a native met her and struck her in the face with a war instrument and knocked her down, and when I got myself removed out from under them I beheld my dear partner lying moaning, and I could not see a feature in her face for blood. But some friendly natives being at a short distance heard the alarm
* Of the Catherine.
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and came to our assistance, else God only knows what the end would have been.
"We have reason to bless God that Mrs. Hall's wound is not mortal, and I hope she will get the use of her eye again after a time. The first thing they took from us was our bedding. They stripped the bed. They also pulled our clothing out of the boxes, but they had not time to take it all away before assistance came. They took away my axe and some of my tools, cooking utensils, and fire-irons, and likewise my two guns, especially the double-barrelled gun, which I am more concerned for than any other thing. But when I think of the wonderful mercies of God in sparing our lives, the loss of the things is nothing, and I think from this most astonishing deliverance that the Lord has work for us to do yet; only that I am sorry that I am under the necessity of confining my exertions to narrow limits by removing to the other settlement for protection. Wythangee (Waitangi) is the garden of New Zealand. I have only been here four months, and we have almost every useful kitchen vegetable in the highest state of perfection. I have reaped both wheat and barley, and have more nearly ready for reaping. I have got the natives to clear two acres more. I shall endeavour to induce the natives to carry on the cultivation if possible. I shall give some of the confidential chiefs charge of it and pay them for their labour with suitable trade, and I shall visit it occasionally. I hope your honourable Committee will not think it strange in me in asking the favour of two guns, especially a double-barrelled one. I can go out occasionally in a morning before breakfast and bring home as many ducks and wild fowls as will serve our house for two days, but this is the last thing--a European in New Zealand bears no respect among the chiefs if he has no arms in his house. They call him only a servant, and he has no influence with them."
In a further letter to the Secretary dated August 22nd, 1816, Hall justified his going to Waitangi by stating that he wished to comply with the desire of the Committee that as much land as possible should be cultivated, and thought that after Ruatara's death there was no more protection for the missionaries at Te Puna than in any other place.
"Accordingly," he continued, "I went with the sawyers, and left my family at Tippoonah (Te Puna), and underwent a great deal of hard labour in cold and wet and uncomfortable nights until I cleared the situation and built a house, and then we shifted thither in the beginning of September, 1815, and in the January following I reaped both wheat and barley in great perfection. I had my garden in such a flourishing state and so well stored with kitchen vegetables in great perfection that I have no doubt but we could have had a good supply all the year round. I employed a great number of natives constantly, some fencing and others clearing ground. I cleared two acres of fine land for wheat, that
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before stood as thick with bush as it could stand. I would have grown more wheat this year than we could have used, entirely by the labour of the natives under my direction. I kept three or four of them in my house constantly, and let them sleep in the kitchen. I had begun to teach some of them to saw timber, and they offered very well. After we had been there some time expecting Mr. Kendall to come to us according to his promise, he sent me word that he had changed his mind and that he would not come; and not only that, but he encouraged the sawyers to go away and leave us to the insults and abuses of the natives, which has given me sufficient cause to remember, so that I shall certainly never allow him to deceive me so again. The natives, perceiving that we were left alone unprotected, soon took the advantage.
"I never think of it but with astonishment that I was kept from killing or striking any of them, and they from killing me. Nothing but the all-powerful Providence of God saved us out of the hands of these cruel and barbarous people and spared us for future labours, and although my wife's sight is much impaired, yet blessed be God she has not lost the use of her eye entirely. The Catherine, Captain Graham, was then lying in the opposite side of the Bay, and I sent a note on board by some natives in a canoe, letting him know what had happened; and that worthy friend came up with his boat and offered us every assistance in his power in removing us to Tippoonah (Te Puna), he being then ready for sea. Instead of sailing out, he hove his anchor and brought his vessel up the harbour convenient to our place, and in the following morning he came up with two boats and crew, and Mr. King came up from Tippoonah with our own boat, and we removed thither that same day. But I never was so sorry to leave any place as I was to leave Wythangee (Waitangi). Yet since it had pleased God to spare our lives we thought we had better go with them than stay on and tempt Providence.
"We came into a small thatched hut that would neither turn wind nor rain, and there we remained without any fireplace until we removed the house from Wythangee (Waitangi) and rebuilt it again at Tippoonah (Te Puna). Mr. King went with me every day with the boat until we removed all the materials. I hope I shall never forget the kindness of that man and his family towards us when we were distressed. We have found the most want of our bedding of any other thing. This winter has been exceedingly wet and cold, so that we have been almost perished, especially during thirteen weeks that we lived in that miserable hut. I wrought very hard to get another house built, but I was kept back by rainy weather, and likewise by working at Mr. Kendall's house and the schoolhouse. There is a Mr. Carlisle come out to join us, by Mr. Marsden's recommendation, and he seems to be a very quiet man. 1 He and Mr. Kendall have put the boards on the two houses by my directions. I always took care that the
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schoolhouse was never kept back for the want of people to work it; the timber was always wrought up as fast as it could be sawed, for I was sorry to see never a school begun in New Zealand yet, although at the same time convinced it was not for the want of a schoolhouse, for there have been several empty houses amongst us since we came to New Zealand that might have done very well, at least for a time, till better could have been got. As a school is the best means that can be used at present for inviting the natives, it certainly should have been commenced as soon as possible. When Mr. Marsden was here there were a small number of children collected and a school commenced in Mr. Kendall's house, but after Mr. Marsden went away they were dispersed, and there has never been a school since. * But now we have built a schoolhouse thirty feet by eighteen, with a small apartment at one end raised seven inches above the floor intended for the teachers and the European children, divided off by a low partition about breast high; the whole is nearly completed, and then as soon as provisions can be obtained we hope that we will be able to give some account of a school.
"I find it is almost impracticable to make mechanics of them or to teach them the arts at New Zealand. They are not arrived at that state yet. I cannot work amongst them, they pilfer the tools so much. They have at different times stolen my working axes so that I have not had one left to do anything with, and the chiefs have very little authority over the lower class, especially in the recovering of any article stolen from us. Some time ago a large party from Whangaroa visited our settlement and a powerful chief along with them called Tiparee (Te Pari), and some of his people stole my saw. I went and acquainted him with it, offering a reward if he would get it again for me. He went amongst them in a very mild manner and found out who had it, but they had broken it into four or five pieces and divided it amongst them. They with some reluctance gave them out, but not without my offering some small reward for them. Although the pieces were of no use to me, yet it served to give us an idea of the authority of the chief, and I think that was almost the only instance of the kind I ever knew. They are so inclined to ramble that they will not be confined to learn a trade, and although I were supplied with tools, victuals, payment, and clothing for them so as to enable me to keep them in employment, they are so fond of fighting and plundering that nothing will divert them from it or prevent their going away at certain times. Parties keep coming and going, and if we employ any that will work, by that means we can get land cultivated, rough fences made, and such work as requires no time to learn it; but they would never learn a trade at that rate. Yet I can spend my time very beneficially amongst them by conversing
* Vide "The First School in New Zealand."--The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, pp. 222-3.
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The First School in New Zealand
During Marsden's first visit to the Bay of Islands, in 1814-15, a small number of children were instructed in Kendall's home, but after his departure for New South Wales the scholars quickly fell away
On Monday, 12th August, 1816, the first New Zealand schoolhouse was opened with 33 pupils. By April, 1817, the roll had risen to 70, varying in age from seven to seventeen, and it still stood at this number when Marsden visited the Bay of Islands in 1819.
The page reproduced is the register for October, 1816. "The weather being generally fair and pleasant during the present month," Kendall notes, "and the natives of Rangee Hoo (Rangihoua) busy in preparing the grounds for the purpose of planting sweet potatoes, many scholars have been occasionally absent. We have been also under the necessity of following several of our pupils into the bush, where we have taught them their lessons."
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and bartering with them, visiting their sick and relieving them, by giving them suitable food and medicine, which they are frequently in great need of.
"They cannot let anything remain amongst them that has got any nails in it, neither do they make any use of a wheelbarrow. I had one at Wythangee (Waitangi) that I used to wheel the stones off the ground with, but they would as willingly bear them off in baskets, and when I was robbed they chopped it all to pieces to get the nails out of it. There was also a wooden house at Wythangee (Waitangi) that the sawyers left, and I gave them liberty to sleep in it, but the nails in the weatherboards were such a temptation that they could not suffer it to stand, although it was for their own benefit. They pulled it down to the ground and split up every bit of it to get the nails out. We have also heard of whalers that have left them a boat sometimes, but they could never suffer them to remain, but have immediately broken them to pieces for the sake of the nails and iron. They have no patience to wait for any future benefit, even when we tell them that we are come to teach them our ways and improve their country. All their object is to get hold of our property immediately, right or wrong, however it might defeat our designs or unfit us for our labour. The best employment for them at present is the cultivation of land, but our settlement at Tippoonah (Te Puna) is very unfavourable for that work on account of the steepness of the hills and the shallowness of the soil, and on that account we shall be able to do but very little towards our own support. I have used my utmost exertions since I came to New Zealand in striving to establish an eligible settlement as a means of supporting ourselves, but I find my designs all obstructed, and I have almost paid too dear for making the experiments."
Meanwhile Kendall had succeeded in making some progress in his work as schoolmaster. In a letter to his friend the Rev. Basil Woodd, dated October 16th, 1816, he gave some interesting details regarding this first New Zealand school:--
"On Monday the 12th day of August last," Kendall wrote, "which was the birthday of the Prince Regent, the school was opened for the reception of the native children. From the enclosed lists you will learn the names and number of children which have been admitted. At daybreak or a little after, they arise and are taught their lessons in the alphabet and monosyllables, etc. They then generally leave the school, and repair to the rivers or bush in pursuit of fish, fern-root, cockles, etc., and return in the evening, and after repeating their lessons retire to rest. They are so very lively and playful that it is not easy to gain their attention, but these obstacles will I have no doubt be surmounted in time. The Active being this voyage bound for Otaheite (Tahiti) instead of returning to Port Jackson as usual, and Mr. Marsden being unacquainted with the progress of the school, we have it not in our power to
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contribute anything towards its support, but when I have the pleasure of hearing from him and he sends us some supplies for the school, I trust we shall be enabled to arrange it better and keep the children in the daytime, at least those that are very young. Some trifling articles to present as rewards occasionally to these poor children would have a good effect. When a teacher amongst the heathen (for it could not be endured in civilized society) is surrounded by a number of children, and perhaps while one is repeating his lesson another will be playing with his feet, another taking away his hat, and another his book, and all this in a friendly manner, he cannot be angry at them, yet it requires some study how to introduce a salutary discipline; and this is what we want here. And it is our opinion that a judicious distribution of rewards according to merit will tend to conciliate the children, attach them to us, promote their industry and attention, and induce them to take greater notice of our mild reproofs when they disobey us. I expect the Active from Otaheite (Tahiti) every day, and that my colleague Mr. Carlisle 2 will leave me for a time, and I shall be alone. I must wait with patience until he returns with his family. He will then assist me to keep the boys apart from the girls. Another schoolhouse must be built, and I trust my friend Mr. Marsden will give instructions to this effect.
"When I left London it was expected I should reside at New South Wales for a term of three years before I embarked again for this place. I had therefore no particular instructions from Mr. Pratt how I was to support a school here, neither has Mr. Marsden expressed himself fully to me upon this subject. At present, now I have everything ready as I have mentioned above, my hands are completely tied up. Through the perverseness of the smith I have not been able to obtain a single article of trade for some months, either for myself or to purchase a little fish or fern-root for those poor children that are about me. I write to Mr. Pratt by this conveyance recommending him to send all the supplies of trade which he can from England, provided he can procure a conveyance. We cannot get a regular supply of axes, etc., from Port Jackson, and except we can always have trade in hand, I am afraid our usefulness will be checked exceedingly.
"Suitable Articles to Present as Rewards.
"Fish-hooks, beads, combs for the hair, scarlet and yellow coloured worsted binding (broad), common ear-rings and rings with and without stones of various colours, clasps, knives (large), scissors (large), plane irons, broad chisels, three square files, thimbles, needles, knitting needles, boys' whistles, birdcalls, or any other toys that will take little room (made of iron)."
On November 6th Kendall continued his report to the Secretary of the Society in a letter which describes the difficulty of carrying out Marsden's plan of a communal settlement:--
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"When the proposal was first made to the Committee by Mr. Marsden to establish a missionary settlement at New Zealand," he wrote, "it was thought that the produce of the industry of the missionary settlers would upon the commencement of their labours 'go very far towards the support of the settlement,' and 'that they would be enabled to render themselves independent of the Society in a very little time.' We have now resided nearly two years at this place, and to all appearances there is no probability of our obtaining the necessaries of life in any other way than at the expense of the Society. The spot on which we live is barren, and, as you will observe from the view, is so mountainous that is is quite unsuitable for the purpose of cultivation or for cattle. I objected to landing here * at first very strongly to Mr. Marsden, because there was on the other side of the village and in sight of it a more even tract of land with a more fertile soil. But Mr. Marsden thought we should not be safe. He expressed his desire for me to settle here. I therefore thought it my duty to do so.
"Mr. Marsden out of a regard for my comfort and the welfare and happiness of the New Zealanders first appointed me supercargo of the Active, and then through his recommendation I was appointed a magistrate; but both these offices have exposed me to occasional insult and, like Joseph's coat of many colours, to the envy of Messrs. Hall and King. I have given offence to some captains of vessels by declaring the truth on such occasions as I felt myself bound to do it, and even when it would be their own interest to attend to my observations. In some instances I have been left entirely to myself when by the union of my colleagues with me we should have all come off with honour. The two persons above mentioned ** are employing their pens against me. The one told me in his late illness that he had made some observations respecting me to you for which he was then sorry. Both of them look too much at me. I am not perfect. Alas ! I am a heavy-laden sinner. I trust I feel the burden in some measure, and my remedy.
"Mr. Marsden complains that this undertaking is beyond his strength. I am confident he will be very sorry to hear that no wheat was grown at New Zealand last year worth mentioning. The settlement was rationed up to July last. The whole of the workmen will return to Port Jackson by the King George 3 and the Active. I am not displeased at this, as we have got comfortably into our houses. I hope that no other persons than missionaries will in future be permitted to settle amongst us here. Mr. Marsden is ready to do all in his power to assist us, but he cannot do much more, in my opinion, without further help of the Society. He is
* At Rangihoua.
** William Hall and John King.
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greatly imposed upon by tradesmen. He lays out money sometimes also for no purpose, not knowing what will best suit us. He has sent £50 sterling worth of beads, which the natives will give nothing for. He has also sent a great quantity of trashy iron, to the amount of £50 more, which cannot be made up. I speak these things freely because I do not hereby impeach Mr. Marsden's pious intentions in the slightest degree."
"You will be glad," he continued on November 12th, "to hear that Walter Hall * has taken his passage in the King George for Port Jackson, so that in a day or two I expect the settlement will be at peace. He has been tolerably quiet since the time I was with him in the shop. He had asserted before that if Governor Macquarie would not give him his free pardon he would by his influence with the natives drive every missionary settler back to Port Jackson. Deluded mortal. 'Thoughts are vain against the Lord.' The natives, instead of taking his part against us, encourage him to leave the island."
The year 1816, however, ended on a note of relief. The Committee had consented to the abandonment of the communal idea, and, with that source of friction ended, the settlers were at peace with each other, at least for the time being. "I thank you for your condescension in considering us as distinct settlers, and not as a collective body, and that every reasonable provision will be made for our living independent of each other," Kendall wrote to the Secretary on December 6th. "Undoubtedly we shall agree best when we have the least occasion for each other's services. We are now, I bless God, upon peaceable terms with each other, and I really find that a strict attention to the above plan will have the best tendency to preserve peace."
* The smith, an assigned convict from the New South Wales settlement.
[Footnotes to Chapter V]
