CHAPTER VI. THE SETTLEMENT, 1817-1819.
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CHAPTER VI
THE SETTLEMENT, 1817-1819.
KENDALL'S Journal for 1817 begins with "a list of the names of the native children who attend the Church Missionary Society's school at the Bay of Islands, New Zealand, * with general remarks for January, 1817." The following are among the more interesting entries in the Journal for January:--
"January 5th.--Visited by the chiefs Pomarree (Pomare), Kurrokurro (Korokoro), a chief from the River Thames, Shunghee (Hongi), Tahraha (Tareha), and large parties of attendants with each, who all conducted themselves towards each other and us in the most friendly manner. The chiefs Tippoohee (Te Puhi) and Tarra (Tara) of Whangaroa also paid us a visit. I introduced them to the captain of the Daphne, 1 being the only vessel they have been on board of (except the Active) since the unhappy destruction of the Boyd.
"January 21st.--Pomarre (Pomare) arrived with an European of the name of Mills, who had run away from the Adamant. He had been formerly amongst the bushrangers at Van Diemen's Land, and had of course nothing to say on his behalf. I rejected his application to settle amongst us, being determined that this shall not be made an asylum for improper characters from New South Wales, etc. Mills is therefore doing the best he can for himself amongst the natives. Mills has been with the female scholar who, as stated in the list, was on a visit to Pomarre's, and he would undoubtedly attempt to mislead the children here.
"During the last month the whole of the children have, contrary to my expectation, repeated their lessons in the school-house. The girls have been employed in making their raiment in their leisure hours, according to their own plan. I have distributed some small allotments of flax amongst them for the above purpose.
"January has been a very pleasant month--the atmosphere agreeably warm, with gentle breezes in the middle of the day. The natives have been busily employed in taking up their potatoes and in conveying them to us and to the vessels for sale. Very little rain for three months past.
"The scholars commence their morning lessons about sun-rise ** and finish them at an early hour. The children belonging to myself and my colleagues are attended to in the middle part
* Vide facsimile, facing p. 128.
** The natives generally rise at break of day.
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of the day. In the afternoon the native children say their lessons again. They generally receive a handful of potatoes each, twice a day, which they cook for themselves as they please.
"The prayers of the Church and a suitable sermon are read by the settlers alternately on every Lord's Day in the schoolhouse, where as many natives attend as please."
Some further particulars with regard to the conduct of the school were given in a letter to the Rev. Basil Woodd written by Kendall on February ist, 1817:--
"In November and December," he wrote, "there was not so great a number of children instructed as in the preceding month. Every method was adopted to gain their attention which was likely to prove effectual, but as we had no provisions of any sort to give them to eat, it necessarily followed that they must seek out for themselves and that we could not prevent their falling off. I was exceedingly distressed in my mind on this account, not then expecting any arrivals from Port Jackson for at least three or four months to come, but my fears were groundless. Mr. Marsden, contemplating our wants, had, on account of the long delay of the Active at Otaheite (Tahiti) engaged the Queen Charlotte to convey us supplies on her passage from Port Jackson to the Marqueses, and her unexpected appearance on the 21st December put an end to my disquietude. The welcome news was published throughout the neighbourhood, and the native children assembled together and manifested their joy by singing and dancing. They immediately repaired to the schoolhouse, where they remained day and night, repeated their lessons with cheerfulness, and are content with what is given to them.
"The Society will, I am confident, be highly gratified with our present prospects, and will rejoice with thanksgiving to hear that, after so many impediments have been thrown in the way of their benevolent designs in favour of New Zealand, there are within six months after the commencement of the school no less than sixty children which constantly attend, and that in this number seventeen orphans and six slaves are made daily partakers of their bounty. I believe the number of scholars may be increased considerably.
"It appears to be much in favour of this plan of the Society that none of the grown-up people are averse to having their children instructed; they believe that education is valuable as it bears upon the temporal interests of mankind. Their commercial disposition induces them to believe this. They are fond of visiting the school, but they do not now trouble us with their presence during the time the children are repeating their lessons or cooking their victuals.
"To fill up that part of the day which was formerly employed in procuring fern-root, etc., we have set the girls to make apparel according to the New Zealand fashion, for which purpose they are
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supplied with portions of flax. Several boys are engaged in making fences, cultivating land, procuring fire-wood, etc., and we shall attempt to teach them to write as soon as slates and paper come to hand. We have at present no regular employment for them all.
"I have written to Mr. Marsden for supplies for the school in particular, and I have no doubt but that he will send me all the remaining articles which I want, if he can possibly procure them, by the next return of the Active. I repeat the assurance that in supporting the school I shall be as frugal as possible. A great deal of money might be laid out upon the children all at once, but I do not really think it necessary. With a handful or two of potatoes daily and occasionally a fish-hook the children do at present very well. When we have no potatoes we must allow them some rice."
Kendall's Journal continues with "General Remarks for February, March, and April, 1817."
"February 3rd.--In the forenoon I was visited by the chief Tahraha (Tareha) and a party of his friends; at his earnest request I presented him with an axe, but he was nevertheless very troublesome and unruly in consequence of having brought six hogs and seventy baskets of potatoes for articles which he could not obtain in the settlement. I endeavoured to appease him, but in vain, until some of the scholars went to him and told him I was shedding tears. Upon this he ordered the hogs and potatoes to be brought to my house, told me he was ashamed of his ingratitude, and would give me them for nothing. He promised to abstain from all threatening language in future, and left his son under my care on the day before Good Friday. I intend to pay him for his property as soon as I can procure the article he said he was in want of. I am very happy that the chiefs at a distance do not object to send their children to school. This augurs well.
"February 20th.--Arrived the van of Shunghee's (Hongi) navy. The war canoes continued to come to the settlement until the 25th; and, constantly interrupted by fresh parties who were desirous to see the school, etc., I was under the necessity of omitting the evening lesson for four days. The tear (taua) * departed from hence on the 25th. The whole consisted of about thirty canoes and eight hundred men. There were parties from the River Thames, Cape Brett, Wyhkaddee (Waikare), Whytangee (Waitangi), Korrorahrekka (Kororareka), Tioumi (Taiamai), Tawhimatta (Te Waimate), Tippoona (Te Puna), and Mattoudee (Matauri).
"The object of this expedition was to obtain a peace between Shunghee (Hongi) and some natives who were his enemies at the North Cape (to which place he was bound), either by fair means, or else to vanquish them by force of arms. Shunghee took with him the head of one of his enemy's chiefs who had
* Taua, war party.
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been killed the preceding year, intending to present it to the surviving relatives, if they would accept it and in return give up to him the head of a young man who had fallen at the same time into their hands and was related to Shunghee (Hongi). * Shunghee told me that as soon as he advanced in sight of his enemies he should wave his upper garment and show them the head of their friend. If upon this his enemies began to cry, there would be no battle. The heads would be exchanged, presents mutually made, and peace be established. If, on the other hand, the people at the North Cape should resist or attempt to fly, the battle would commence immediately. Shunghee took an affectionate leave of us all here, told me that if he fell I was to be good to his children and if I died he would take care of my family.
"March 5th.--Returned Shunghee. He told me he had met with a great disappointment. As his people were at Whangaroa, into which place they had put to rest and refresh themselves, a quarrel had taken place between his party and a party of the Whangaroa natives. Four of the latter had been shot, and one in return of those from the River Thames. He said he was afraid the Whangaroa people would come upon us in his absence; he therefore had given up the expedition for the present. The bodies of the deceased natives were taken care of by their respective friends. The bones of the young man from the River Thames will be sent for from thence, as soon as the flesh, etc., is wasted away. The corpse is at the Bay of Islands.
"March 25th.--During the last five days confined by indisposition. Several scholars returned from the sweet potato grounds to the school.
"The chiefs Taparu (Te Pari), Tippoohee (Te Puhi), and their people at this settlement with potatoes for sale.
"In the course of this month several female scholars absent in order to get their lips and chin marked in the New Zealand fashion by an artist from Whangaroa. ** Each of them had to pay for the tattooing. The girls on their return from the potato grounds employed in the school in making their clothing.
"From March 16th to April 4th.--I determined, on account of constant interruptions, weariness, and indisposition, to rest and endeavour to recruit my spirits. I had not been able to form the children into classes, but had each of them to learn the same lesson daily. This was therefore a tedious work. If it shall please God to bless my endeavours, I shall, as soon as I can arrange the school to my satisfaction, be considerably relieved. But this I do not expect to be able to do until I am better acquainted with the New Zealand language and my books of instructions are more suitable to our purpose.
* Cf. The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, p. 496.
** Ibid, p. 172.
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"I have been able to purchase this season plenty of potatoes for the school, I should think about eight hundred baskets weighing upon an average fifty pounds each. Two and three baskets will serve the children one day, so that reckoning eighty axes to purchase eight hundred baskets, which they would do, it can be nearly ascertained what the school will take to support it in money for a year. Potatoes are preferable to any other articles for food for the children if they can be constantly procured.
"Since the scholars have received their victuals regularly every day some of the grown-up natives have requested to be admitted into the school and to say their lessons. These I have refused, because their object was only to procure food and lead an idle life. I always tell them that I can admit none except children or very young people into the school. The grown-up people ought to work. I could never guide them. I can do better with the children.
"The native children amuse themselves with the top in the winter and the kite in the summer. 2 The latter is made in the form of an isosceles triangle, the two equal sides measuring together about one fifth more than the base. They are fond of singing and dancing all the year round.
"When the different parties of natives from Whangaroa and round this bay last assembled here, there was a general mourning for two days and two nights successively. Natives continued to rise up alternately during the whole time and sing a mournful song to the memory of their departed relatives. The natives did not cry nor cut themselves, as they usually do when a person is recently dead. One of the scholars was engaged in the above ceremony.
"Except when there are large parties of natives at this place everything goes on quietly both in the school and in the settlement The natives of the adjoining village occasionally visit us by three or four at a time, but they are seldom troublesome. We have large parties during the summer; we have had none in the winter. Many more natives have visited us this last summer from different parts than during any preceding one. We are situated at such a great distance from the main land that natives do not come from thence in a body.
"In the potato seasons the neighbouring natives are constantly coming to us with their potatoes, etc., for sale. The female scholars small and great have each finished an upper garment, and some have finished two. Two or three of the boys are assisting my colleague Mr. King in dressing and spinning flax. The rest are busy in making and flying their kites, except when they are in making fences and procuring firewood. We have no regular employment for them all."
A letter written to Rev. Joshua Mann by Kendall on 14th July, 1817, continues his account of his life in New Zealand:--
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"I commenced teaching school in August, 1816," he wrote. "My little wild pupils were all noise and play during the first four months. We could scarcely hear them read for their incessant shouting, singing, and dancing. The first month they attempted to repeat their lessons in the schoolhouse very well, but we soon had to follow them to a short distance into the bushes. I had no command over them, having at that time neither provisions nor rewards to give them. Since I received these, my authority and influence have been greatly augmented amongst them. I can now command their attention. They will learn to read and write, work at their raiment, make fences, and fetch water and firewood, very cheerfully. They rise at daylight, according to the custom of the natives in general, and repeat their lessons to me. After breakfast several of the boys write a copy. The girls are employed in making their raiment the whole of the day. After dinner the native children repeat their lessons to my colleague, Mr. Carlisle, The boys learn to write on every day of the week except Sunday. The children of the settlers are also instructed by myself and Mr. Carlisle. The settlers join in public worship twice on every Lord's Day; the prayers of the Church of England are read alternately by myself and Messrs. Hall and King. We also meet on the Wednesday evening for the purpose of reading the Holy Scriptures and prayer. Many natives attend on the Sunday. The service is performed in the schoolhouse."
"Pride and ignorance, cruelty and licentiousness," he continues, "are some of the principal ingredients in a New Zealander's religion. He does not, as far as I can learn, bow to a stick or a stone, but he magnifies himself into a god. The chiefs and elders of the people are called atua even whilst they are living. One aged friend, Terra (Tara) * says that the god of thunder is in his forehead. Shunghee (Hongi) and Okeda (Okira) tell me that they are possessed with gods of the sea. When the clouds are beautifully chequered, the atua above, it is supposed, is planting sweet potatoes. At the season when these are planted in the ground the planters dress themselves in their best raiment and say that as atua is on earth, they are imitating the atua in heaven. The land is considered sacred from hence until the sweet potato crops are taken up. No person presumes to go upon them except such as are consecrated for the purpose of weeding and inspecting them. The head of a New Zealander, being the seat of the atua, is sacred, and is held in such estimation as though the head could be without any other part of the body. To the carved or graven head of a friend or enemy after death, the same ode is sung. The latter, it is true, is separated from the body, but it is held in honour as well as the former, although it does not command an equal effusion of tears. The language is 'what a fine god is this!'
* Perhaps Tara of Kororareka, at this time about 73 years of age.--George Graham.
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These customs, the description of which would be most painful to the tender feelings, are consistent with the native's idea of the properties of the Supreme Being. They describe Him as an invisible anthropophagus, and regard Him with a mixture of fear and hatred.
"The territorial possessions of the natives are hereditary, descending from the father and mother to the eldest son or daughter. It is very remarkable, but a proof of the above fact, that no natives from different parts of the island or even the Bay itself have come to settle near us. The natives have all of them, as far as we can learn, a fixed place of abode. The districts, fisheries, woods, villages, houses, etc., have each their distinct proprietors. It is against the custom of the country for one native to trespass upon another native's possessions, and I believe it is seldom done except as a punishment for the breach of some public law or custom, in inflicting which a whole party or perhaps a whole district will unite. The burying places belonging to a village or family are also kept distinct. Natives who die a natural death (slaves excepted) at a distance from home are conveyed by their friends to their family cave at a convenient time.
"Our two daughters, whom we left under the care of a pious friend at Port Jackson until we were properly settled here, are now with us. We have six children, and I bless God my family and all the settlers and children are in a good state of health. This is a very healthful and agreeable climate. We suffer nothing from excessive heat or cold."
Meanwhile some attention had been directed by Marsden and several other residents in New South Wales to the subject of the establishment of a colony in New Zealand, which had been mooted by an English divine, the Rev. Andrew Cheap. * Kendall had naturally been consulted with regard to the project, and replied to Marsden on July 25th, 1817, with the object of giving as much information as possible concerning the New Zealanders and their country.
"It may be proper to observe in the first place," he wrote, "as a caution to any company of adventurers, however small, approaching the shores of New Zealand, that a 'slanderous report' which you will recollect was raised by some of our enemies and instilled into the minds of Duaterra and the other chiefs at Port Jackson three years ago, has made a deep impression upon the minds of several chiefs at the Bay of Islands. ** They are very jealous, lest, as was then reported, 'a number of settlers should be sent out with an armed force and take possession of their country.' They cannot endure the thought that they should lose the property which has descended to them from their forefathers and be driven into the bush, as they say is the case of the natives of New South Wales.
* Cf. The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, pp. 226-7.
** Vide supra, p. 79.
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"The surrounding chiefs tell me that they will gladly receive an additional number of settlers, such as may be inclined to act in their dealings towards them upon the same principles as ourselves, provided that they do not come in a large body. They would have an advantage over us in point of fixing upon a more eligible spot for a settlement. They would be in less danger if situated at a greater distance from a native village, as a small plundering party would be afraid to molest them; but they could do nothing without the general good wishes of the native chiefs in their favour, nor would they otherwise be in safety.
"In selecting a portion of land for a settlement, it would be advisable to take care that it be as clear as possible of what the natives call the wahhe tabboo (wahi tapu). Wherever a person has breathed his last, or his bones have been laid for a time, there is always a piece of timber set up, if there is no tree already growing, to perpetuate his memory. This wahhe taboo is not suffered to be molested, and is held sacred both by friends and strangers. Amongst the natives, the least disrespect paid to their sacred relics or religious ceremonies and customs is considered a sufficient ground for a war by enemies and for a public debate by friends. The natives will seldom slay a man for a great offence or fine him for a small one immediately after it has been committed, but they will remember it. If a fine is his sentence, he must take good heed to his little property and to his crop of potatoes, etc., at the time of taking up, or else all hands around him will make demands upon him in behalf of the atua until the fruit of his labour is gone. The natives in their conversation with Europeans will sometimes say that their religious institutions are all a farce, but this is only by way of accommodating their expressions to the sentiments of the latter. Those who know them cannot but know that the fetters of their superstitions are firmly locked upon them. My colleague, Mr. Hall, and Mrs. Hall, suffered at Whitangee (Waitangi) on account of the disrespect which had been paid by Warrakkee's (Waraki) people to some sacred relic, and not on account of any ill-will which the assailants entertained towards them.
"It may be noticed that the New Zealanders have no established law for the punishment of adultery, murder, theft, etc., and therefore such of them as are inclined to commit these offences do not avoid accomplishing their purpose through any fear except of the parties against whom they wish to act. When a man breaks an established custom, for instance, when he cohabits with a widow, the whole of the people around him, especially if the woman's husband was a chief, will rise in behalf of the departed atua and inflict punishment; but the case of a man committing theft, etc., will not awaken the attention of the general body. The party aggrieved will take advantage of his unwatchfulness at some time or other and retaliate, but it is not known that murder, adultery, theft, or lying are offensive to the Supreme Being. They are
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offensive to the general mass of the people only as they affect their interests. The Bible, and that alone, can teach them a better system of morality.
"Care should be taken to expose as little property as possible to the sight of the natives at the time of disembarkation or at any time. If this is not attended to, it will be soon known amongst them what articles the new settlers possess; and, all European property being precious in their eyes, one and another of them will not fail to be very tedious and importunate in soliciting favours until a man is almost wearied into compliance. Many of them are tempted to steal such articles as are loose and exposed to their view, whilst they are very quiet with respect to concealed property. It would be prudent for settlers to furnish themselves with plenty of casks, etc., for the above purpose, and to bring as many weatherboards, posts, etc., at least as would build a storehouse with them. The natives approve of Europeans settling amongst them, through motives of self-interest. Many of them by repeated acts of a conciliating nature appear now to be very sincere in their attachment, and they are therefore displeased when they see us insulted or disquieted by our neighbours in any way; but they are heathens still. We must not try them beyond their strength, and it becomes us, as it will do any others who may settle with us or near us, for the sake of the natives as well as our own, to be watchful, and not to injure them by placing too much confidence in them.
"The natives are eager after trade. Prompt payment for everything received or for labour is best. Felling axes, large or small chopping axes, hoes, spades, shovels, large and small fishhooks, etc., please them well.
"I would just hint that in the first formation of a settlement, and when settlers are all of them in immediate want of accommodations, it is best to depend upon one another for assistance as little as possible. Ministers as well as laymen will feel it their interest to assist in erecting their own houses. Under the Divine blessing without which nothing can succeed, and with a means of conveyance for the supply of needful stores, I am of opinion that a settlement of pious, industrious men must flourish here."
On March 12th, 1818, the Rev. Josiah Pratt and the Rev. Edward Bickersteth wrote to Kendall in terms which must have convinced him of the confidence of the Committee in him:--
"We are convinced," Pratt wrote, "that the progress by means of schools will be slow, and are prepared for this. We hope, however, that with the teaching of the children you join, when you have opportunity, religious conversation with their parents. We should be very glad to hear of any number of these attending your Sabbath worship.
"The New Zealanders' First Book has greatly pleased us. Our orientalist, S. Lee, * is making use of Tooi (Tui) and
* Vide infra, p. 17111.
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Teeterree (Titore), who have recently arrived, to form a complete grammar and vocabulary of the language. Your book furnishes him with important assistance. We much approve of your plan of beginning to instruct the children first in their own language, as being the most likely way to interest them. When the grammar and vocabulary and perhaps one of the Gospels are finished, they will be a guide to you in all future acquisitions.
"Respecting our opinion of your character and usefulness, your mind may be quite easy. We are well convinced of the singleness of your heart in this cause; nor have we heard anything from anyone that would lead us to doubt your steady and judicious pursuit of the great object of the Society."
The closing months of the year saw little progress in the work of the Mission so far as conversion to Christianity was concerned, and the natives' habits of life remained almost unchanged. Thus King, writing on December ist, 1818, to the Secretary, said:--
"Here are many hindrances which time alone will remove. The trade the natives have received from us has not changed their hearts, so they are no better in heart or life. They are improving in reading and writing, in sawing timber and in making fishing lines, twine, and cordage, and in agriculture. I have a good crop of wheat. It will be ripe this month. They receive pay and provisions for these things. It does them good. It keeps them out of mischief, supplies their wants, gains their attention, and prepares the way for the preaching of the Gospel, while the missionary is learning the language and preparing to preach to them. This is the strong bar, the great obstacle--not knowing the language--and this will take a person of good ability some years to learn.
"The natives are such thieves and beggars. When large parties come they are so troublesome that all work is almost stopped. They pull down our fences and take what they like. We have some heavy trials here. Thomas Holloway King, my second son, died November 12th, 1818, aged three years nine months and twelve days. * He died of a consumption; we therefore did not know what to give him suitable to his case.
"This last year the natives have carried on a great deal of war at a distance from us. I think it would be highly prudent if you would send positive orders to this settlement that there shall be no more guns nor powder given away nor sold in this place by any that are in any way employed under your direction. You will hear something about this from Mr. Kendall."
Kendall, however, writing to the Rev. Basil Woodd about the same time, on December 10th, 1818, struck a slightly more hopeful note, although he expressed anxiety for the maintenance of his school:--
* Vide supra, p. il6n.
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"It affords me unspeakable satisfaction," he stated, "to be enabled to acquaint you that we are now under no fears respecting our personal safety, the natives, making due allowance for their wild habits, being reconciled to us, and we to them. On their part there is no apparent obstacle in the way of our usefulness; except, as must be expected, their unsettled turn of mind. I am now anxiously expecting some person of talent to assist me in fixing the New Zealand language. One friend of a kindred spirit, possessing greater abilities than I do, would be very useful to me; and I could be useful to him. As soon as the Holy Scriptures are in print, or the parts of them the general knowledge of which is essential to salvation, and the natives are taught to read them, a general blessing, in dependence upon the Divine promises, may then, and perhaps not before then, be expected.
"Although the New Zealanders are exceedingly superstitious, and what religion they profess is constituted of rites the most horrible and offensive to an Englishman and a Christian, yet it certainly is a very encouraging circumstance that parents do not at all object to their children being instructed by us. They rather wish it, and the children themselves have always been ready to repeat their lessons when called upon, and have been kept in a state of discipline far superior to my expectations when we have had it in our power to give them a handful of victuals. You have, I have no doubt, been highly gratified with the accounts of the many children who have attended the Society's school. These accounts, I do assure you, were correct, and I must say that at the time they were written, notwithstanding my spirits were often ready to sink by reason of the frequent troubles which afflicted this settlement, my heart was filled with joy and thankfulness at the fair prospects then before me. And it is not the fault of the native children that my harp is once more hung upon the willows. It is because I have not been able to feed them for more than five or six months during the past year. I have long since declared that, if the children were not regularly fed twice per day with a handful of potatoes or a little rice, the school would be in a great measure deserted. I wish Mr. Marsden was directed to provide for the school as a separate establishment. One hundred pounds per annum would, should it be required, only be a trifle with the Society, and would well maintain fifty or sixty scholars. I wish only to give them just as much as will keep them generally together. I do not want to pamper them. I have told Mr. Marsden and Mr. Pratt all I mean to say upon this subject. Whatever may be determined, I trust I shall do the best I can. I have been very unhappy lately, having wrought with my hands for two years in order to procure necessary accommodations, and being now crippled in my work on account of too little support and the different plans carried on in the settlement, the one having a tendency to check the other. When I am in trouble I am but ill-calculated to do good.
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"The Active returned from Port Jackson with supplies for the settlement in the month of June last. About five pounds' worth of trade and five hundred pounds of rice were laid aside for the school. I do not think the school has been out of my thoughts since that time one single waking hour. I do not attach any blame to Mr. Marsden or anyone else. Mr. Marsden, I am sure, has at heart the welfare of the natives. The difficulty arises chiefly from the ready attention of the native children to the school, and for the want of a settled plan from the first for their support, and to keep them together when once collected. If supplies are not sent out to Mr. Marsden already for the school, something ought to be sent by the Catherine, provided a school is to be supported here at all. Should they be sent out by the way of Port Jackson, it might possibly be two years before I receive them.
"Mrs. Kendall unites in grateful recollection. It is now nearly six years since we joined with you all in communion, but our hearts are still with you. My wife and seven children are well, and I have had my health ever since the day I landed here. I shall be forty years of age on the 13th of this month. My father lived until he was ninety-three. I have not yet attained to half that period, yet I am covered with grey hairs."
Kendall, meanwhile, had been devoting himself to the study of Maori and the work of translation, and on December 14th, 1818, informed the Secretary that he had forwarded by the Catherine (Captain Graham) "a preparatory catechism written in the New Zealand and English tongues, a few copies of which, if approved by the honourable Committee, you will be pleased to get printed." The Committee, however, seems to have made no attempt to carry out his wishes in this matter, which may account for his sudden determination to go to England, with Hongi and Waikato, to expedite the publication of his Grammar and Vocabulary of the New Zealand Language, which was edited by Professor Lee and published in 1820. *
This letter contains some suggestions from Kendall with regard to the vexed question of private trade:--
"There is no man, perhaps," he wrote, "who has equal zeal or is so well able as Mr. Marsden to manage your affairs, and I am confident there is no man upon earth who has more at heart the welfare of the New Zealanders than himself. Yet a man who is so oppressed with his public and private duties for want of time, and who is on that account generally in a hurry, must leave many things undone. In all Mr. Marsden's letters to me, he has promised to assist me in every possible way, and I do not doubt his willingness to do it, yet it so happens--and it is a subject of too great importance to conceal it--that no settled plan has hitherto been adopted for the regulation of the settlement and for the support of the school. The consequence has been that almost all
* Cf. The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, pp. 26i-2n.
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the supplies have fallen into the hands of one individual settler. Private trade has completely overbalanced the Society's trade, and the latter is so much reduced in value that the settlers in general can scarce procure a good hog or provide for the wants of their families; much less can they procure a sufficient supply to enable them to carry on their respective callings; and the school, of course, has been almost reduced to nothing, merely for want of a handful of potatoes to give each scholar to eat. Some order of a positive nature must be given by the Society and Mr. Marsden too, or else I am certain the settlement will be in a short time deserted by many. I have been told Mr. Gordon and Mr. Carlisle have been without pork at all at a time when many casks of pork have been in the settlement; for to this they could have no access because it was purchased with private property. If nothing is determined in the above respects; if each settler cannot procure for his family a proportionate share of the necessaries of life, such as pork, potatoes, etc., to which he is justly entitled in a missionary settlement, there will be no such thing as peace amongst us for any length of time, and the situation will be peculiarly painful for a schoolmaster or a clergyman. We perfectly agree in rationing out all supplies which we receive from Mr. Marsden; we only want to agree in the particulars.
"Firstly.--To purchase all we want from the natives with the Society's trade, and, should it be agreed upon to add any other trade to it, for each settler to bear his proportion of the expense.
"Secondly.--To divide the pork, potatoes, mats, etc., in fair proportions to each family.
"Thirdly.--To allow a certain quantity of pork and potatoes per day to such natives as live with the settlers.
"Fourthly.--To lay the remainder of the potatoes aside for the school. Timber, flax, and such articles as are wanted for the Active and not of particular use to the settlement might be excluded from the above regulations.
"I have consulted my colleagues in general upon this subject, and they are of opinion with me that to follow the above plan would give general satisfaction. There ought to be no provisions of any kind sent to ships unless the affairs of the settlement admit of it. As the Society's concerns ought not to suffer for the sake of private interest, so they ought not for the temporary gratification of a body. The school, whoever teaches it, will, as long as it is encouraged and duly attended to by the teacher, press itself continually upon the consideration of the settlers and the Society.
"The settlement (except as has been mentioned above) is in a promising state. Several natives around us have been employed in farming, twine spinning, sawing timber, etc. Our buildings are completed, and we are setting forward with our fences. We want a building for a chapel. You would do right to encourage the settlers to begin this work.
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"Our families are generally in good health. My colleague, Mr. King, has lost one of his children by death. The rest are all well. There are nine unbaptized children in the settlement. My eldest daughter is now in her fifteenth year. My next is in her fourteenth year. I have now two daughters and five sons living. * The natives do not molest our children at all. Their walks are, of course, limited, but the whole of the settlers' children are cheerful and happy."
"I have formerly acquainted you," Kendall continued on December 18th, "that during the first two or three years' residence of your missionary settlers at this place we have never been visited by very large parties. In the month of March last fifty war and other canoes containing about one thousand persons were at this settlement. When numbers of natives are about us, they are often very troublesome, it being a difficult matter for the chiefs who are most friendly to our interests to keep their people under restraint. I conceive our trials will be much heavier for some years to come than they hitherto have been, the cause of which apparently arises out of this circumstance--that the native spirit has been roused by the long intercourse of the natives with Europeans, but none of them having been converted to Christianity, the native heart with its blind attachment to the most barbarous customs remains unchanged, and inclines its possessor to pursue them with additional vigour.
"In the first year after our arrival many New Zealanders died. They had not food sufficient to keep them alive, and in this weak condition we could discern but little of the native minds. Since then the natives in general at the Bay of Islands and parts of the country adjacent, eager to procure implements of war and implements of husbandry, have exerted themselves so much in cultivating land for potatoes, Indian corn, etc., that they have not only obtained such articles as they wanted but have lived much better themselves, and there has been but little mortality. Their native disposition has, of course, been greatly revived, and, being heathens still, they follow the customs and traditions of their forefathers with avidity. War is all their glory. They travel to the south and kill great numbers. Almost the whole of the native men belonging to this Bay are now gone to battle. ** Although the natives in general show no disposition to injure us, yet, being so unsettled and unsteady, our situation amongst them is more trying and uncomfortable.
"With respect to our own conduct, we have hitherto been strictly neutral. We have made it our constant practice to be kind to strangers, and whilst we continue to be still I am under no fears whatever respecting our personal safety."
* Cf. The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, p. 417.
** Hongi Hika's expedition to Hauraki.--Vide Appendix C, p. 264.
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Unhappily Kendall, in the meantime, had permitted himself to succumb to those influences which were ultimately to destroy him and compel his retirement from the New Zealand Mission. A letter to the Secretary, dated December 21st, 1818, shows something of the state of his mind.
"Time passes swift with me," he wrote. "I have been now nearly six years absent from my native land. I have had but very few opportunities during the first two years of uniting in the worship of God with a Christian congregation, and during the last four years mine eyes have been constantly fixed on scenes of human depravity and woe, and my ears have listened to and have partly been infected with the profane and obscene rubbish contained in heathen songs. The latter I am under the necessity of attending to, for it greatly assists me in learning the language to write down the themes of the natives and study their true meaning. * The study is painful, and like the study of the Metamorphoses of Ovid tends to injure the mind. O, how it would refresh me to enjoy a little repose in a Christian land; to be again united with a Christian congregation."
Kendall's correspondence for 1819 opens with a letter, dated April 21st, which made it evident to Marsden that the settlers had not yet learned to live in harmony, and that length of contact served only to emphasise entire lack of sympathy with each other.
"Mr. Hall and myself can act no longer in concert together," Kendall declared. "We are like unto the iron pot and the earthen pot carried on by the same current. We must not come near each other in haste, lest one of us be dashed to pieces. Mr. Hall has had, in my opinion, a fair opportunity of pleasing the Society and of becoming most nobly popular, and if he chooses to build a chapel and disinterestedly to promote the designs of the Society, he may become so still. But if he only intends so far to perform his duty as is consistent with his own private interests, if he only means to make himself independent of the Society by buying up all that he can in the settlement and selling it to shippers for the attainment of his object, he must be opposed. It is not long since that I attempted to follow him, but I soon found the impropriety of it. ** We might pursue temporal objects until the main objects of the Society were entirely laid aside. Besides, every missionary that comes here shares in equal duties and dangers, and has an undoubted right to an equal share of the necessaries of life I have nothing to say against Mr. Hall's moral character. He has also been very ready to sharpen my plane irons and has done me several other favours for which I am thankful, but we have always differed in our opinions, and seem to be a stumbling block in each
* Vide infra, p. 21711.
** "Mr. Hall said I could as well afford to lay out £30 per annum as they could in order to keep upon an even balance with them. I tried for quietness until I was ashamed."
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other's way. I will not, if I can help it, come near him to quarrel with him. I therefore shall keep to my own work and from him. Perhaps things may be better with us by and by."
Upon these statements Marsden commented to the Secretary in his covering letter:--
"This letter will show you how Messrs. Kendall and Hall are acting towards each other. As I wish you to know the good and the bad, I send it. Hall is to blame. Offences will come; we must expect them. Upon the whole we may say all is well."
At the same time Marsden had been so much exercised with regard to the private trade carried on by the Bay of Islands missionaries that he had sent them a letter * expressing his hope that "they would resolve one and all to have nothing to do with private trade." Marsden's influence had its effect, and on May 17th the settlers forwarded to the Society an agreement, signed by all, to abandon entirely the trade with the natives, particularly in muskets and powder. **
The Committee of the Church Missionary Society had now decided to increase the strength of the New Zealand Mission, and had sent out the Rev. John Butler--the first ordained clergyman to reside in New Zealand--Francis Hall, a schoolmaster, and James Kemp, a smith and Catechist. Accompanied by Marsden, these missionaries reached the Bay of Islands in the General Gates *** on August 12th, 1819, and the Mission entered upon its second phase under the superintendence of Butler. **** Kendall, who had already been advised by the Committee of the departure of his new colleagues from England, was at the same time assured of their "full approbation of his proceedings" during the whole of his residence in New Zealand.
Marsden himself, before leaving New Zealand in the Active on November 9th, presented a number of queries on November 5th to the missionaries, whose replies give some indication of the state of the Mission at this time. *****
"1. How far, in your opinion, has a regular communication between New Zealand and Port Jackson through the medium of the Active contributed to your security and comfort during your residence in the Island?"
"Answer.--Our security and comfort has been greatly promoted by a regular communication between New Zealand and Port Jackson through the medium of the Active during our residence in the Island. The constant attention that has been paid to us
* Quoted in The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, pp. 232-3 (dated February 24th, 1819).
** Cf. The Letters and Journals of Samuel Marsden, p. 235.
*** Ibid, p. I43n.
**** Ibid, p. 144, et seq.; R. J. Barton, Earliest New Zealand (Masterton, N.Z., 1927), passim.
***** Cf. R. McNab, The Historical Records of New Zealand, Vol. I, pp. 438-441.
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by our powerful friends at a distance has made a favourable impression on the minds of the natives in our behalf; and our temporal wants have been also regularly supplied, which could not have been done without a regular intercourse with Port Jackson."
"2. How far has the same communication contributed to the general improvement of those natives who have had an opportunity to visit Port Jackson and to see and taste of the comforts of civil life?"
"Answer.--The natives of New Zealand are men of strong intellect and in general possess a spirit of enterprise and enquiry. Those who have visited Port Jackson have at all times expressed themselves highly gratified with what they have seen and heard in the Colony, and with their various employments there. When they return to this island they will spend many hours, and sometimes whole nights, in telling their countrymen what the customs of Englishmen are, and what are their various occupations in civil life."
"3. Have the respective reports of those natives who have returned to their friends added to your influence and respectability amongst the inhabitants?"
"Answer.--They have."
"4. How far will it be prudent, or even practicable, from the spirit of enterprise and turn for commerce which the New Zealanders possess from their national character, to prevent them from visiting Port Jackson in any vessel which may be employed in the Mission, to dispose of their mats, etc.?"
"Answer.--The natives consider the missionaries on shore, the owner of the vessel, the captain and ship's company, as members of one body. They know also that the vessel is navigated chiefly by their friends the missionaries, and feel themselves more interested in the missionary vessel than they would in any other. It would therefore not be prudent, or even practicable, to prevent the New Zealanders from visiting Port Jackson in a vessel employed in the Mission. That spirit of enterprise and thirst for commerce which they possess would be checked by such a measure, and they would be dissatisfied with the missionaries who lived in the land."
"5. What number of natives and under what regulations, so as to give the most general satisfaction to the chiefs, should be permitted to visit Port Jackson, if it should be deemed necessary for any to go?"
"Answer.--Generally speaking, two or three of the most intelligent youths might be permitted to visit Port Jackson and remain there for some time, for the purpose of being instructed in reading, writing, or the arts. Also a chief or two might be permitted to pay a short visit. Should a greater number of natives be very importunate to embark at any one time, it would be right to yield to their wishes as much as possible, if no other means could be adopted to pacify them."
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"6. Have the deaths of the natives for the last three years been in the same proportion to the two first years you lived amongst them? "
" Answer.--They have not. During the first year in particular there was a great mortality amongst the natives, but we now seldom hear of the death of a native. The natives live better. Many of them were formerly much afflicted with boils, but since they have lived upon more wholesome food they are free from them, and at present appear healthy and well."
"7. Do they manifest a less thirst for war and a greater desire to promote agriculture and commerce than formerly?"
"Answer.--They are still very fond of war, but manifest a greater desire to promote agriculture. The means now afforded to them to purchase axes, hoes, and other European articles with hogs, potatoes, corn, mats, fish lines, etc., have awakened their native industry exceedingly."
"8. Have they in any degree laid aside their ferocious habits, such as shouting, dancing naked, and sham fighting to inflame their passions and to kindle their warlike ardour?"
"Answer.--The surrounding natives are not so much addicted to their habits as formerly. We seldom hear the shouting, etc., except at a time when they are visited by parties from a distant part of the country."
"9. With respect to their religion, do you consider them particularly attentive to their own ceremonies?"
"Answer.--They are particularly attentive to their own ceremonies, chiefly, as we conceive, from the fear of death."
"10. How far do you conceive their superstitions may tend to obstruct the introduction of the Gospel amongst them?"
"Answer.--There appears to be no particular impediment to I the introduction of the Gospel any further than the powerful effect of traditional superstitions."
"11. Do you consider them as fully prepared for the reception of the Gospel as any other uncivilized nation?"
"Answer.--We consider them much more so than any other uncivilized nation which we have heard of."
"12. Have you had any apprehension for your personal safety while living amongst them?"
"Answer.--We have not all been free from apprehensions of this, but we are now under none whatever."
"13.Can public schools be established for the rising generation?"
"Answer.--We believe they can."
"(Signed) WILLIAM HALL.
"THOS. KENDALL.
"JOHN KING."
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[Footnotes for Chapter VI]
