A BRIEF MEMOIR RELATIVE TO THE ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND.
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A BRIEF MEMOIR
RELATIVE TO THE
ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND.
[Submitted to the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, July, 1832]
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A BRIEF MEMOIR
RELATIVE TO THE
ISLANDS OF NEW ZEALAND.
THERE are few subjects connected with New South Wales, more deserving the attention of His Majesty's Ministers, than the trade now carried on between Sydney, the capital of that colony, and the islands of New Zealand.
Previous to the visit of Mr. Bigge, the Commissioner of Inquiry to New South Wales, quantities of the phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax, had been brought to Sydney, and manufactured into every species of cordage except cables; and Mr. Bigge observes, that "its superiority of strength to the hemp of the Baltic has been attested, both by experiments made at Sydney, and by one that was made under his own observation in the King's yard at Deptford."
Mr. Bigge has also stated, that with the means a rope-maker in Sydney "had discovered, of breaking the New Zealand flax in its green state, it may be reckoned as one of the most valuable productions that the soil of New South Wales is capable of producing:" and he recommends, "that a certain number of convicts should be employed in planting the New Zealand flax, either at Emu Plains, or at any other of the Government farms in New South Wales." 1
This recommendation appears, from reasons which I have not ascertained, but probably from the slow growth of the plant in soils not naturally adapted to it, never to have been acted upon by the Colonial Government. Major Goulburn, the late Colonial Secretary, had also anticipated the greater advantages which would result to the colony, by encouraging the industry
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of the natives of New Zealand, in the preparation of this indigenous production of their soil, which is now ascertained to grow spontaneously, in fields of inexhaustible extent, along the more southerly shores of the islands.
The plant is a species of flag, and is perennial, the flaxy fibre forming the under surface of the long leaf; it is separated by the females, who, holding the top of the leaf between their toes, cut through the succulent matter near the top with a shell, and inserting the shell between that substance and the fibre, effect its separation by drawing the shell through the whole length of the leaf. The separation is more easily effected by a mechanical process, when the vegetable is fresh cut, as it contains a gum, which causes it to adhere more strongly when dry; and I believe it was ascertained by experiments made under the direction of Major Goulburn, at Sydney, that the large proportion of the succulent matter made it impossible to effect its separation by decomposition in water, without injuring the strength of the fibre.
Under these circumstances, although essential assistance, by means of better instruments, may be afforded to the natives in the preparation of the flax, there is little prospect either of its plantation or preparation, becoming a profitable object of pursuit in the colony.
From the ferocious character of the natives, the Colonial Government, before permitting private individuals to embark in the trade, judged it advisable to dispatch several of their own vessels in the years 1824 and 1825, for the purpose of opening a communication with the tribes along the sea coast, and of sounding their dispositions.
The success of these vessels having demonstrated the practicability of maintaining the trade, it was accordingly thrown open, without restraint, to the enterprize of private individuals, and it appears, in its increase, to have exceeded the most sanguine expectations which could have been entertained respecting it.
According to the statistical returns of New South Wales, for the year 1828, New Zealand flax to the extent of 60 tons, and valued at £2600, was exported from Sydney to England during
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that year. To what extent the trade to New Zealand has increased in the short intervening period, some idea may be formed from the following facts.
During the year 1830, according to returns taken from the custom-house books, 28 distinct vessels, averaging 110 25/28 tons burthen each, made, in the aggregate, 56 voyages to New Zealand; the total tonnage of vessels cleared out for New Zealand, being that year 5888 tons. In the same year, 26 distinct vessels of the average burthen of 114 15/26 tons, arrived from these islands, having made, in the aggregate, 46 voyages inwards; their total tonnage amounting to 4959 tons. It also appears that, of 78 vessels which cleared out from Sydney, for "Foreign States, South Sea Islands, and Fisheries," 56 were for New Zealand; and of 64 reported as arrived, under the same heads, 46 were from the same place.
These voyages were undertaken chiefly for the purpose of procuring New Zealand flax, but it has also been customary for vessels to leave parties on different parts of the coast, to prosecute the whale and seal fisheries, in the bays which are frequented at certain seasons of the year, by the black whale, and the seal.
Establishments have also been formed for the purpose of procuring spars for shipping, and timber for house building; the timber of New Zealand being softer and more easily worked than that of New Holland. Two very handsome vessels, one of the burthen of 370 tons, and the other of the burthen of 140 tons, have also been built in one of the rivers by English mechanics; but in all their pursuits, the English are largely assisted by the natives.
The trade in flax is considered to have been extremely profitable to those who have embarked in it, and although several vessels had returned unsuccessful towards the close of last year; this was attributed to its having been the season when the natives are engaged in preparing their potatoe grounds, an employment from which they will permit nothing to divert their attention. One of the oldest and most eminent merchants in Sydney, who had not hitherto been concerned in the trade, was
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accordingly preparing to embark in it, and those who are best acquainted with the subject, affirm that a very great increase may be expected. I am informed that the merchants of Hobart Town and Launceston, in Van Diemen's Land, who have not hitherto prosecuted the New Zealand trade to any extent, have also had their attention roused to its advantages, and are beginning to engage in it with ardour.
The chief features in the character of the natives of the islands of New Zealand are now, I believe, generally understood. As individuals, they are remarkable for a vigour of mind, and a forecast, which distinguishes them, perhaps, from all other savages, who have made so little advance in the arts of civilized life, and their discernment in appreciating the advantages of civilization is not greater than the energy and self-denial they will manifest in the pursuit of a distant advantage. As members of a community they are chiefly remarkable for the ferocity with which they engage in the perpetual wars that the different tribes wage with each other; --for that contempt of human life, which is the natural result of a warfare that aims at the extermination or captivity of the hostile tribe; --and, for the revolting practice of eating the flesh of the enemies they have slain, and even of their own slaves, when pressed by hunger.
It has been stated, in palliation of the character of the New Zealander, that this is a superstitious observance; but those who are best acquainted with them affirm, that it is also the result of a preference for that sort of food.
Their chiefs are hereditary, and of different ranks, forming, with their connections, a kind of aristocracy, the principal members of which enjoy different degrees of authority; but the power of the King, or principal Chief of the tribe, is absolute; and the great body of the people are in a state of slavery, and at the entire disposal of their masters, who put them to death on the slightest occasion, or from mere caprice.
The food of these islanders consists of the root of the fern, (pteris esculenta), which grows to a large size, and in the greatest abundance, in every part of the islands, and of potatoes which are cultivated by the slaves. Many of the chiefs also
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possess herds of swine, but seldom or never use the flesh of the latter as an article of food, when they can dispose of it in trading with Europeans.
The trade carried on with this singular race, is of a nature strongly indicative of their character. When it was first opened axes, knives, and other edge tools, together with beads and similar ornaments, were received with avidity; but now they will scarcely receive any thing in exchange, but arms and ammunition. Honghi or Shungi, the late chief of the bay of Islands Tribe, could bring into the field 500 warriors, all of the aristocratic or free class, armed with muskets; and so well are they now acquainted with the qualities of the latter, that a vessel which lately took down 200, could not dispose of them on any terms, because the locks were only single-bridled. The same vessel disposed of a ton-and-a-half of gunpowder, in exchange for flax, in a few days, and would have had as little difficulty in disposing of the muskets, had they been of a better description. Although most of the Chiefs can now muster a large force armed with muskets, their avidity to add to their armoury has undergone no diminution; and with the exception of blankets, red woollen shirts, and other warm clothing, and tobacco, scarcely any other article of English manufacture or merchandize has, as yet, any attraction for them.
The intercourse thus carried on between the colony of New South Wales and the islands of New Zealand, is worthy of the attention of the Government, first, as it interferes with the efficiency of the former, as a Penal Settlement. From the reports of those who have visited the coasts of New Zealand, it is ascertained that numerous runaway convicts are living in that country, and assisting in carrying on the traffic; and as the trade increases, this evil will, undoubtedly, increase also, in spite of the strictest search it is possible to make of vessels leaving the harbour of Port Jackson, and the heavy penalties attached to the offence of assisting in the escape of convicts. This intercourse also claims the attention of His Majesty's Ministers, from the advantages which could not fail to result from fostering and protecting a trade, that is calculated to open a very considerable demand for, British manufactures, and to
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yield in return an article of raw produce, not only valuable to England as a manufacturing country, but indispensable to her greatness as a maritime power; and which, the superiority of that power will always enable her to command, independently of foreign countries. And, lastly, --apart from all motives of interest, --it is deserving of attention from the opportunities it affords of civilizing, and converting to Christianity, one of the most interesting races of people which British enterprize has yet discovered in any quarter of the globe.
Though stained with the habitual practice of cannibalism, a crime more calculated than all others to excite the horror and detestation of the civilized world, the New Zealander will not, on that account, be debarred from the efforts of the philanthropist; and he is possessed of many noble qualities, which cannot fail to excite the sympathy, and to encourage the endeavours of those who may interest themselves in his improvement. The New Zealander's point of honour is revenge, and this he will pursue in spite of danger and difficulty. For this he will encounter every fatigue, and submit to every privation. No stance of time or space will conquer his resolution. His whole soul is engaged in the pursuit, and he would be dishonoured among his tribe, were he to sit down in quiet, while the manes of his friend or relation were unappeased with the blood of the enemy by whose hand he fell. With this spirit of revenge is also united in the New Zealand Chief, a nice feeling of honour on other points that concern his dignity, which leads him immediately to perceive and resent any slight or insult offered to his person. But he is not more distinguished for ferocity and cruelty to the enemy of his tribe, than for a strength of attachment to his kindred, which will dissolve the savage warrior in tears on the neck of his friend, whom he meets after a long separation; nor is he less susceptible of gratitude for kindness, than of indignation at injurious treatment.
But although his glory consists in warfare, the New Zealander has not, like the native American, learned to despise the habits of civilized life, nor, like the savage of New Holland, is he incapable of appreciating the value of the mechanical arts, or insensible to the advantages of commerce: neither, like his
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brethren of the inter-tropical islands of the Pacific, is he enervated by a voluptuous climate, and furnished, by the spontaneous bounty of the soil, with a profusion of the necessaries and luxuries of life. His climate is not less favourable to exertion, than exertion is necessary to his comfort, and if his wants are at present few, it is only because there is no security for his property, beyond his war-canoe and his arms.
Those of his countrymen who have visited Sydney, have often evinced a curiosity and penetration which would have been considered as the characteristics of an educated foreigner, rather than of an unenlightened savage. Some of these visitors, who were treated with a degree of respect which enabled them to satisfy their curiosity without danger of insult, were observed to exhibit, by the objects which arrested their attention, a very high degree of mental activity and acuteness. They would examine most minutely into the construction of a piece of mechanism; and they were not satisfied to admire the shewy colours of an English carpet, without also comparing its texture with that of the mats manufactured by their own women. On the whole, their admiration of every thing they witnessed, and of those who possessed such things, was unbounded. 2
The vigour of mind and intelligence displayed by this people, joined to the many respectable, though misdirected moral qualities they possess, are indicative of a state, the most favourable for grafting upon them the improvements of civilization, and the blessings of Christianity; and will, undoubtedly, of their own accord, lead ultimately to these results, without the intervention of the British Government. It would, however, be a cold and calculating policy, which should not gladly embrace an opportunity for effecting these objects, when arising out of
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circumstances, upon which it has become necessary to act, from considerations of a more interested character.
It has been already stated, that the asylum offered by the coasts of New Zealand holds out to the convict such a temptation to escape from New South Wales, as greatly to lessen the efficacy of transportation to that colony as a punishment. On this ground alone, it has become necessary that some connection should be formed with the chiefs of the former country, in order that runaways may be delivered up by them, instead of being protected or tolerated by their people as at present. And with regard to the trade for New Zealand flax, it has been shewn to have now attained such a degree of importance, as will, undoubtedly, secure for it, from his Majesty's Government, any protection, comparatively to its importance, which it may be proved to require. But from recent circumstances, it has become extremely doubtful whether that trade can any longer be safely pursued, without some treaty with the native chiefs, for the purpose of securing the persons and the property of the English and the New Zealanders, respectively, from the violence of each other. A case had occurred at the commencement of the present year, which will prove this position.
An English brig, the -----, of London, ----- master,
had been chartered by a mercantile house in Sydney, to proceed to New Zealand, for the purpose of procuring a cargo of New Zealand flax. Finding that the commodities he had carried with him were not suitable for the trade, and that he would have to return to Sydney without a cargo, if he could contrive no other means of procuring one, the master of the brig entered into a contract with the young chief of the Kapity tribe, on the Northern island, at Cook's Straits, to assist him in revenging the death of his father, who had been recently killed by the chief of the Marinouis, another tribe residing on the middle island, about 300 miles distant, on condition of his receiving a full cargo of flax.
He accordingly received this chief, with two hundred of his followers, all armed with muskets, on board his vessel, and sailed for the enemy's harbour, where he came to an anchor, having
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the chief and all his party concealed from sight in the hold. The chief of the Marinouis, accompanied by his wife and two girls, his daughter about eight, and his niece about thirteen, years of age, came alongside the vessel, and being invited on board, were immediately made prisoners, and secured in the fore-cabin. It is generally asserted, and is sufficiently probable, that a number of his followers were butchered on the ship's decks by their enemies, who came from the hold to attack them unawares. But the second mate of the brig, from whom the particulars of this narrative were obtained, denies that there was any bloodshed whatever on board the vessel. He also states, that the ship's company were desirous of sailing with the chief and his family, without allowing the New Zealanders to land, as they proposed to do, in order to attack the village by night; but the master stated his apprehensions, that if his crew should oppose the designs of their passengers, the latter would turn their arms upon themselves. The New Zealanders accordingly landed in the ship's boats during the night, killed about 200 of the villagers, carried off about fifty captives, and reduced the village to ashes.
On finding his situation, the captive chief succeeded in suffocating his child in the night, and it was believed that he also intended to deprive the other females and himself of life; but the noise occasioned by the attempt brought the ship's company into the place where they were confined, and he was deprived of a small cord, with which it appeared the child had been destroyed.
On the return of the vessel to Kapity, the females were preserved for slaves; but the chief having been fixed to a cross, his throat was cut by the widow of the late chief of Kapity, whom he had slain; and while she drank up a portion of the blood as it flowed, her son, the young chief, tore out the eyes of his victim, and swallowed them, in order to prevent their becoming stars, as, according to the superstition of the islanders, would otherwise have been the case.
The monster who was accessary to this tragedy was, however, disappointed of his reward. The young chief of Kapity having attained his object, refused to fulfil the conditions; and
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his vessel returned to Sydney without the cargo, which was to have been the reward of such atrocity. On reaching Sydney, his proceedings were reported by some of his crew to the magistrates, who, after an examination, required him to find bail to the amount of 3,000l.; but it was generally believed that there was no existing law which would reach his case.
As a comment upon this narrative, it is only necessary to advert to the revengeful character of the New Zealanders, and to observe, that with regard to Europeans, their revenge has hitherto been indiscriminate.
Considerable alarm had naturally enough been excited at Sydney among those who were interested in the trade; and I believe a representation had been made to the Colonial Government upon the subject. I have understood it was recommended by the merchants that the country should be taken possession of by the British Government, as well in order to secure the trade to British subjects, as that an establishment might be formed for the mutual protection of the British and the New Zealanders in their intercourse with each other.
It is well known in the colony, that in their late voyages of discovery to the South Seas, the French directed much of their attention to the Islands of New Zealand (D'Urville having, in 1827, been occupied for two months in the survey of the Middle Island alone), and apprehensions are very generally entertained that they will be ultimately taken possession of by that power. It has also been suggested, that a settlement in New Zealand would prove of great value to the Russians, as a place of refreshment for their ships, on their voyage by that route to the Russian settlements at Kamschatka, and on the north-west coast of America.
Without, on the one hand, participating much in these apprehensions, or pretending, on the other hand, to be a competent judge of the policy which might actuate France or Russia in such matters, the few observations I propose to add are intended to shew that, in my opinion, without taking a formal possession of these Islands, or forming expensive establishments upon them, it would be possible for the British Government, at little or no expense, to secure the two objects, which more imme-
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diately concern Great Britain, namely, the delivering up of runaway convicts, who might seek shelter on the coasts of New Zealand, and the protection and encouragement of the valuable trade which is already established.
It is, I believe, generally known, that the Church Missionary Society, and the Wesleyan Missionary Society, have, for a considerable number of years, had settlements on the Northern Island of New Zealand. A very considerable intercourse has accordingly taken place between the Missionaries, some of whom are very enlightened men, and the natives. The Church Missionary stations are at the Bay of Islands, and at Kidee Kidee, about sixteen miles distant from that place; at which stations about a dozen Missionaries, with their families, reside; and where they have established schools for the instruction of the natives. The zeal of the latter in imitating the manners and customs of Europeans, has induced many, even old men, to submit to the drudgery of learning to read and write, and, in the year 1828, about 100 persons, children and adults, attended the school at the Bay of Islands alone.
The influence which the immediate benefits conferred by the Missionaries upon the natives, and their disinterested conduct have procured, has been continually on the increase. But the Missionaries complain, that their labours are, in a great degree, counteracted by the licentious conduct of the crews of vessels which visit the Bay of Islands. And as power and authority, in every shape, command the highest respect of these people, and the Missionaries, besides making no pretensions to authority, are often lessened in the eyes of the natives, by the contempt with which they are spoken of by the seamen, their influence has little power over the conduct of the majority of New Zealanders, unless when strengthened by more interested motives. The conduct of the Missionaries, however, in such parts of the Islands as they have visited, joined to the opinions which have been spread of the power and wealth of the English, by those chiefs who have visited Sydney, from almost every part of the coast, have produced a respect for the character of the English, and a dread of their power, that are not less univer-
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sal, than their desire to cultivate the trade, from which they can derive such advantages.
At the end of this paper there is a minute of the Committee of Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society, which was sent to the Rev. Mr. Marsden, of New South Wales, in 1827, and which I have been allowed to transcribe. This document, while it throws light on the general character of the New Zealander, proves that all the chiefs were not so devoted to warfare, as to prefer it to all other pursuits: and that some of them were even willing to purchase a peaceful life, by quitting their native country.
It has been the opinion of Mr. Marsden, who having the direction of the Missions, has made frequent visits to New Zealand, and who is held in the highest respect by the Islanders, that the great body of the chiefs would often decline to join the expeditions of their leader, if they could refuse with safety: and that nothing is more generally desired among them than the establishment of an authority, that would secure a peaceful life to those who were desirous of it. A number of the chiefs of the Northern Island, to whom Mr. Marsden recommended that they should make an end of their wars by electing among themselves a king, to whom the whole should yield obedience, unanimously answered, that no chief of an independent tribe would ever be brought to acknowledge the authority of another chief, unless he and his tribe were first reduced to slavery. But they as unanimously agreed, that "if King George would send them a king," they would joyfully submit to his authority.
Under these circumstances, it appears to me, that if an authorized agent or resident were established by the British Government at the Bay of Islands, or at any other place which might appear more eligible, and invested with the authority of a magistrate over his own countrymen, he would be able to enter into a separate treaty with each chief, or a general treaty with the whole, having for its basis the reciprocal security of British subjects and the natives of New Zealand in their commercial intercourse. And the delivering up, by the latter, of
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all runaway convicts and persons not having authority from the British Government, to trade in the Islands.
From the character and intelligence of the chiefs, their cannot be the least doubt of their capacity to understand the obligations of such a treaty, or of their power to cause them to be fulfilled: and also, that the whole number of chiefs could be made to guarantee their performance, by each separate individual. But, indeed, nothing more would be requisite to bring the most refractory of them to reason, than to prohibit the trade to his district till he should see fit to fulfil his obligations. It would be necessary to enter into a separate treaty with the chief of the Bay of Islands tribe, for the cession of a tract of country at that harbour, and for the property of the harbour itself, reserving to the natives its free navigation. A similar right might also be acquired at the River Thames, on the eastern coast, and at some other harbour to the southward; and from the numerous British and American whaling vessels, which call at these harbours to refit, it is probable that a small duty levied upon each, for permission to wood and water, would cover all the expenses of such an establishment, or if not, a small fee made payable at the Custom House of Sydney, on the clearing out of vessels for the New Zealand trade, would make up the difference
Without assuming any authority over the natives, beyond what might be voluntarily conceded to his character, or attempting any interference in their internal government, except by persuasion and advice, it is beyond a doubt that the influence of the resident would be sufficient to induce the New Zealanders to abandon the worst practices to which they are at present addicted, and which, even now, a respect for the opinions of Europeans, leads them to conceal and deny: and that, joined to the exertions of the Missionaries in their education, and the humanizing influence of commerce, and the domestic industry it would produce, their respect for the British character would lead them at length to abandon the ferocious character of the savage and the cannibal, for the principles of a milder religion, and the habits of a more civilized people.
JAMES BUSBY.
June, 1831.
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Copy of a Minute of the Committee of the Missionaries attached to the Church Missionary settlement at New Zealand.
MR. WILLIAMS calls the attention of the Committee, to a subject left by Mr. Marsden for their consideration, namely, the formation of a Settlement in New South Wales, for New Zealanders, in consequence of the application made by various Chiefs, who are anxious to avoid many of those evils which they cannot avoid in their own Country.
The following questions were proposed: --
I. Does the present state of the New Zealanders render it desirable that any such Settlement should be formed?
It is thought desirable, unanimously.
1. Because those natives who wish to abstain from war, are unable, in consequence of the threats with which their friends intimidated them, in case of their refusal.
2. Because those who wish to adopt habits of civilization cannot, inasmuch as property is never safe.
3. Because there are many peaceable Chiefs, with their tribes, who are now in continual fear from their more powerful neighbours the Napuhis; to which may be added, that there are some tribes in the Bay which have been broken up by them, and are now living in the same uncertain state.
4. As a refuge for Slaves, who now are unable to possess property, or to marry, and are not certain of their lives for a day: whereas there are several living at this time with the Missionaries, who are anxious to change their condition.
5. In order that natives from other parts of the Islands, who now, owing to the perpetual warfare which exists among the tribes, are and must be excluded from religious instruction, may thus be brought together for their own benefit, and be prepared for future usefulness among their people, in which case also a union might be formed among the tribes, which now is impracticable.
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6. As a refuge for the body of Missionaries in New Zealand, where they might still continue their labours, in case any violence should take place on the part of the natives, such as they are frequently threatened with, and of which there has been already an awful example.
7. Because frequent applications are made by various Chiefs, requesting to have a Settlement formed for them in a distant land, where the advantages mentioned can be secured to them.
II. Mr. Marsden having suggested that a Settlement for this purpose may be formed in the neighbourhood of Parramatta, the opinion of the Committee is asked relative to this situation.
It is unamiously disapproved.
1. Because the New Zealanders, like the Aborigines of New Holland, being so near the Europeans, could be kept under no restraint by the Missionaries, but would be continually liable to stray.
2. Because the New Zealander, being unacquainted with English laws and customs, would be in continual broils with the Europeans, and the punishments they might receive in consequence, would very much endanger the safety of the Missionaries in New Zealand.
3. Because the New Zealanders would be established in all kinds of wickedness by their intercourse with prisoners, which would very much preclude the hope of rendering them a benefit, either temporal or spiritual.
4. Because a sufficient portion of land cannot be procured to supply the purposes of the Settlement near to Parramatta, for the number of natives who wish to go.
5. Because the expenses of the Settlement would be very much greater in the immediate neighbourhood of civilized society; because the natives would be dissatisfied unless they were clothed and fed as Europeans.
III. At what distance from Port Jackson is it thought that such a settlement may be formed?
At not less than 100 miles from Port Jackson.
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IV. What expense is it thought would be incurred in forming such a Settlement?
For the Europeans, who may accompany the Settlement, it is considered that the expense will be no greater than if they were in New Zealand.
For the natives, it is calculated that £5 a head would supply them with food and blanket for the first year, after which, they would render themselves independent.
The children in the school and the natives in employ, would be at the same expense as in New Zealand.
V. What number of Europeans will be required to attend to a Settlement formed for the above purpose?
Not less than three.
VI. Whether is it desirable that all or part of this number shall have lived in New Zealand, in order to become acquainted with New Zealand manners and customs?
It is unanimously considered that not less than two, who have resided in New Zealand.
