1908 - McNab, R. Historical Records of New Zealand, Volume I - [Pages 650-699, 1826-1829]

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ployed to get her afloat; and after fully considering the information I have procured, I am of opinion that were the vessel my own property, I would hazard a considerable sum in making the attempt, and therefore, should Your Excellency think fit to send me to New Zealand, I am ready to exert my best efforts to save her. I am induced to offer my services in this undertaking from the consideration that there is a vessel about to sail for the purpose of bringing off the stores and cargo, and that the crew of the vessel, consisting of sixteen men, with the assistance of two ship-carpenters, appears to me to be sufficient to bring into action the means I would employ. Were it to be attended with any considerable expense I should not have advised the measure, nor ventured to incur the responsibility.

I have, &c.,
JOHN BUSBY.
His Excellency Sir Thomas Brisbane, K. C. B., Governor in Chief, &c, &c.

MR. JOHN BUSBY TO GOVERNOR SIR THOMAS BRISBANE.

SIR, -- Sydney, 20th July, 1825.

When, in reply to my application to Your Excellency for remuneration for the time I was employed at New Zealand beyond the period for which my services for the year were engaged to H. M. Government, I was verbally informed by Major Ovens that Your Excellency's instructions would not allow you to deviate from the letter of the despatch respecting me, I was of course bound to acquiesce for the time in Your Excellency's view of the subject.

As, however, from my written communication with H. M. Government previous to my leaving England, copies of which I did myself the honour to lay before Your Excellency, I conceived I had an undoubted right to be remunerated, not only in the moderate measure in which with a view to the subsequent matter of this letter I proposed to Your Excellency, but to make a charge proportionate to the danger and difficulty of my undertaking and the merit of my success, and I accordingly expressed a hope that when I came to submit the matter to my Lord Bathurst I might be favoured with Your Excellency's testimonial to my zeal and industry in the discharge of my duties.

In my communications, however, with Your Excellency on this subject I have hitherto, in delicacy, avoided the mention of any reward independent of my pay in the shape of an acknowledgement of the merit of the undertaking I accomplished, because such coming spontaneously from Your Excellency would

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have been more gratifying to my feelings, and because I calculated with confidence that when Your Excellency came to consider the matter the mention of such by me would have been unnecessary.

Aware of the many important matters which have of late pressed upon Your Excellency's attention, I have continued to defer the matter, most unwilling to conclude that it had altogether escaped your remembrance; and from a persuasion that to come to a favourable determination it would only be necessary for you to give it a fair hearing, I have again come to the determination of intreating your attention to it. And as in my letter to Your Excellency, proposing to endeavour to save the vessel, I stated experience in such matters as one of the reasons inducing me thereto, I shall illustrate the subject by a reference to a case in which I was once engaged.

In the year 1808, the smack Earl of Dalkeith, a Leith and Hull trader, was cast away on the coast of Northumberland with a valuable cargo on board. The vessel was sunk in twenty feet of water, and her decks had been lifted off by the surge, the bottom only being retained by the weight of the cargo resting upon it. A committee of engineers appointed by the consignees of the goods have examined the situation in which she lay, and pronounced as hopeless any attempt to save any part of the cargo. About two months afterwards I happened to be on a visit to some of my friends in that neighbourhood, and having been attracted by curiosity to visit the place where the vessel lay, it occurred to me that I could apply means which would be successful in saving a part of her cargo. I immediately proposed to the underwriters and consignees that, with their permission, I would endeavour to save a part of the cargo, that I should be at every expense, and that I should give over to the respective proprietors one fourth of the goods saved. Having obtained full authority from all parties interested, I proceeded with the undertaking, which occupied me a whole summer. But after deducting an immense expense for machinery applied before I succeeded in adopting what was at length successful, I saved property which cleared me about £1,000 stg., the underwriters and many of those whose goods were not insured having handsomely declined to receive their share of the proceeds. With this case of a parallel nature, which I have documents in my possession to prove, I would beg of Your Excellency to look at the facts of the case on which I have now the honour to address you.

H. M. colonial brig Elizabeth Henrietta was driven on shore at New Zealand. H. M. S. Tees was sent to her relief, but returned unsuccessful: Captain Coe's letter to Your Excellency,

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stating "that their whole strength was insufficient to move her," and "that they were under the necessity of leaving her, having carried away every purchase they had." H. M. colonial cutter Mermaid was about to sail to bring home her stores and the flax she had on board when I accidentally heard of the circumstance. I inquired into the situation in which the vessel was left, and I instantly determined to volunteer my services to save her.

I was not deterred by the consideration that since I had been similarly engaged sixteen years had wasted my energies, and begun to bring on the infirmities of old age. I was not deterred by the consideration of the ridicule which might attach to me if unsuccessful, or of the reflection success might throw upon those who had previously failed. My professional character would, I thought, save them from any. I was not deterred by the consideration of the dangers and hardships of a sojourn on a stormy coast and among a race of cannibals. I was not withheld by all these considerations. I looked only to the possibility of saving the vessel, and resolved to make the attempt.

My letter to Your Excellency on my arrival does injustice to myself in stating only a part of my services; and it makes no allusion to my privations and dangers. These I thought would reach Your Excellency through other channels. It is but justice to myself now to state that by saving the vessel I saved also a cargo of New Zealand flax, as both vessels returned with cargoes. To look on the other hand at the expense by which all this was accomplished, Captain Coe recommended that I should not take less than fifty men, as that number would be required. I was aware that if my means were applicable a much smaller number would suffice. In addition to the Mermaid's crew of sixteen, I required only a carpenter and a blacksmith. On the arrival of the Mermaid where the Elizabeth Henrietta lay, I determined on not even detaining her. I took six individuals, and said to Mr. Kent, You are at liberty to go and collect your cargo of flax; these men will serve my purpose. We were left with ten weeks' provisions. In 26 days we got the vessel afloat. The Mermaid did not return till upwards of fourteen weeks had elapsed, and we were reduced to lengthen out our scanty provisions with the addition of shellfish and fern-root. The cordage and stores expended could not exceed £10 in value.

I now solicited Mr. Kent to despatch the Elizabeth Henrietta with her cargo, and follow himself when the cutter should have obtained hers. He was, however, anxious to bring both vessels home with him, and we were detained by adverse winds upon

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the coast, at one time out of sight of land with only one day's provisions on board, till eight months after I had left my family, who never during all that time heard of me, and who were now in extreme distress.

Mr. Kent, who commanded the vessel when she went on shore, on his arrival, in addition to his pay and I believe other allowances, had 940 dollars paid him, being one fourth of the value of the flax, for his merit in collecting it; and a great part of which could not have been purchased but for the hatchets made by the blacksmith I took with me. Even his inferior officers have been indebted to Your Excellency's bounty. It must surely have been from the pressure of other business abstracting Your Excellency's attention from this that you have never yet signified to me your approbation of my having saved the property of the Crown.

Mr. Kent is a young man, and without connexions here to suffer on his account. It is otherwise with me; and, though the vigour of my constitution has enabled me without much injury to overcome the privations I have suffered, my wife's health in my absence received a shock for which no remuneration can compensate.

In thus stating these circumstances to Your Excellency, and again intreating your consideration for them, I hope you will believe that I am influenced by an extreme unwillingness to refer the determination of them to any other than yourself.

I have, &c,
JOHN BUSBY.

P. S. --If after a consideration of the circumstances stated in the accompanying letter Your Excellency should recognise my claim on H. M. Government, I hope you will receive with favour a proposal, which will essentially benefit me, and instead of expense be attended with advantage to Government. From my report on the Newcastle Coal Works, Your Excellency will perceive that the expense of conducting that establishment is greater than the return it yields. In that report I pointed out improvements which would have gone far to have rendered the Coal Works profitable to Government, but verbally suggested to Your Excellency the expediency of letting them, as I conceived that it would be difficult for Government to manage them on the same economical terms as a private individual. The manner in which the working of the coal has since been continued, as shewn by their quality, is a proof that even with such minute directions as I then gave, a system of gross mismanagement has prevailed, and which will render a steam engine much earlier necessary than under a different system would

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have been required. And it will readily occur to Your Excellency that the addition of a steam engine, besides the increase of expense would only open the door to further mismanagement. At the time I reported to Your Excellency on the Coal Works, I had no intention of proposing to take them myself. But within these few weeks my oldest son has arrived from England, and as my knowledge of mining would allow me to work the coals with profit under circumstances which would perhaps be unprofitable to any other individual in the colony, it occurred to me, that with his assistance I could manage them without interfering with the remaining time of my engagement to Government, or being prevented from affording my advice and assistance when it should be required, after the period of my engagement had expired. Without entering into particulars, which it would require a minute examination into the past management and present circumstances of the Coal Works to furnish, I would propose to take them on the following principle, viz.: I would furnish to Government the coals required by them at a price which, besides the improvement in their quality, would be an absolute saving on what they have hitherto cost, or would cost, were the management of them still continued in the hands of Government. But as in any circumstances a steam engine will very shortly be required, it will be necessary for the Government to advance the capital for its purchase, and for the sinking of the engine pit, and receive the repayment in coals gradually and at a distant period.

FROM MR. JOHN BUSBY TO COL. DUMARESQ, PRIVATE SECRETARY.

SIR, -- Sydney, 9th January, 1826.

I have the honour to inclose a memorial on the subject of the Elizabeth Henrietta, the vessel I saved at New Zealand, which I am anxious should be submitted for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor previous to the departure of Major Goulburn from the colony, as he is perhaps the only person fully acquainted with the object of the voyage on which the vessel was sent, and the other circumstances connected with my undertaking.

In forwarding my wishes in this respect you will much oblige.

Yours, &c,
JOHN BUSBY.
Colonel Dumaresq, Private Secretary, &c, &c.

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To His Excellency Lieutenant-General Darling, Captain General, and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Territory of New South Wales and its Dependencies.

THE memorial of John Bushy, Civil Engineer and Mineral Surveyor, Sheweth,

That your memorialist volunteered his services to take off H. M. colonial brig Elizabeth Henrietta, stranded on the coast of New Zealand, at great risk of danger to his person and professional character, conceiving that he should thereby perform an acceptable service to the Government.

That your memorialist fully succeeded in his undertaking, after encountering great dangers and privations.

That although upwards of ten months have elapsed since the return of your memorialist from New Zealand he has never been able to bring the case under the notice of the Colonial Government, to whose favourable consideration he conceives himself entitled for the following reasons:--

1. That such a service lying out of the line of his duty, the undertaking was altogether voluntary.

2. That in accomplishing such an undertaking he conceives he has afforded an example which, in similar cases, may prove important in saving the property of the Crown.

3. That, in consequence of the undertaking, the pecuniary gain to Government has been very considerable, to a large share of which your memorialist would have been entitled by law had the property been private, even had it been considered recoverable, but it was abandoned after the fruitless endeavours of H. M. S. Tees to take her off.

That in addition to the saving of the vessel the undertaking was otherwise the means of large gain to Government.

1. In accomplishing the object for which the Elizabeth Henrietta was fitted out and sent on the voyage, at an expense which must be underrated at £1,000.

2. In being the means of procuring the greatest portion of ten tons of flax, valued at £1,000, which flax but for his undertaking could not have been procured, nor supposing it procured, could have been brought home. That although your memorialist did not receive even an approval of his conduct and exertions in having saved the vessel, yet in the same business Government recognised a claim for hazardous employment by allowing the master and officers of the Elizabeth Henrietta, in addition to their pay, a share of the value of the flax, although merely engaged in the execution of their duty.

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That your memorialist submits the following statement of property saved to Government:--

That your memorialist humbly and respectfully solicits that Your Excellency would be pleased to cause an investigation to be made into the circumstances of the case, in order that such remuneration may be rewarded him as the merits of it shall be found to warrant.

And your memorialist will ever pray, &c, &c.

Sydney, 9th January, 1826.

GOVERNOR DARLING TO EARL BATHURST.

New South Wales, Government House, 4th March, 1826.

MY LORD,--

I have the honor to transmit to Your Lordship the accompanying copy of the proceedings of the Board appointed to investigate the claim of Mr. Busby, the Mineral Surveyor, for remuneration for his services in proceeding to New Zealand, and recovering the Government brig Elizabeth Henrietta, which was stranded on that island, and I have in consequence granted a warrant for the payment of three hundred pounds sterling to Mr. Busby, of which I hope Your Lordship will approve.

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2nd. I have not thought it necessary to forward Mr. Busby's memorial, as the proceedings of the Board point out the grounds on which the remuneration was recommended.

3rd. I understand Mr. Busby is not satisfied with the award, but I have not felt myself justified in exceeding the sum recommended by the Board, though I am fully sensible of the zeal which Mr. Busby (who was employed eight months) manifested on this occasion, in voluntarily subjecting himself to the fatigue and privations necessarily attendant on such an undertaking, and of his skill, by which the vessel was saved, after the failure of His Majesty's ship Tees.

4th. From the conversations I have had with Mr. Busby I am satisfied his services may be rendered extremely advantageous to the colony, and I shall not fail to avail myself of his assistance as soon as I can pay the necessary attention to those objects which appear to be within the line of his professions.

I have, &c,
R. DARLING.
To the Right Hon. the Earl Bathurst, E. G.

[Minute.]

R. Darling to A. McLeay.

8th February, 1826.

LET the Board for General Purposes take into consideration the report on the claim set forth in the accompanying memorial of Mr. John Busby, Mineral Surveyor, for services rendered the Government, in proceeding to New Zealand and getting off the colonial brig Elizabeth Henrietta, which was stranded on that island in the month of February, 1824.

R. DARLING.
To the Colonial Secretary.

Board Room, 13th February, 1826.

THE Board for General Purposes, having assembled in conformity with His Excellency the Governor's minute, dated the 8th instant, No. 25, to consider on the remuneration claimed by Mr. Busby, Mineral Surveyor, for services set forth in his memorial dated the 9th ultimo, and having taken into consideration the circumstances of Mr. Busby's volunteering on the occasion alluded to (a service totally unconnected with his official duties), considering also the length of time he was employed, the great danger and personal inconvenience to which he was exposed, together with the value of the vessel and the stores he saved, after the failure of the officers and crew of His

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Majesty's ship Tees, and thus effecting the object which Government had in view in fitting her out, the Board beg leave to recommend that Mr. Busby should receive gratuity of three hundred pounds sterling in addition to his salary as Mineral Surveyor.

WILLIAM STEWART.
ALEX MCLEAY.
H. DUMERESQ.
W. WEMYSS.
W. TETHGON.
Approved. --R. DARLING.

[New South Wales, Vol. 179.

J. C. LITTLETON TO R. HORTON, SECRETARY OF STATE.

Portman Square, March 22nd, 1826.

MY DEAR WILMOT,--

Mr. Lyall, who is our active New Zealander, wishes to see you. and will call on you early to-morrow morning at the Colonial Office, to submit to you a proposition relative to establishing a fort and small complement of men at New Zealand. Our hope of obtaining from Gov. a grant of an exclusive privilege being now destroyed by a refusal on the part of Huskisson, we are desirous of ascertaining whether we can expect any encouragement from your Department. I confess for my own part that in the present state of the money market in England I see no hope of success for our project. An exclusive privilege might have carried us through our difficulties; but in my judgment nothing else can, and yet our project was of real national importance.

I remain, &c,
J. E. LITTLETON.

[Church Missionary House.

REV. S. MARSDEN TO ALEX. MCLEAY AND OTHERS.

GENTLEMEN, -- Parramatta, April 25th, 1826.

I have long wished that a corresponding committee might be formed in this colony to co-operate with the Church Missionary Society in promoting the Society's benevolent intentions towards the natives of New South Wales and New Zealand. As an auxiliary C. M. S. is now established here, the parent Committee consider that this circumstance affords a fair opportunity to form a corresponding committee, and have expressed their views on this subject in one of the last communications I have received from London, which I will take the liberty to lay before you. I shall also solicit your permission

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to submit to you an epitome of the present state of the mission in New Zealand. I need not tell you what difficulties that mission has had to struggle with from those who are nominally called Christians.

Had it not been for the special protection of Divine Goodness this mission would long since have ceased to exist. I flatter myself that the great difficulties and dangers which have threatened this mission are now over, unless the number of Europeans who are now likely to take up their abode amongst the natives stir them up again. The missionaries have experienced comparatively few difficulties from the natives. The natives have generally behaved kindly to them, nor is there much danger to be apprehended from the natives in future. The evils that have affected the mission have originated from the misconduct of the Europeans, and these evils are still to be feared. From the increasing communication with New Zealand both from Europe and this colony, and from the more frequent visits the natives make to Port Jackson, render it a matter of great importance to have an efficient corresponding committee established here, to give strength, stability, and duration to the exertion of the parent Society.

At present there is none but myself in this country acquainted with the particular state of the mission, and if I should be removed before some other friends to the cause should gain the necessary knowledge of the Society's concerns, the interest of the mission might be seriously injured. A corresponding committee would watch over the interests of the Society, and greatly strengthen the hands of the parent Committee, and afford encouragement to the missionaries in New Zealand in the faithful discharge of their respective duties.

I have already mentioned my intention of laying before you a short statement of the concerns of the mission, in doing which I shall first give you the names and duties of the persons in the actual service of the mission:--

The Revd. Henry Williams and the Revd. William Williams: These gentlemen are employed in the exercise of their clerical duties; Wm. Williams has studied medicine, and also contributed to the benefit of the natives in that capacity. John King, by trade a shoemaker, is employed in teaching the natives at Rangheehoo and the neighbouring villages as a catechist. James Kemp is a smith, and acts as a storekeeper; he also teaches the natives at Kiddee Kiddee, as his time will admit, in conjunction with George Clarke, who is also a smith. Richard Davis is a farmer, and attends to agriculture and the instruction of the natives at Kowa Kowa. William Fairburn, Charles Davis, and William Pucky are carpenters, and employed gene-

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rally at their trades. Hamlin is a flax dresser and weaver. James Shepherd, no trade; he is generally employed in itinerating amongst the different tribes, instructing them in the Christian religion, as he understands the language better than any of the other missionaries. William Spikeman, herdsman. William Hall is a carpenter, and at present resides at the seminary at Parramatta, on leave of absence for the benefit of his health.

The total number of men is 13; of women, 10; and children, 36: total, 59.

Each man and woman have £20 per annum salary allowed for cloaths, wine, spirits, and other little comforts, and also a ration; £10 per annum with a ration is allowed for each child. The estimated expense of 59 men, women, and children is £28 each per annum, inclusive of everything, amounting in the whole to one thousand six hundred and fifty-two pounds. This sum will vary a little according to circumstances, but I apprehend not materially.

It may not be improper for me here to submit to you the official rules, regulations, and instructions which the parent Society have established for the government of this mission, as these documents will put you in full possession of the Society's views and intentions relative to it. I beg further to observe in 1823 I was in New Zealand; several of the missionaries' children at that time required instruction such as they could not receive in their situation. I consulted with some of their parents, to know what could be done for them to prevent their children from becoming heathenish in their principles and behaviour. It was thought that the most prudent means that could be adopted was to establish a seminary in New South Wales for them and some of the chiefs' children who might be disposed to visit Port Jackson. On my return to the colony I consulted some of my friends here, who very much approved of the proposition. I immediately wrote to the parent Society, informing the Committee what my intentions were, and without waiting for their answer began the building on my own responsibility. In due time I received the sanction Of the Society for establishing the seminary.

When the building was ready for the reception of the New Zealanders who were then living with me they removed into it, and some have continued in it ever since.

Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd and Mr. and Mrs. Hamlin resided there while they remained in the colony, and Mr. and Mrs. Hall and family are there at the present time. In the accompanying letter which I addressed to the Society, my views and intentions are more fully stated.

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The building is still my property, no part of the expense attending it has been charged to the Society, nor for the support of the New Zealanders, who from time to time resided in it. As it was a concern entirely under my own direction I was unwilling to make any demand upon the Society until the premises had been surveyed by competent judges, and some sanction given by persons of respectability in the colony for me to draw upon the treasurer of the Society for the value of the building.

Should a corresponding committee be formed, and the seminary found upon trial to answer the intended purpose, in that case I shall leave it to the option of the Society to purchase the building or to pay the colonial interest for the amount of the money that has been expended, so long as the seminary may be required for the original purpose. I shall with this view make out an account of expenses and lay them before the Committee, and the Committee may then form their own determination on the subject.

I have, &c,
SAMUEL MARSDEN.
To Alexander McLeay, Esqre.; Saxe Bannister, Esqre.; Revd. Wm. Cowper; Revd. Richard Hill.

R. TORRENS TO DOWNING STREET.

North End, Fulham, July 4th, 1826.

MY DEAR SIR,--

I enclose a copy of my letter on the subject of New Zealand, with one verbal alteration. Instead of asking for the direction of the force in the character of Commandant or Military Commissioner resident in England, I simply apply for the command of any detachment which may be ordered to New Zealand. I did not contemplate being placed at the head of a committee or commission for the colonization of New Zealand; but the shipowners having sent in a strong memorial for a protecting force in that quarter, I was desirous, in the event of the prayer of the memorial being granted, to have the selection and command of this force, because I conceived it would enable me to make preliminary arrangements which would facilitate the future colonization of these islands upon sound economical principles.

In my former letter I did not sufficiently explain why, in sending protection to New Zealand, marines should be preferred: 1st, they are by far the cheapest description of force, a fact which a reference to the public accounts will immediately establish; 2nd, when off military duty they could, from their habits, be much more serviceable to the shipping than other soldiers; 3rd, as there are several thousands of them at Plymouth, Ports-

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mouth, Chatham, and Woolwich, they afford a far more extensive range than any single regiment of the line for the selection of sober and industrious men, capable of supplying that skilled labour which is of so much value and importance in a new country.

In conclusion, I wish to be understood as having applied to be made commanding officer of any force which may be ordered to New Zealand. My situation and duties would be in no respect different from those of whatever other officer might hold the command, with the exception of my having rather more power conferred on me in selecting the officers and men; of my endeavouring, under the sanction and approval of the Colonial Office, to suggest regulations which, if it should hereafter be deemed expedient, might tend to promote an extensive colonization of New Zealand without entailing expence upon the Government; and of my remaining in England until the accomplishment of these objects, when I should resign my temporary command, abundantly rewarded in having obtained an opportunity of giving practical application to principles of colonization long ardently cherished, and recently, by my intercourse with you, brought under my consideration in a state matured and extended far beyond any previous conception of my own.

I am, &c,
R. TORRENS.
R. W. Horton, Esq., M. P.

R. TORRENS TO DOWNING STREET.

North End, Fulham, June 27th, 1826.

DEAR SIR,--

I understand that the shipowners connected with the trade and fisheries of the South Seas have presented to Earl Bathurst a very earnest memorial, praying that a small protecting force may be stationed in the Northern Island of New Zealand, and that Lord Bathurst has referred the matter to Mr. Huskisson, who has reported favourably upon it.

In the event of this force being sent to New Zealand, I should be exceedingly desirous of obtaining the command of it. I have bestowed no inconsiderable portion of attention on the subject of colonization, and I am impressed with the conviction that were I entrusted with the authority I seek I should be able to make those preliminary arrangements which, should the Island of New Zealand prove of the importance which the shipowners suppose, would allow of their being colonized on an extensive scale without entailing upon Government the heavy expenditure which new settlements have in most instances involved.

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For the purpose which the shipowners contemplate in their memorial two hundred marines would be amply sufficient, and they might be stationed in New Zealand as cheaply as they are now stationed at Portsmouth or Plymouth.

With respect to myself, I do not desire that this command should be accompanied with any extra pay, salary, or emolument whatever. My only object in this application is to have such a selection of, and such an authority over, the defensive force to be sent to New Zealand as may enable me to give practical application to those sound principles of colonization which I conceive to be of vast and growing importance to this country.

I am, &c,
R. TORRENS.
R. W. Horton, Esq., M. P.

MEMORIAL.

To the Right Honorable Earl Bathurst, K. G., His Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial Department.

THE humble memorial of the undersigned merchants, shipowners, and others interested in the South Sea fisheries, and in the trade of the South Pacific Ocean, sheweth, --

That your memorialists beg leave to state to Your Lordship that for some years past a very valuable and extensive whale and seal fishery has been carried on in the seas adjacent to the Islands of New Zealand.

That these islands, being on every side indented with secure harbours and navigable rivers, their climate being in the highest degree genial and salubrious, and their soil of extraordinary fertility, they are become of the utmost importance to the shipping engaged in those fisheries, whose crews, from the great length of the voyages, invariably require refreshments and supplies, which are found in the greatest abundance in those islands, besides that they afford the means of refit and equipment when our vessels are dismasted, or disabled by other disasters, to which, in those latitudes, they are frequently exposed. Of these inestimable advantages, however, the commanders of your memorialists' vessels are prevented availing themselves to the fullest extent, from the dangers frequently attending their intercourse with the natives, between whom and the crews of European and other vessels fatal quarrels have arisen, from the wanton outrages offered in many instances by them to the New Zealanders, who, although easily managed by good and judicious treatment, are a high-spirited and intelligent people, and extremely susceptible of injury and insults.

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That the Formium tenax, which is indigenous to these islands, and which is produced without culture in apparently exhaustless abundance, has been proved by actual experiments, made in His Majesty's dock-yards, to be superior to Petersburg hemp in strength, and at the same time to answer all the purposes of the finest flax.

That the Islands of New Zealand also abound with the finest naval timber in the world, the cowdie tree in particular (which is found on the banks of the navigable rivers) supplying spars of the largest dimensions, fit for the topmasts of ships of the line, and equal, if not superior, to those now obtained with increasing difficulty and expense from Riga and Virginia, as appears from the reports made upon them to the Commissioners of His Majesty's Navy by the commanders of the several vessels in which they have been distributed for trial.

That the natives of New Zealand are a robust and enterprizing yet docile race, and when your memorialists' vessels are deficient of hands they readily volunteer their services, and prove orderly and powerful seamen, and that at the present time there are no less than 12 New Zealand men on board one single whale-ship.

That there is already established a considerable trade amongst the Sandwich and Society Islands and the various clusters of islands in the adjacent seas, the produce of which consists of many very valuable articles well suited for the China, as well as European markets; and the natives themselves, advancing in civilization, are gradually getting more inclined to the use of our cotton and woolen goods, with many other articles of importance to the manufacturers of this country; and there is every prospect of a rapid increase in the trade with these islands, under the countenance and protection of the British Government, which could not be given so effectually from any station as from the Northern Island of New Zealand.

That the consideration of these authentic and important facts has deeply impressed your memorialists with the conviction that the Islands of New Zealand have become objects of great and growing importance not only to the individuals who may engage in the trade and fisheries of the South Seas, but also to the shipping and mercantile interest of the country at large, their position, their harbours, their climate, and their peculiar productions all concurring to render them in an especial manner eligible as a commercial station and depot for affording shelter and refreshments to our shipping, and for rendering not only our mercantile marine, but the Royal Navy, independent of Russia and of the United States of North America for these indispensable articles of naval equipment--hemp and spars.

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That under this conviction your memorialists, with great submission to Your Lordship, venture to urge the great advantage and expediency of forming a settlement in New Zealand, for which purpose they most respectfully solicit that a military force may be stationed in those islands for the security of the various British interests which are springing up therein, and which must rapidly increase under its protection.

That such a force, restrained from every attempt at conquest or aggression, and acting solely for the defence of persons and property, would be equally advantageous to the natives as to His Majesty's subjects, inasmuch as, while it secured British subjects frequenting these islands from being assailed and plundered by the natives, it would protect the latter from the insults and outrages which the crews of European vessels have sometimes perpetrated, and which have proved the occasion of exciting the natives to murderous and indiscriminate retaliation.

That a British protecting force, which several of the most intelligent chiefs have expressed a strong desire to obtain, while it gave security to persons and property, as between His Majesty's subjects and the native inhabitants, would have a powerful tendency to check that barbarous warfare which the several independent tribes are perpetually waging against each other, and would thus prove the only effectual means of introducing amongst this interesting people the peaceful pursuits of industry and the blessings of civilization and of religious and moral instruction.

That, above all, your memorialists are exceedingly desirous that the important British interests connected with New Zealand should, as soon as may be found practicable, be placed under the formal protection of His Majesty's Government, because from the information they have received there is too much reason to apprehend that the French have it in contemplation to establish themselves there, and that it would be a most invaluable colony for France, with reference to all the most important and favorite objects of her present maritime policy, no doubt can be entertained, as it is admitted by navigators and others who have visited New Zealand that any such Power in possession of its safe and capacious harbours, with the naval stores and powerful seamen which it would supply, could not fail eventually to obtain a complete ascendency in the eastern seas and South Pacific Ocean, and would obviously have the means, in any future war, not only of preventing your memorialists and the Colonies of New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land from carrying on their trade and fisheries on these coasts, but would render the security of those valuable colonies them-

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selves, and their trade and intercourse with the Mother-country, very precarious.

That your memorialists therefore earnestly solicit that the British interest in New Zealand may be placed under the protection of His Majesty's Government, and that such a military force as may be deemed adequate for this purpose be immediately stationed in these islands.

And your memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray.

Sam. Enderby & Son.
Willm. Mellish.
Hill, Bontick, & Hill.
Edward Jarvis.
Buckles, Bagster, & Buchanan.
John Chapman & Co.
L. Marjoribanks & Co.
M. D. Dowson.
Tho. Warde.
Donaldson, Wilkinson, & Co.
Rickards, Mackintosh, & Co.
Arthur Willis & Co.
Geo. W. Lyall.
Pitman, Mackillip, & Co.
Joseph Somes.
-----London, 24 April, 1826.

[Colonial Office--New South Wales, Entry Book 7.

COLONEL BATHURST TO GOVERNOR DARLING. (No. 50.)

SIR,-- Downing Street, July 16th, 1826.

I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your dispatch, No. 9, of the 4th March, accompanied by the proceedings of a Board appointed to investigate the claim of Mr. Busby 1 to remuneration for his services in recovering the Government brig Elizabeth Henrietta, which was stranded on the Island of New Zealand; and I have to approve the payment of three hundred pounds, which you had desired to be made to Mr. Busby, in consideration of the zeal which he had manifested on that occasion.

I have, &c,
BATHURST.
Lieut.-Genl. Darling.

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[New South Wales, Vol. 178.

LIEUT.-COLONEL R. CRUISE TO UNDER-SECRETARY HAY.

London, 22nd Octr., 1826, c/o of George Yuitt, Esq., No. 44 Warren Street, Fitzroy Square.

SIR,--

Having accidentally heard that Government had an idea of establishing on the coast of New Zealand a military force for the protection of the settlement formed there by the New Zealand Company, I made an offer of my services to Sir Herbert Taylor, who desired me to present myself at the Colonial Office.

I had a conversation yesterday with Mr. Wilmot Horton, who referred me to you; but as I am obliged to go to the Continent for the winter, may I beg you to signify to Lord Bathurst that my visit to New Zealand in 1820 [the journal of which was afterwards published] interested me so much in the fate of that part of the world that should His Lordship require the services of an officer of my rank either at New Zealand or in any of the colonies in the Southern Hemisphere, I shall consider myself highly honoured by being employed.

I have, &c,
RT. CRUISE,
Lt.-Colonel (unattached).
To Robert W. Hay, Esqr., &c, &c.

[Wesleyan Mission House.

REV. N. TURNER TO SECRETARIES, WESLEYAN SOCIETY.

Sydney, New South Wales, February 10th, 1827. REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--

I just write to inform you that by the mercy of God we are safely arrived here. In the Bay of Islands I wrote you at some length, giving you the particulars of our afflicted and trying situation, and of my intention to sail for the colony with my family immediately. At the time I wrote to you, it was thought best for my brethren to remain with the friends of the Church Mission in New Zealand untill they heard from the colony; but it was afterwards thought by all that they ought to proceed with me without delay.

We have been 13 days on our passage, and upon the whole our voyage has been agreeable, considering the characters with whom we sailed. Time will not now allow me to give you any particulars relative to our voyage, &c, &c. And you will not be surprised when I inform you that I feel almost incapable of writing or anything else, from the powerful effect that our late distressing affairs have had upon my mind. I hope, however, now soon to get my strength, both of body and mind, renewed.

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Our brethren and all friends here sincerely sympathize with us, and think we have done perfectly right in coming to the colony. As it is likely that another vessel will shortly be sailing for England, I shall endeavour to write you therefore more particularly by her.

Hoping to be guided by unerring Providence in my future path, and begging an interest in your prayers,

I remain, &c,
NATHANIEL TURNER.
To the Secretaries of the Missionary Society, London.

Feb. 24.

[Church Missionary House.

REV. S. MARSDEN TO REV. D. COATES.

Dear SIR, -- Parramatta, 24th Feb., 1827.

Before this reaches you you will have heard that the Wesleyan missionaries have left their station in Wangoroa, and returned to this colony, on account of some civil commotions which have occurred amongst the natives. They have suffered the spoiling of their goods, but no personal injury. I have not heard the real cause of the late disturbance amongst the natives. The following is one account: Shungee has lately suffered very great personal as well as family afflictions; some of his own tribe have behaved ill to him, in taking one of his favourite wives; his oldest son was shot in war; a near relation hung himself; his daughter died; and other heavy calamities came upon him: in consequence of which he resolved to leave his tribe, at least that part which he was not upon good terms with. As Wangoroa originally belonged to his father, he determined to go and reside there. If the inhabitants would allow him to take quiet possession of a portion he wanted, he would not disturb them, but if they refused he would take it by force. The natives did refuse to give up the land. Shungee then went to war. He was shot thro', near his shoulder, as we hear, but not killed, and gained a victory. Part of Shungee's people plundered the missionaries, and destroyed their premises, when the missionaries now came away, being greatly alarmed. The following circumstance occurred at or near the same time at the Bay of Islands: The brig Wellington had been sent from Port Jackson with 65 fellons to Norfolk Island. The sentence of death had been recorded against many of these men for crimes committed in the colony. The fellons took the Wellington, and carried her into the Bay of Islands, when 45 of these fellons landed, and got amongst the natives, which alarmed our missionaries. The Sisters, a whaler, made an attack upon the

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Wellington and retook her, and the natives delivered up the 45 who were on shore, when they were all brought to Port Jackson. Some of them have been tried, and are now under sentence of death. The Sisters came with them. As soon as I received the missionaries' letters, and saw the Wesleyan missionaries, I determined upon going to New Zealand as soon as possible, in order to arrange the concerns of the mission, see the chiefs, and settle their disputes as far as I could. The missionaries have sent up several tons of their goods to Port Jackson in the Sisters, from the alarm they were in at the time the Sisters was there.

It was my intention to have gone in the Sisters; but while I was thinking upon it, His Majesty's ship of war the Rainbow came in, and will sail soon for New Zealand. I immediately applied to the Capn., the Hon. Rous, for a passage, who accommodated me immediately. On obtaining a passage I wrote to the Archdeacon and the Govr. for leave of absence, which was readily granted. I am not under any apprehensions for the personal safety of the missionaries at the same time, there are many important considerations which induce me to visit them at this time. I want to point out to the natives the greatness of their crimes in robbing the Wesleyan missionaries; to learn from the chiefs what security they will afford to the persons and property of the missionaries; what further civil commotions are likely to take place; and how they may be prevented; to rectify some hasty opinions which appear to have been formed amongst the missionaries relative to forming a colony of New Zealanders in N. S. W. (this subject requires great consideration before any movement is made, unless the state of New Zealand should be such that the missionaries could remain no longer in safety, which in my judgment is not likely to happen).... Mr. Norman and also Mr. Lisk will both remain in the colony until my return. The committee will then determine their station and employment, agreeable to the instructions received from the parent Committee. Before the present disturbance the prospect of success in the mission was very gratifying. Peace and union of spirit prevailed amongst the body. The Revd. Wm. Williams is a man of rare talent, piety, zeal, and Christian wisdom, and promises to do much. His heart is in the work, and so is his brother's. Their wives are both devoted to the work, and most amiable and valuable women.

The mission has now been established about 13 years, and no man, woman, or child who were sent out to the work has died or had a bone broken, tho' living in the midst of cannibals.

I remain, &c,
SAML. MARSDEN.
D. Coates, Esq.

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[Wesleyan Mission House.

REV. N. TURNER TO SECRETARIES, WESLEYAN MISSION.

Parramatta, March 8th, 1827.

DEAR FATHERS AND BRETHREN,--

It is with no small degree of diffidence I proceed to address you on a subject which to me is of the greatest importance.

After three years and six months' residence amongst the heathen of New Zealand I am fully satisfied that I shall never acquire their language, and the principle reason is because I have little or no natural talent for such an undertaking. The same opinion is entertained by my two brethren who have lived and laboured with me ever since I went down to New Zealand. This they have publicly given as their opinion in the presence of our brethren labouring in Sydney, who, I expect, will write you on the subject. The same sentiment is entertained by some of my most sincere friends of the church establishment in the Bay of Islands, who assured me before I left for the colony it was their opinion that it would be wrong for me to return again amongst the heathen, for the reason above stated.

It is therefore my sincere wish and fervent prayer that you would allow and appoint me to labour as an English preacher in some part of the New South Wales District.

There is another reason which is to me of some importance, though I feel some reluctance in mentioning it, viz., the enfeebled constitution of my wife. The various exercises, trials, and labours through which she has had to pass have so reduced her frame and enervated her system that I have too good reason to believe she will never be able to endure that which will unavoidably be her portion if we are again appointed to labour amongst the heathen. It is indeed a great consolation to me to be blessed with a partner who possesses a truly missionary spirit and who would willingly live and die amongst the heathen, yet, if I may be allowed to judge from past experience, I am satisfied that her life amongst savages will be but little better than a lingering death.

I trust that you will not consider my wish to be appointed to labour in the colonies as an English preacher as the effects of our late calamities. No. It has long been a growing conviction with me that I should never be an efficient missionary amongst the heathen. Previous to our late distresses I had intended, after the arrival of Bro. White, to write you on the same subject, and to request the same favour from you.

As a secular man I might be of considerable service in New Zealand or any such station, but I am satisfied my fathers and brethren do not wish me to labour amongst the heathen in such

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a capacity, nor could I be contented so to do, for I should ever have the conviction I was not doing the work appointed me of Heaven.

Hitherto I hope I have endeavoured to prove myself worthy the confidence you placed in me, and by the grace of God I still intend so to do, and shall, I believe, be willing to go back to New Zealand, or to any other heathen station which you may think well to appoint me unto. Still, I must say, that with my present views and feelings, I shall go to such a station with a full conviction that I am not going according to the will of Heaven.

Dear fathers and brethren, hoping and believing that you will favourably regard my request, I shall patiently wait an answer from you,

And remain, &c,
NATHANIEL TURNER.
To the Secretaries of the Wesleyan Missionary Society.

March 13.

[New South Wales, Vol 181.

GOVERNOR DARLING TO EARL BATHURST. (No. 41.)

MY LORD, -- Government House, 13th March, 1827.

I do myself the honor to transmit to your Lordship copy of a petition from Mr. Robert Duke, master of the ship Sisters, by whom the brig Wellington, which had been piratically seized by the prisoners of the Crown in their passage to Norfolk Island, was recaptured, praying for remuneration on the part of himself, the owners, and crew of the said ship in consequence of the loss which they sustained in being prevented from prosecuting the object of their voyage.

Being myself unable to determine what would be a reasonable allowance in such a case, I availed myself of the presence of the Honble. Captain Rous and Captain Wetherall, of His Majesty's Navy, and requested they would meet Mr. Jones, a respectable merchant of Sydney who is engaged in the whale fishery, and consider the remuneration to which the persons concerned in the Sisters might be entitled.

I have now the honor to forward a copy of the report of these gentlemen, by which it will be seen they are of opinion that £1,800 will be a sufficient remuneration for the time lost by the Sisters, and for the salvage of the hull and cargo of the brig Wellington, to which they may be considered asking a claim.

I have informed Captain Duke that, instead of settling his claim here, I should refer the report and his petition for Your Lordship's consideration, in order that such remuneration as might be determined on should be paid to the owners at Home.

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I beg leave to add that, having represented that he required an advance of £300 to provide the necessary supplies for his voyage, I have authorized that sum to be issued on account of his claim, and I have further directed him to be supplied with 524 lbs. of gunpowder and three musquets to replace the issue of those articles to the natives at New Zealand as rewards for apprehending and delivering up the pirates who had absconded.

I have, &c,
R. DARLING.
The Right Honble. the Earl Bathurst, K. G.

[New South Wales, Vol. 181. [Enclosure No. 1.]

MEMORIAL.

To His Excellency Lieutenant General Ralph Darling, Governor-in-Chief, &c, &c.

THE humble petition of Robert Duke, master of the ship Sisters, of the Port of London, sheweth, --

That the ship Sisters was fitted out for the southern whale fishery, and sailed from London on the first of January, 1826, and on the 26th December last she went into the Bay of Islands, in New Zealand, for the purpose of refitting for the whaling season, then about to commence, at which place your petitioner found the ship Harriat, whaler, undergoing some repairs.

That on Friday, the fifth day of January, a brig came into the harbour which your petitioner immediately recognized to he the ship Wellington, belonging to Mr. Joseph Underwood, he having before seen her in this port; your petitioner accordingly proceeded on board, when he was informed that she was proceeding with troops to make a settlement in the River Thames, in New Zealand.

That your petitioner, from many circumstances, suspected the truth of this statement, and after some correspondence discovered that she had left this colony with prisoners bound for Norfolk Island, and that they had captured her on the voyage, on which your petitioner, with the concurrence of Mr. Clark, the master of the Harriat, and the missionaries, made preparations for retaking her, which object was accomplished on Sunday the eleventh, when your petitioner extricated the military guard from imprisonment, and took measures for the general security of the vessel, and for the apprehension of such of the prisoners as had escaped into the woods of New Zealand.

That the whole of the prisoners, with the exception of five persons, having been retaken, your petitioner, at the request of Mr. Harewood, the master of the brig Wellington, received into

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the ship Sisters thirty-two of the prisoners, and on the 28th January proceeded from New Zealand, in company with the brig Wellington (which vessel had on hoard twenty-seven of the prisoners), to this port, where she arrived on the 9th February instant.

That your petitioner begs to submit to Your Excellency the statement contained in the log-book of the ship Sisters, and also your petitioner's private log, and entreat that Your Excellency will afford to your petitioner an opportunity of offering the testimony of the master and passengers of the brig Wellington and other persons respecting the transaction as to Your Excellency may seem meet.

That your petitioner, in proceeding to this port, was compelled to quit the whaling station at New Zealand at the commencement of the season, and which will be over before the return of your petitioner to that or any other whaling station, and that your petitioner, in proceeding to this port, has occasioned a deviation in the voyage of the ship Sisters that will make it necessary to effect a fresh insurance on the vessel.

Your petitioner therefore humbly prays that Your Excellency will take your petitioner's case into consideration, and that Your Excellency will make your petitioner such allowance on behalf of himself and the owners and the crew of the said ship Sisters for the losses sustained by them as to Your Excellency may seem meet.

And your petitioner will ever pray.
ROBERT DUKE.
Sydney, New- South Wales, 19th February, 1827.

[New South Wales, Vol. 181. [Enclosure No. 2.]

H. J. ROUS AND OTHERS TO THE COLONIAL SECRETARY.

SIR,-- Sydney, 24th February, 1827.

In answer to your letter of the 23rd instant, transmitting us the petition of Mr. Robert Duke, master of the ship Sisters, and His Excellency's desire that we should estimate and report the sums to which Mr. Duke, the owners and crew of the vessel under his command, are equitably entitled to for the capture of the brig Wellington, piratically seized by convicts in her passage from here to Norfolk Island, we are of opinion that the sum of one thousand eight hundred pounds will cover the salvage of the hull and cargo of the said brig Wellington, and remunerate the master, owners, and crew for their loss of time

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and the amount of cargo which during the space of three months they would have procured had they remained on the fishery.

We have, &c,
HENRY JOHN ROUS, Captn., H. M. S. Rainbow.
F. A. WETHERALL, Captn., H. M. S. Fly.
RICHARD JONES, Merchant, Sydney.
The Honble. A. McLeay, Esqr.

[New South Wales, Vol. 186.

REV. D. COATES TO VISCOUNT GODERICH.

Church Missionary House, Salisbury Square, May 31, 1827.

MY LORD,--

I am directed by the Committee of the Church Missionary Society respectfully to request that Your Lordship will have the kindness to grant passages to New South Wales to the Rev. William Yate and Mr. Charles Baker and Mrs. Baker on board the Sovereign or the John (convict ship), both of which the Committee are informed have been taken up by His Majesty's Government, and are likely to sail f[rom] the river about the middle of June. The Rev. Wm. Yate is proceeding as a missionary from the Church Missionary Society to New Zealand, and Mr. Baker is going out in the same mission in the capacity of a catechist. Should Your Lordship approve of it, Mr. Yate will very gladly perform the duties of chaplain during the voyage.

I am also directed to request a grant of tonnage for twenty tons of stores for the use of the Church Missionary Society's mission in New Zealand on board the same ship in which Mr. Yate and Mr. Baker may go out. The stores in question are designed exclusively for the objects of the mission.

I have, &c,
DANDESON COATES, Asst. Sec, C. M. S.
The Right Honourable Lord Viscount Goderich, &c, &c.

[New South Wales, Vol. 186.

THE NAVY COMMISSIONER TO SECRETARY HAY.

SIR,-- Navy Office, 6th June, 1827.

In return to your letter of the 31st ultimo, transmitting a proposal from Colonel Torrens for facilitating the emigration of families to New South Wales, we have to offer the following observations for Viscount Goderich's consideration:--

The quality of the cowdie spars procured in New Zealand is such as to render them exceedingly desirable for naval pur-

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poses, and we think they are equal, if not superior, to those of Russia or America, but we have been deterred from following this source of supply on account of the expense attending it, for although we adopted, in a great measure, the plan now suggested by Colonel Torrens, but on a less extravagant scale, it was found that the cost of masts so procured was much beyond those of an excellent quality which we have since imported from Virginia.

The cowdie spars from New Zealand of a size suitable to naval purposes are by no means in abundance, and are not found in the neighbourhood of the harbours, so that the toil and difficulty in procuring them, and transporting them to the ship, is immense, and the two ships we sent out were detained ten and twelve months in procuring for the one ship a cargo of ninety eight, and for the other of one hundred and five masts.

Our object in the equipment of the two large store-ships in question was to procure these large masts at New Zealand, and, in order to diminish the expense of the undertaking, the ships were first employed to carry convicts to New South Wales; but, notwithstanding this set off against the expense of the ships (for we must otherwise have procured convict ships), the masts cost at least £50 per cent, more than those from Virginia.

Colonel Torrens proposes that the ship, having on board one hundred families, estimated at five in each family, besides the crew, should touch at New Zealand on the voyage to New South Wales, in order to have the labour of the emigrants in procuring the masts. We apprehend it is scarcely necessary to trouble His Lordship with an observation upon so impracticable a proposition, it being evident that a ship already filled with human beings does not admit of being also filled with a cargo of spars; besides which it is of the first importance that a ship so crowded should meet with the least possible delay in reaching her destination, in order to prevent sickness; and we cannot make ourselves accessary to the hazard attending the confinement of so many persons in a transport for not less than three quarters of a year by recommending this measure, even if it were practicable, to take in a cargo of spars while the emigrants remain in the ship.

It may be proper to observe that, according to the report of those persons whom we employed in our store-ships, the natives of New Zealand are exceedingly apprehensive that their island will be taken possession of by the English, and the arrival of a ship with so many people would, we fear, excite unfriendly feelings, and probably disappoint the expectations held out by Colonel Torrens.

In procuring naval stores it is necessary to use the utmost economy, and to secure punctuality in the delivery, neither

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of which is likely to result from the measure in question; and His Lordship is well aware that the grants for the naval service do not admit of payment for casual supplies of stores beyond such as are contracted for in each year; we may indeed truly say that the estimates of the navy are so curtailed as to occasion great difficulty in providing for the common wants of the service.

The mode of paying for masts and hemp from New Zealand by granting navy bills to bear an interest of £4 per cent., as recommended by Colonel Torrens, might prevent the inconvenience of an immediate payment, but such a mode cannot be adopted without a special Act of Parliament, as the law forbids our issuing bills bearing an interest.

We have not had the same proof of the quality of the hemp of New Zealand as of the spars, but the report of its quality, as far as our experiments have gone, is satisfactory.

We are, &c,
RT. SEPPINGS.
H. LEGGE.

J. M. LEWIS.
R. W. Hay, Esqre.

[New South Wales, Vol. 189.

ROBERT TORRENS TO UNDER-SECRETARY HORTON.

SIR,-- June 14th, 1827.

Having perused with great attention the substance of the report of the Navy Board upon the plan of emigration to New South Wales which I had the honor to propose, I request permission to make a few observations upon that report.

In the plan proposed, the expence of the emigration was to be mainly defrayed by collecting and preparing the hemp which is indigenous in the Islands of New Zealand, and which, by the contracts of the Navy Board, would be worth £40 per ton when brought to this country. It was proposed, indeed, to bring home cowdie spars, but it is obvious that this proposal was added not as the most eligible mode of defraying the expense of the emigration, but for the national object of securing an important article of naval equipment independently of Russia and of the United States.

A transport of 500 tons would bring home a cargo of New Zealand flax worth £20,000, and a cargo of New Zealand spars worth no more than £8,500. If the expence of the emigration could be defrayed by one cargo of flax and one of spars it would be much more than defrayed by rejecting the spars altogether, and lading both transports with the flax. The grounds which the report of the Navy Board assigns for not recommending

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this plan are precisely those which, if we confine out view to the replacing of the expence of locating the emigrants in New South Wales, would go to shew that the plan would prove more decidedly beneficial than even its calculations have set forth.

From information subsequently received from a part of New Zealand not visited by the storeships of the Navy Board, I am convinced that the objections urged by the Board on account of the difficulty of procuring cowdie spars would now be found to be invalid. But it is unnecessary to examine these objections in detail, because, by rejecting the cowdie spars altogether, and lading the transports only with the native flax, the plan, considered as a scheme for defraying the expence of emigration, would be rendered more efficient.

The Commissioners state that the report of the quality of the hemp of New Zealand, so far as their experiments have gone, is satisfactory. This, I conceive, is quite sufficient to establish the propriety and expediency of giving at least a trial to the plan of emigration which I have had the honor to submit. The Phormium tenax, which the satisfactory experiments here referred to have proved to be equal to the finest Russian hemp, grows without culture, and in great profusion throughout the Islands of New Zealand. Under such circumstances, can there exist any reasonable doubt that one hundred Scotch or Irish families familiar with the process of preparing flax would, within a moderate time, load one transport of 500 tons with the New Zealand flax? Now, this single cargo, at the contract prices paid by the Navy Board, would be worth £20,000; that is, would replace the whole expence of locating one hundred families in New South Wales.

The Commissioners observe that the natives are exceedingly apprehensive of the English taking possession of their island, and that the arrival of a ship with so many people would excite unfriendly feelings, and operate to defeat the object in view. In reply to this objection it is sufficient to state the fact that when, as frequently happens, several British whalers arrive at the same time in a New Zealand port no alarm or unfriendly feeling is excited in the natives. Whatever vague apprehensions may now exist amongst them of the English taking possession of their islands, instead of being excited, would be altogether removed, as experience convinced them that no usurpation was contemplated, and that the emigrants came and departed for purposes purely commercial.

The Commissioners state that the proposition that the ships should proceed to New Zealand with the emigrants would not be desirable, inasmuch as the length of the voyage, and the long confinement of the passengers, would inevitably endanger their

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health. This objection proceeds from a misconception of the plan. The voyage to New Zealand is not longer than that to New South Wales; it is not intended to confine the emigrants on board during the stay of the vessels; on the contrary, the object is to employ them on shore to collect and clean a cargo of the native flax. It is not possible to conceive that this easy employment, performed under one of the most salubrious climates of the world, and while supplied abundantly with potatoes, fresh pork, and fish, could endanger the health of the emigrants. On the contrary, they would be refreshed by their short residence in New Zealand, and would arrive at their destination in better condition than if they had made a direct voyage to New South Wales.

In conclusion, I beg to say that after having given my best consideration to the report of the Navy Board, I feel a more decided conviction of the practicability and efficacy of the plan of emigration which I have had the honor to propose. Nothing can reasonably be feared, either on account of the disposition of the natives or for the health of the emigrants; and by admitting the objections of the Board with respect to the difficulty of procuring cowdie spars, and confining the labour of the emigrants to lading the transports with the native flax, the replacement of the expence of their emigrating would be rendered perfectly easy and certain.

I have, &c,
ROBERT TORRENS.
The Right Hon. R. Wilmot Horton, M. P., &c, &c.

[New South Wales, Vol. 180.

SECRETARY, NAVY BOARD, TO SECRETARY HAY.

MY DEAR SIR,-- Navy Office, June 19th, 1827.

I have read the letter addressed to you by Colonel Torrens, dated the 14th instant, and reconsidered every point adverted to in our official report, and the more I think of the plan the more I am convinced that persons of a less sanguine disposition than the Colonel will at once see that our objections are reasonable and well founded, and, indeed, I should say unanswerable except as answered by Colonel Torrens -- namely, that "the grounds which the report of the N. Board assigns for not recommending this plan are precisely those which would go to shew that the plan would prove more decidedly beneficial than even its calculations have set forth." I make no comment upon this, but simply assure you that I would readily and heartily assist the zeal and good intentions of Colonel Torrens if I could do so with propriety and fairness to the public service, but as

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the facts stand I must entreat that the stinted grants for naval purposes may not be subject in any degree to so speculative and unsound a proposition.

Colonel Torrens certainly contrives, for a time, to get rid of the objection to the confinement of the emigrants to the ship during her stay at New Zealand by proposing to employ them on shore in collecting and cleaning the hemp, but he does not state, even supposing the successful efforts of these unsheltered labourers on a savage island, how, after loading the ship with hemp and spars, any space is to be found for 500 persons on the ship's voyage to N. S. Wales on her return to England.

Colonel Torrens thinks the easy employment assigned to the emigrants during their stay at New Zealand would tend to refresh them, and enable them to reach their destination in a better condition than if they had made a direct voyage to N. S. Wales, particularly as he says the climate is the most salubrious in the world; but a person now at my elbow who was there a whole year declares he never was in any climate where the rain was so heavy and so frequent.

I am, &c,
T. B. MARTIN.

P. S. --I need scarcely call to yr. recollection that there will be a large proportion of women and children to be landed at N. Zealand, and I should think their condition would be truly pitiable.

[Church Missionary Society.

REV. S. MARSDEN TO REV. E. BICKERSTETH.

Parramatta, 12th Novr., 1827.

REVD. AND DEAR SIR,--

My colleague the Revd. R. Hill will transmit to you the several documents relative to the concerns of the mission. With respect to Mr. Lisk, he has not been able to remove from Sydney, on account of the indisposition of Mrs. Lisk. She was obliged to remain there for medical assistance; and I fear she will never recover her health, so that we are at a loss to know what to do with Mr. Lisk. We must wait a little longer, and see whether Mrs. Lisk can remove or not. Mr. Norman informs me he is much better. He is in a very important station, and a prudent pious man. Mrs. Norman has had a cancer in her breast, and has undergone an operation for it, and is doing well. I trust the Society will approve of our sending Mr. and Mrs. Norman to Van Diemen's Land. We considered the weak state of Mrs. Norman did not warrant us in sending him to New Zealand. We have had a communication with the

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Colonial Government relative to the 10,000 acres of land for the aborigines. According to the instruction transmitted from the Colonial Office this land was to be located under similar conditions that 10,000 acres had been promised to the London Missy. Society. I beg to remark that there is one clause in the grant to the London M. S. which clause I severely object to its being put into the grant to the C. M. Society. I told the Colonial Secretary if the same clause was put into the intended grant it would not be worth acceptance. The clause to which I allude prevents the Society from allowing any individuals to feed their cattle and sheep on this land, or to make any use of it but for the natives. Instead of this clause the trustees should be authorised to rent any part of it for grazing, or any other purposes of agriculture, to raise a fund for clothing and victualling the aborigines, and to support a missionary and his family. Unless Government grant it upon this just and liberal principle it will be of no benefit. In this opinion the Colonial Secretary, Mr. McLeay, fully agreed. I have not seen the Governor since upon this point. We all fully agree with your Committee that the trustees of the land should be in England, for many reasons which I need not explain; but they should have power to rent it, so long as the produce of the land, whether from feeding cattle or sheep, &c, is applied to the sole benefit of the aborigines. It can be of no advantage to possess land, unless it can be made use of. I think the Governor will see the propriety of omitting the clause objected to, when he makes the grant.

There is another circumstance which I wish to mention. The Revd. Mr. Threkeld, missionary from the London M. S., has lately left Lake Macquarie, that station which had been fixed upon by the late deputation from that Society to establish a mission for the aborigines, and where the 10,000 acres were selected for their grant. That mission has been attended with more expense than the directors approve. I think it is more than probable that this mission will be relinquished. You are already acquainted with the wishes of some of the New Zealand chiefs to emigrate with their families to N. S. Wales. Should the London Missionary Society relinquish Lake Macquarie and the chiefs of New Zealand come over to this colony, this lake would probably be a suitable station for their settlement, as the lake abounds with fish, and has a communication with the sea. I have not seen the land, and therefore cannot judge of its quality, but as the New Zealanders live much upon fish, in that respect it would be a very desirable spot. I merely mention the subject to you, and have mentioned it to Mr. Hankey in a postscript of my letter to him. The directors have authorised the disposal of the improvements made upon the land; but they can give

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no title, and therefore the property cannot he sold, unless an establishment is formed there....

I am happy to say we go on here very quietly now. Some of my bitter enemies have sunk into great contempt. Divine Providence is requiting their works upon their own heads.... From falsehood, misrepresentation, and powerful interest exerted against me to save individuals from public disgrace Lord Bathurst was so far imposed upon as to write a stray letter to General Darling expressive of his high disapprobation of my conduct. Had I been guilty of what His Lordship had been led to believe I should have merited his censure; but as I was not, and this is well known to the present Govt., it has produced no effect to my prejudice. The Archdeacon and I have been upon very friendly terms: he has been much annoyed and complained of at the Colonial Office from the same influence that I suffered from. I am much mistaken if Mr. James Stephen, in the Colonial Office, has not been deceived by some of my calumniators.

I remain, &c,
SAML. MARSDEN.
Rev. Ed. Bickersteth.

[New South Wales, Vol. 197.

AN ANONYMOUS LETTER.

SIR, -- Pauls Wharf, April, 1828.

I have to request you will pardon my intruding some crude ideas on the subject of an emigration to New Zealand in preference to any other part of the world from the small expense at which colonies could be established there, besides many other important advantages which would be derived from colonizing that island.

I have no interest in any way whatever in now once more troubling you on this subject. I believe it is very generally admitted that the Islands of New Zealand are the best in the South Pacific Ocean, in soil, climate, timber, trees, rivers, and in a population of intelligent natives, brave, active, and, I believe, partial to the English, and many of the minor chiefs wishing to put themselves under the protection of Great Britain. The natives are an enterprising and powerful race of people, fond of the sea, and numbers of them going out in English whalers for one or more voyages. One whaler had 12 New Zealanders, and we have some who have been three or four years in our ships who behave themselves perfectly to our satisfaction.

I confess I feel considerable anxiety into whose hands New Zealand will be placed, as I am satisfied that the possession of the Islands of New Zealand by Great Britain, France, or Ame-

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rica will give that Power the command of the South Pacific, and if in the hands of either of the latter Powers will soon disturb the peace of our colonies in New Holland. If we colonize New Zealand we shall be able to keep our convict colonies under some controul, and it will be impossible (or improbable) for any naval Power to send any expedition to trouble New Holland or New Zealand. If France takes possession of New Zealand, which she appears dispos'd to do, from the number of her cruizers which we see by the public papers are continually visiting all parts of that ocean, it will be almost impossible to retain for any length of time New South Wales as a colony, as it would be a great object with France to cripple so large a British colony, so full of bad dispos'd and combustible a population, and so near to their colony in New Zealand. France would upon all occasions endeavour to keep alive all disaffection, and with such materials to work upon they would find no difficulty in making the colony miserable. France, with the disposal of the effective population of N. Zealand for becoming useful as seamen, would, in the event of a war with G. Britain, capture all the whaling and trading ships outward or homeward bound from New South Wales, as they must pass N. Zealand in their voyages to or from New Holland, without their passages are much lengthened by going through Torres Straits.

When a colony was first sent out to New South Wales it was attended with an expence far beyond any possibility of calculating. The direct passage out and home of transports to the colony is 10 months. It took several years, by trials of livestock from Europe, Rio Janeiro, Cape of Good Hope, Batavia, and allmost from all our settlements in India, to find out which improv'd in New So. Wales. The same in trying all sorts of grain, seeds, vegetables, fruit-trees, poultry, &c, &c. By degrees, but at an immense expence by death of live-stock and failure in many articles, they at length succeeded in having every article and live-stock which all thrive in New South Wales.

New Zealand is about 7 to 10 days run from Port Jackson; that the expense of sending live-stock and the risk of death must be small, and both islands being in the same latitude, there can be no doubt of every thing thriving at New Zealand as well as they do at New So. Wales. All the above advantages must be most beneficial to those who intend to settle in New Zealand, and I think that many of the respectable settlers at Port Jackson will be glad to purchase land in New Zealand, and have a farm there, in case any insurrection of convicts should at any time take place; but if convicts are sent there, or allowed to go there, that description of settlers would soon create dissensions with the natives, and end in a war of extermination to

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one party. If the respectable settlers go to New Zealand many of the small chiefs will he glad to part with their land on terms on being admitted within what may be called protected missionary districts.

By establishing any number of districts, or by any other name of description, or as protecting districts along the coast at certain distances, which would not allow room for any foreigners to settle, and as missionaries they can settle all places or islands without giving just cause for jealousy, as it will not appear to be a Government or national settlement, but to be visited as heretofore by H. M. cruizers which visit those ports.

I am quite satisfied that a British settlement in New Zealand will be the greatest protection to our settlement from foreign attack or the internal rising up of the convicts in New S. Wales.

I am quite ashamed of having taken up so much of your time, and writing so decidedly on a subject of which I can know so little.

I have, &c,
[Unsigned.]

[NOTE. --Apparently addressed to the Under-Secretary of the Colonial Office.]

JOHN CROKER TO UNDER-SECRETARY TWISS.

SIR,-- Admiralty Office, 2nd Sep., 1828.

I am commanded by His Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral to transmit to you the accompanying copy of a letter from Mr. Samuel Curtis, recommending the culture of New Zealand flax for the use of the Royal Navy, together with a copy of a report from the Navy Board on the flax, - and I am to request you will lay the same before the Secretary, Sir George Murray.

I am, &c,
JOHN CROKER. 2
H. Twiss, Esq.

NAVY BOARD TO JOHN CROKER.

SIR,-- Navy Office, 30th August, 1828.

We return Mr. Curtis's letter (referred to us on the 12th instant), respecting the cultivation of the New Zealand flax, and we beg to state, for the information of H. R. H. the Lord High Admiral, that we have frequently had this subject under our consideration, and that there is no doubt, from the result of trials made at Woolwich and Chatham in the years 1821 and 1822, as well as on board the Wellesley at a subsequent period,

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of which we received a report from the captain in February, 1827, that both the hemp and flax of the growth of New Zealand are equal in quality to the same articles imported from Russia.

The question, however, raised by Mr. Curtis--namely, the extensive cultivation of these articles--has also already been well considered by us, in consequence of a letter from Viscount Goderick, to whom, on the 27th May, 1827, the Emigration Committee submitted a plan for the accomplishment of this object, but as in procuring naval stores it is necessary to use the utmost economy and to secure punctuality in the delivery, neither of which we conceived likely to result from the proposed measure, we felt it expedient to withhold our concurrence therein, and we see no reason now to induce us to alter our opinion.

We therefore request you will submit to H. R. H. that the vast expense which the cultivation on an extensive scale must occasion, the uncertainty of the crops, and the delay and difficulty which must necessarily attend the importation of hemp and flax from so distant a source as New Zealand, when they can be readily obtained both from the Baltic and from Italy, are circumstances which we presume will be considered sufficient with the reasons before mentioned to render it wholly unadvisable for the Naval Department to give countenance to Mr. Curtis's project.

We are, &c,
T. TUCKER.
R. MIDDLETON.
J. W. LEWES.
The Right Hon. G. W. Croker.

S. CURTIS TO THE LORD HIGH ADMIRAL.

SIR,-- Glazenwood Nest, Coggeshall, 25 July, 1828.

In a conversation with the Revd. Mr. Page, the brother of Admiral Page, on the subject of the New Zealand flax, at his suggestion I promised to lay before Your Royal Highness a few remarks on it, with a view of bringing it into extensive culture for the navy of this Kingdom.

The plant is the Phormium tenax, or New Zealand flax, not uncommon in our collections of exotic plants, although not hardy enough to bear our severest winters. It would not be worth the expense of cultivating a half hardy plant on so extensive a scale (as it must be to be useful) in the most temperate parts of Great Britain, where land and labour would be too valuable, but it might nevertheless be advantageous to cultivate it on a scale sufficient for trying experiments as to the best mode of cleaning the fibre suitable for cordage and canvass.

In hemp and flax, the plants now in use, the stem only is used, in this plant the leaf; consequently there is ligneous and

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much extraneous matter to separate from the former, whilst nothing but the coating and the parenchyma or flesh-part of the leaf is to be separated from the latter; and whether this would be best effected by water entering, drying and brackleing, I need not give an opinion.

The plant thrives luxuriantly in the moist grounds of New Holland, making foliage about four feet long, which, being produced in the form of a fan, a few leaves on each side may be torn off annually without material injury to it.

The women of New Zealand, ignorant of any better mode, fix the end of the leaf betwixt their toes, and scrape the outside and fleshy part away with mupel shells near a stream, washing the fibre, which is dried and tied in hanks, like the sample sent, and made into mats and clothing.

I beg to suggest for Your Royal Highness's consideration whether a plant of such easy culture in a climate where land and labour is cheap would not be of national importance, and whether the convicts of New Holland could not be most advantageously employed in producing an article very much superior to any European hemp.

I beg Your Royal Highness will believe I only take the liberty of troubling you on the presumption of its being a public good, and that Your Royal Highness, in your zeal for promoting the best interests of the country, would cause enquiry to be made into an affair of so much importance.

I am, &c,
SAMUEL CURTIS.
To His Royal Highness the Lord High Admiral.

LETTER FROM GOVERNOR DARLING TO SIR G. MURRAY.

New South Wales Government House, 4th Jany., 1829.

SIR,--

I do myself the honor to transmit herewith a letter addressed to you by Mr. Thomas Raine, merchant of Sydney, on the subject of registering a vessel at this port which was built at New Zealand.

Mr. Raine has stated the case so fully in the enclosed letter that I am not aware, sir, I can add anything which would be useful on the subject. I beg, however, to express my opinion that in a political point of view it appears highly desirable that Mr. Raine, and such persons as are disposed to form establishments at New Zealand, should receive every possible encouragement. The intercourse which would take place between our people and the natives would tend more than anything else

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to the civilization of the New Zealanders, and promote a friendly understanding which at some future period may be of importance.

I beg to enclose the opinion of the Crown lawyers of this Government, that the vessel in question could not legally receive a register at this port.

I have, &c,
R. DARLING.
The Right Honble. Sir Geo. Murray, G. C. B., &c, &c.

[Enclosure.]

THOMAS RAINE TO SIR GEORGE MURRAY, G. C. B.

SIR,-- Sydney, Jany. 3, 1829.

Under the full impression that the Islands of New Zealand were a dependency of this colony, I, about two years ago, formed an establishment on the north-west part of the Northern Island, at a place called E. O. Kianga [Hokianga], which has now risen in consequence to a place of some consideration. With such views and impressions I have built two vessels, one called the Enterprise, and the other the New Zealander. The former, on her arrival, I obtained a register for; that vessel has since been unfortunately wrecked on the coast of New Zealand.

The New Zealander, a brigantine of 140 tons, arrived in this port early last month, and when I applied for a certificate of registry for her I learnt from the authorities here that no such registry could be granted. I am consequently now obliged to sail that vessel on my own responsibility between this colony and New Zealand exclusively. For the more perfect information of the Home Government, I have the honor to enclose copies of my correspondence and communications on the subject, and beg most respectfully to solicit that this case may be taken into consideration, and a register ordered to be given for the vessel.

And I beg further to state that I am still prosecuting shipbuilding at my establishment, and have now men engaged for the purpose of building a vessel of 300 tons register, which I hope will be launched by the time I shall have the honor of being favoured with a reply to this letter. The persons employed are British subjects; the materials, with the exception of the timber, are all from and belonging to the Mother-country.

Perhaps it would not be considered impertinent nor irrelevant in my here mentioning the other main pursuits I am following at New Zealand--namely, the procuring of flax and spars. Of the former I have sent a considerable quantity to England, and of the latter I have sent one whole cargo, viz., per ship Harmony, and from the experience thereby gained I shall this year import into England a cargo of spars that will, I trust,

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he found to answer, and be of importance to His Majesty's navy.

I cannot let this opportunity pass without respectfully drawing your attention to my exertions at New Zealand, with the hopes that His Majesty's Government will be pleased to consider them meritorious and deserving of encouragement.

I have, &c,
THOMAS RAINE.
To the Right Honble. Sir George Murray, H. M. P. Secretary of State for the Colonies, &c, &c.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND SOLICITOR-GENERAL TO HON. A. MCLEAY.

Court House Chambers, 26th December, 1828.

SIR,--

We have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th instant, transmitting a letter from the Acting Collector of Customs, enclosing an application made by Mr. Thomas Raine for a register for the New Zealander, built at Ho Kiango, New Zealand, and requesting us to report our opinion with as little delay as possible, whether a register can legally be granted at this port to a vessel built at the above-mentioned island, observing that it was there built by British subjects in the actual employment of persons resident in this colony.

2nd. In reply, we have the honor to enclose the communications transmitted to us, and at the same time to report, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, our opinion to be that no register can be legally granted at this port to the vessel in question under the Act of 6 Geo. 4, c. 110.

We have, &c,
A. M. BAXTER, Attorney-General.
JOHN SAMPSON, Solicitor-General.
The Honorable Alexander McLeay.

A NARRATIVE OF THE SUFFERINGS ANB MOST MIRACULOUS ESCAPE OF MR. JOHN F. ATKINS, SECOND OFFICER OF THE BRIG HAWEIS, WHICH WAS TREACHEROUSLY CAPTURED BY THE NATIVES OF NEW ZEALAND, ON THE 2ND OF MARCH, 1829, AND A PART OF THE CREW MASSACRED, INTERSPERSED WITH SOME DESCRIPTIONS OF THE ISLAND AND THE MANNERS OF THE INHABITANTS.

ON the 17th November, 1828, I sailed from Sydney as second officer in the brig Haweis, of 110 tons, and 14 men, commanded

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1829 March 2.

by Captn. John James, having also a gang of sealers, whom we were instructed to land, part on the Antipodes and the rest on the Bounty Islands. Having landed them according to our orders, we made sail for New Zealand on a trading voyage. We arrived at the Bay of Islands in December, and, after wooding and watering, sailed for the East Cape, distant about 500 miles from the bay. On our arrival, a great number of natives came off in large canoes, and, through the medium of our interpreter (an Englishman taken on board at the Bay of Islands), we endeavored successfully to induce them to trade. Eager as these people are for the possession of anything European, we regarded their disinclination to trade as an extraordinary circumstance, but the mystery was soon unravelled by our interpreter informing us that they were singing their war-song and preparing for an immediate attack on the vessel. We instantly flew to arms, removed the caps and aprons from our cannon, and determined on a vigorous resistance; but the savages, whose success depends on surprising their victims, as soon as they perceived we were aware of their intentions, fled with the greatest precipitation. Disappointed at this place in the object of our voyage we weighed anchor, and sailed along the coast until we entered the Bay of Plenty. The natives are very numerous and warlike, having a strong propensity for theft, and of a most treacherous disposition. Our captain permitted a few of the principal chiefs to come on board, treating them with much attention, hoping by a conciliatory disposition to induce them to trade with us. This plan succeeded very well, for in the course of two days as much flax was obtained as we required. The utmost vigilance was observed during this period, as the natives made several attempts to seize the ship, but our continued watchfulness, and the timely notice given by our interpreter, frustrated their intentions. We returned to the Bay of Islands to re-stow the hold, and make room for the quantity of pork required for our provisions, and, after coopering the casks, sailed to a place called Towrenga, at the head of the Bay of Plenty, several miles from our recent trading-place, and under the government of a chief who, we were informed, was of a more friendly disposition. Towrenga is a very good harbour for small vessels, with three fathoms in the channel at low water. The country is hilly, and much diversified with woods, not of any great extent, but so numerous and so delightfully dispersed as to present the appearance of a park, arranged by a tasteful hand. The hills in the distance are covered with verdure, and through every valley runs a beautiful stream, sometimes meandering in graceful silence, and at others rushing over the opposing fragments of rocks and trees in the cattaracts without number.

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Here the natives informed us hogs were abundant, but being wild in the bush, it would require some time to catch them. We cast anchor, and our interpreter, having had an interview with the natives, apparently confirmed the favourable account we had previously received of their friendly disposition, and for several days we obtained a tolerable supply, which, however, was soon discontinued; for at the end of seven weeks we had procured but five tons of potatoes and five tons of cleaned and cured meat. Our interpreter recommended the captain to send the boat to a settlement called by the natives Walkeetanna, about fifty miles from Towrenga Harbour, where the ship lay, being assured an abundance of provisions could there be obtained. In consequence of this advice, the boat was rigged, and placed under my command, and early on the following morning I left the ship, accompanied by the interpreter and one of the crew, and at midnight anchored in a small cove close to the entrance of the settlement. At daybreak we got under weigh, and, after steering about a quarter of a mile up the river, we brought up abreast of the pah, or village, of the natives, who were here very numerous. This pah, like all the others I had seen in New Zealand, is situated on a steep lofty and conical hill of great natural strength, fortified by an embankment of earth, approached by a narrow and circular pathway, so difficult that an European climbs it with much danger, while the barefooted New Zealander ascends without inconvenience, running over the sharpest rocks and most rugged ways with great facility. A number of natives collected at the place of our landing, and received us with the herremi, or "salutations of friendship" (the principal of these are their joining noses). On being informed by our interpreter of the object of our visit, they welcomed us with excessive joy, dancing and singing around us with violent and grotesque gesticulations, declaring their readiness to do all in their power for our assistance. They conducted us to the dwelling of their chief by the pathway before described. This was a small hut constructed of stakes driven into the ground, the sides and roofs of reeds so completely arranged as to be impervious to rain. A small space in the front was neatly paved, and the only aperture for light and air was a little sliding door of reeds scarcely large enough to admit a grown person, and the interior of the dwelling was so low that a man could not stand upright therein. It was surrounded by a sort of a verandah, covered with rude carvings, painted red, designating the rank and family of the chief. The huts of the common people are wretched in the extreme, very little better than pig-styes; but the practice of sleeping in the open air is so prevalent that the weather must be inclement indeed to force

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the natives to the shelter of their hovels. They sleep in a sitting posture, with their legs bent under them, enveloping themselves in their coarse upper mat, so that during the night they have the appearance of a number of small cocks of hay scattered about the side of the hill. To return to my narrative. We were introduced to their chief, named Enarraro (or "the lizard" in their tongue); he was a tall, well proportioned man, of great personal strength and commanding aspect, and his body profusely tatooed; he was seated on the ground in front of his dwelling, with a handsome mat thrown over his shoulders, his face and body besmeared with oil and red ochre, and his hair, after the fashion of his country, tied in a bunch at the top of his head, and ornamented with the plumes of the albatross or gannet. On informing him of our errand we were shown a number of fine hogs, which he was willing to let us have. I requested him to send them overland to the ship, but this he said was impossible, as he was at war with several of the intervening tribes. Under these circumstances I had no alternative but to return to the ship. Unfortunately the wind was foul, with a very heavy sea on, and we could make no way, except to leeward, so that I was compelled to stand out to sea. Night now closed fast, with a gale of wind from the north west. We close reefed the sail, and our little bark made better weather than we could have expected, but at daylight we found ourselves so much to leeward of the river that we were under the necessity of returning to Walkeetanna, and on the wind dying away we took to our oars, and the same day, about 3 p. m., regained the settlement which the day before we had left. Previous to leaving the vessel the captain had instructed me to send a man with a guide overland with my report if I should be detained by contrary winds, or any other circumstances, and as I judged the north west winds had set in, and there appearing no probability of reaching the vessel in the boat, I requested the interpreter to undertake this commission. He felt no inclination either to walk such a journey or trust himself with the natives he might meet on the road, and for the same reasons the man with me belonging to the ship refused to attempt the hazardous task.

I therefore determined on the journey myself, and, engaging a chief to conduct me, set out early on the following morning. I found the country very mountainous, intersected with numerous rivers, which greatly increased the length of our journey, as we were frequently compelled to traverse their banks for several miles before they were fordable. On the sides of these streams flax is growing in great abundance, and many small patches are under cultivation, producing cabbages, potatoes, parsnips, carrots, and a small sort of turnip. They also grow

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water melons and peaches, and I met with a few orange trees, which have been introduced with success. The principal trees are the ronkaterra and the cowry, which grow to an immense height without a branch, and are of such magnitude as to be fit for the masts of large ships. The ronkaterra is found in marshy grounds and on the banks of rivers; it appears to be an evergreen, and bears a red berry. The cowry, which is much preferred, grows in a high and dry soil, has a beautiful foliage, and yields abundance of rosin. A great part of our road lay along the sound, which I found extremely heavy to walk on, and after travelling hard for two days and nights, cautiously avoiding the natives on our way, we at length reached the ship, when I gave my conductor a couple of tomahawks and a small portion of powder, with which he seemed much satisfied. On acquainting the captain that provisions were to be obtained at the place I had visited, he gave orders immediately to weigh anchor, which was readily obeyed, and we bore away for Walkeetanna, where we arrived the next night, to the seeming joy of the natives, who came off in large canoes with a plentiful supply of hogs, which we purchased of them without bringing the ship to an anchor. The chief (Enarraro) came on board, and welcomed us with much apparent cordiality, the same feeling seeming to actuate his people, who, in obedience to the orders of their chief, kept at a distance from the ship, which he would not allow them to board. After stowing our decks with live-stock as thickly as convenient, and the wind suddenly changing to the S. E., we bore away again for Towrenga Harbour, where we killed and salted our pigs; but not finding our quantity complete, we sailed again for Walkeetanna, where we arrived on Sunday, March 1st, 1829. The weather being very fine, we anchored between the Island of Matora and the main, and we had not brought up ten minutes before the natives came off in great numbers as before, from whom we obtained twenty more hogs, which were all we required. On Monday, March 2nd, about 6 a. m., the boat was sent on shore with the chief officer and eight hands, including the interpreter, to a boiling spring in the beach but a short distance from the vessel. At 1 p. m. we hailed them to come on board to dinner, but not hearing us, the captain left me in charge of the vessel with three hands, little imagining the treacherous intentions of the natives. At the time of his departure Enarraro was on board, with about ten natives alongside. I noticed them several times in earnest conversation about the kebooke (or ship), and, suspecting some treachery, I desired the steward, who was an Otaheitian, to hand up the cutlasses, keeping a strict watch on the chief, who I saw cock his piece, and put it under his kakahoo (or upper garment). His men at this

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signal sprang in the main chains, each having a musket, which they had secreted in their canoes. At this critical juncture we had no pistols on deck, and I was well aware if but one of us went below for them, they would immediately take advantage of his absence by commencing their attack. As our muskets were placed in the tops, not only as a security, but as a precautionary measure in the event of an attack, I ordered one of the crew to go in the fore top and shoot the chief. They each positively refused, not being so convinced as I was of the designs of the savages, and, seeing that not a moment was to be lost, I went up myself, giving strict orders to keep a sharp look out, to which they unfortunately paid but little attention, telling me I was meditating the life of an innocent man. As I was ascending the fore rigging they were joking with each other with great indifference, regardless of the motions of the natives, although I kept cautioning them; but as soon as the chief saw me in the fore top unlashing the muskets he fired at the oldest man, who had his back turned to him, playing with his cutlass, at about two paces from him, and shot him through the head, and with his maree (a short stone club, with a sharp edge) he split his skull. At this signal the whole number jumped on board, and in a moment another poor fellow met with the same fate. The steward was shot at several times before he left the deck, and then he made for the fore top with me. They then fired a volley at us, seeing me prime my piece, but in so doing the chief, Enarraro, broke my arm with a bullet, which I afterwards learnt went through the upper part, above the elbow, and shivered the bone, which caused me to lay down in the fore top; when with the most hideous howlings they immediately commenced their war-dance, but ere this three large war-canoes were alongside, which had been laying concealed behind the rocks, so that I am confident it was a premeditated piece of business, and I was extremely glad the captain had left the ship, or he would have fallen the first victim to their barbarity. They then began the plunder of the ship, and although I was lying in the fore top in extreme agony, I could plainly perceive that in the height of their depredations they paid but little attention to the authority of the chief, retaining their acquisitions with such tenacity that several, refusing to relinquish them, were speared through the body, and died on the spot. They speedily filled the canoes alongside, and the chief ordered one of the natives to fetch me down, but being unable to do it himself he called for assistance, when I was dragged down, and placed in a canoe with the Oteheitian. The sun having set, and the day closing fast, they paddled towards the harbour with all possible expedition, which we gained without accident, although our way led us through a tremendous

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surf. Some of the canoes more heavily laden, and containing the greater part of the arms and ammunition, were swamped, the natives saving their lives with much difficulty, with the loss of their canoes. Considering the horrible situation in which I was placed, ignorant of the fate of my worthy captain and the crew, who I suspected were all cut off, believing myself the only survivor of our ill-fated number, in the hands of cannibals, who I doubted not were reserving me for more cruel tortures, and at last to be made the victim of their appalling gluttony for human flesh, it might be expected that I should regard with apathy the loss of the canoes; but such was not the case, for, notwithstanding my extreme pain of body and mind, I beheld their destruction with exultation, considering it an act of retributive justice.

On arriving at the settlement the women surrounded us, singing and dancing, and with every demonstration of extravagant joy welcomed the return of their heroic lords, who in their estimation had achieved such valiant deeds. After landing their plunder they conveyed me to a place where they had kindled several very large fires, around which they collected, the glaring flames displaying with increased effect the horror of their distorted countenances. I observed them in eager consultation, and knew sufficient of their language to be fully aware that I was the subject of their deliberation. I considered my fate to be inevitable, but although many violently contended for my sacrifice, Almighty God had mercifully ordered it otherwise. I am indebted for my preservation at that moment to the chief who had been my conductor to the ship, who earnestly interceded for me, and at length succeeded in obtaining my respite, making a promise that if I was not ransomed by a certain period he would himself kill me, at the same time remarking that a musket would be of much more importance to them than the taking my life, with which they at length acquiesced. He then took me to his hut at the pah, where, ruminating on the occurrence of this eventful day, I offered my grateful thanksgiving to the Almighty for my miraculous preservation, imploring His protection and merciful deliverance. For the first two nights I could not even close my eyes, the terror of the circumstances I have detailed, and the increasing agonies of my arm, totally precluding the possibility of sleep, and my groans so disturbed the chief that he put me out of his hut, and I took shelter in a shed hard by. During this period no one had offered any assistance to alleviate my pain. I at length found a piece of pump leather, which I placed round my shattered member, after the manner of a splint, and using my stocking for a bandage, which the chief bound round the arm. This

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I was frequently obliged to remove, when I went to the river, accompanied by a native, and washed the wound in the best manner I could. I found a bullet had passed completely through the bone, and was assured some slugs remained in the wound, which it was impossible for me to remove. On the second morning of my captivity I was taken to that side of the pah which faces the harbour, and my attention was directed to a sail to windward. I could only just perceive her. On approaching the wreck of our unfortunate vessel, which by this time was entirely dismantled, I observed the natives abandon her in great haste, and she was shortly after taken possession of by a schooner, which proceeded to tow her our of the bay. In the most urgent manner I entreated to be taken on board, but all my assurance of ransom and indemnity were unavailing, and I had the extreme distress to witness the vessel's departure, from whence appeared the only chance of ransom. After this I endeavoured to resign myself to the fate which seemed inevitably to await me, although the natural love of life, and a reflection on my past preservation, sometimes produced a gleam of hope that I should still escape. On the third day of my capture an incident occurred not in any way calculated to diminish the distress of my harrowed feelings: A native brought me the head of one of my unfortunate shipmates; it was the Otaheitian steward, who came on shore with me. He died the next morning, having received five bullets in his body. It was preserved by a method peculiar to themselves, and elaborately tatooed (many such are in their possession, as they are an article of their trade). I shuddered at the reflection that my own ere long might add to their number. On the fourth morning I was greatly alarmed by seeing all the natives flock round me, and anxiously enquired the reason. They told me the people of Towrenga (a neighbouring tribe) were coming to attack them with numbers far exceeding their own, and the report evidently created great consternation among them. Shortly after Enarraro made his appearance with the captain's sextant, which he gave me, desiring me to look at the sun, and inform him truly if the Towrenga people would come down on them. To refuse would have been fatal, and equally so an untrue prophesy; but, judging from the well-ascertained disposition of the natives of this island that the report of the plunder of our vessel would awaken the cupidity of some neighbouring tribe, I obeyed his commands, and, after taking an observation, requested to have a book, which I appeared to consult. I told him the Towrenga people would come against him with hostile intentions. He inquired "When," with much agitation, and, scarcely knowing what I said, I replied "Tomorrow." He seemed much satisfied with me, and prepared

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for a vigorous defence. They built a clay bank about four feet high on the side of the river, at the foot of their pah, where they mounted our cannonades and swivels, and in conscious security awaited with impatience the dawn of the following day. At daybreak I heard a general discharge of musketry, and in a few minutes Enarraro came running to my hut, informing me of the attack of the Towrenga people as I had predicted, and, having now a high opinion of my gift in prophesy, implored me to tell him if the defence of his settlement would be sufficient. I told him "Yes," which greatly animated the spirits of himself and people, amongst whom my last prediction spread with rapidity. By this time the enemy were on the opposite side of the river, and had commenced a brisk fire, which was well returned by the assailed. A native conducted me to the back of the settlement, where they imagined I should be out of danger, my preservation appearing now an object of their solicitude. Shortly after this I heard the report of one of our cannons, when a song of joy was raised by the defenders, for the discharge of this gun had produced so much consternation among the enemy that they took to their heels with great precipitation, the attack having lasted about an hour. After this repulse Enarraro, accompanied by several chiefs, came to me, and were extravagant in my praise, saying I was an Attoah (a god). After the battle several wounded assailants were taken prisoners, whose heads were immediately cut off, their bodies were then embowelled and cooked, and, from the satisfaction displayed by both sexes at this horrible repast, I am persuaded they prefer human flesh to any other food. As the manner of preserving heads so effectually as to prevent decay must be a subject of curiosity, perhaps it may not be amiss here to describe it. After the head has been separated from the body, and the whole of the interior extracted, it is enveloped in leaves, and placed in an oven made of heated stones, deposited in a hole in the ground, and covered over with turf; the heat is very moderate, and the head is gradually steamed, until all the moisture, which is frequently wiped away, is extracted, after which it is exposed to the air until perfectly dry. In some of these heads the features, hair, and teeth are so perfect as in life, and years elapse before they show any symptoms of decay. The practice of preserving heads is universal among the New Zealanders; they bring them as trophies from their wars, and in the event of peace restore them to their families, this interchange being necessary to their reconciliation. They now frequently barter them with Europeans for a little gunpowder. The inhabitants I observed to be in general tall, well made, and active, of a brown colour, and black hair, which sometimes is curling, and their teeth are white and regular.

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They are divided into two classes, viz., ranghateeroos (or chiefs) and their relations of different degrees of consanguinity, and cookees (slaves), who are nearly black, and much shorter, and appear a different race of people. The features of a New Zealander before they are tattooed are pleasing, and many remarkably handsome. When a young man arrives at the age of what they suppose maturity, he must submit to the painful operation of tatooing, or be considered unmanly. They generally bear it with the greatest fortitude. It is performed in the following manner: The person performing the operation takes the head of the subject into his lap, on whose face the peculiar lines of his tribe are first marked out. A small chisel, made of the bone of a fish, is used to cut these lines through the skin, just entering the flesh, when a preparation of charcoal is rubbed into the incisions. The inflamation which is invariably produced by this operation is so great that but a small portion can be done at a time, so that it is many months before the man is completely tatooed. The same operation is performed on the women, but in a much less degree. The natives wear a mat made of a fine silky flax, very curiously woven by the women, which is thrown over their shoulders, and a similar mat is fastened round their waist by a girdle. They have also another mat which they wear in bad weather that completely covers them. Before going to war they paint their bodies with oil and red ochre, oiling their hair, which they form into a bunch at the top of their heads, decorated with the feathers of the albatross. The ears of both sexes are pierced in their infancy, which is gradually increased in size by the introduction of a stick, and is considered more ornamental as it becomes larger. The superior classes suspend the tooth of a scarce fish, which distinction is so tenaciously observed that a cookee (or slave) is not on any account permitted to wear it. They wear also round the neck a grotesque image, carved in green talc, which they seem to prize very highly, and which is preserved in a family for many generations. The dress of the females is precisely the same as the men, and they are generally very modest in their deportment. In complexion they are as fair as Italians, are generally short, but well made and handsome. They are subject to great brutality from their husbands, which they bear with exemplary fortitude and patience. They are faithful and affectionate wives, and regard the children they rear with the greatest fondness. An appalling practice, however, prevails among them-- that of destroying their female infants should they exceed in number the male issue. This is done by the mother herself at the birth of the child, and is effected by pressing her finger on the opening of the skull. Still there are some mothers who

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regard this custom with becoming abhorrence. Plurality of wives among the chiefs is universal, but there is a decided distinction between the head wife and the others. The union with the head wife is a union of policy, being the daughter of a chief, and the offspring of this union takes precedence of the children of the other wife or wives, whose situation to the head wife is merely that of domestics. At the death of a chief it is frequently the custom for the head wife to hang herself, which is considered an act of the most sacred character.

But to return to my narrative. Nothing occurred to myself until the 9th of March, when to my inexpressible joy I was informed of my ransom; but before detailing the circumstances which produced my liberation I must return to the captain and boat's crew, who were on shore at the time the ship was captured. On the captain's reaching the shore, the first object he observed was a native running away with the knives of our people, and on joining the crew he was informed the natives had made off with the hatchets and knives. He gave orders immediately to launch the boat, thinking at the time all was not right. They discovered that the oars had also been stolen. On looking round they discovered a native on the top of a high rock with them in his possession. Our people pursued him with speed and determination, which so terrified him that he threw the oars down and made off. On their return to the boat the natives kept up a brisk fire at them from behind the rocks, happily without effect. After they had left the shore the catastrophe on board the brig was soon discovered, but, seeing her in the possession of the natives armed, and themselves weaponless, it was useless then to attempt her recapture; they therefore stood towards the N. W., and after rowing hard all the day and the following night, they fortunately fell in with the schooner New Zealander, Capt. Clark, from Sydney. Our people were received on board, and on hearing the fate of the brig, Capt. Clark determined to retake her, which he effected in the manner already described. On boarding her they were shocked with the appalling spectacle of fragments of human flesh scattered about the decks, with the remains of a fire, from which they immediately concluded their shipmates had been all of them massacred, and devoured by the natives. They sailed for Towrenga, where they were informed I was alive, and detained a prisoner at Walkeetanna. The captain dispatched two chiefs overland, with muskets for my ransom, which they happily effected, and in the morning of the 9th of March I immediately set out with them on their return, amidst expressions of esteem and regret at my departure. This journey overland I have before described, but owing to my weak and exhausted state it

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was most tedious and painful. The hills being covered with fern, I found it extremely difficult to travel, and on account of the heavy dues [dews] which fall every night, it was impossible to rest upon them. My conductor procured me intervals of repose by making holes in the sand, where I layed down, until feeling cold and chilly I again renewed my journey, which was still further protracted by the necessity of avoiding the hostile tribes on the roads. After three days and nights of painful travelling we reached Towrenga, where I had the inexpressible happiness of rejoining my kind captain and crew, and, with mutual congratulations on our providential escape, we related to each other the events which had transpired since the time of our departure. On the 15th of March we arrived at the Bay of Islands, where Capn. James took me on shore to the Rev. Mr. Williams, a missionary residing there, but, as he was not a medical man, the only assistance he could render me was to administer a powder, for the purpose of preventing the accumulation of proud flesh. I sailed for Sydney on the 17th of March, in the New Zealander, Capt. Clark, and arrived on the 25th, after having been three weeks and two days without any surgical aid. At Sydney three slugs and several pieces of stone were extracted, and so bad was the fracture that the medical men strongly recommended me to have my arm taken off, to which I could not be prevailed on to consent. After remaining 11 weeks in Sydney my wound was tolerably healed, but, despairing of ever recovering the use of my arm, so as to be able to resume my duties on board ship, I returned to England in the barque Vesper, and arrived after a passage of four months and a half.

[Church Missionary House.

REV. S. MARSDEN TO REV. D. COATES.

DEAR SIR, -- Parramatta, 14th Octr., 1829.

The Revd. Mr. Brown has just arrived, from whom I learn that it is finally arranged by the Society that the missionary children are to be educated in New Zealand. In consequence of this determination, the seminary at Parramatta, intended for the missionaries' children, will not now be required. Mr. Lisk and his family will leave Parramatta in a day or two in order to embark for England, and leaves the seminary where he has hitherto resided. From this arrangement I must prepare to refund the amount of the money I received from the Society on account of the building. The seminary cost me about £1,200; upwards of £800 I received from the Society,

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which, sum I am very willing to return as soon as convenient. I think in 18 months or less I may be able to pay the whole, unless I should be greatly disappointed. Until it is paid I shall allow the Society what interest may be right. I will thank you to communicate to me the wishes of the Society by the first opportunity on this subject. I had made a provision some months ago for the payment of the whole amount should the children remain in New Zealand, but the person in whose hands I had deposited the funds has, unfortunately for me, become involved in his circumstances; in consequence I shall suffer a very serious loss; but the Society will not suffer by me, only a delay.

I may here observe that the whole of the corresponding committee perfectly agree with me in opinion that the missionaries' children should be educated in civil society. We form our judgment partly from what we have seen of the children who have come to the colony from the different islands in the South Seas. All that we have seen appeared to have suffered much from their intercourse with the children of the heathens amongst whom they lived....

I did what appeared to me to be absolutely necessary when I prepared the seminary for the welfare of the children; but, as the plan does not meet the views of the missionaries themselves, I have no more to say on the subject....

With respect to the sum advanced to me by the Society on account of the seminary, I shall begin to refund it at the end of this quarter, and continue until that it is all paid, as I may find it convenient. The Revd. R. Hill will write to the Society by Mr. Lisk. Our new Archdeacon has arrived. I have had some conversation with him about the mission. He promised me he would do all in his power to promote the views of the Society, and I believe he will. I am much pleased with him, and I think we have the prospect of going on well. Our late Archdeacon, the Revd. Thos. Hobbs Scott, dined with me to-day for the last time. Mr. Scott has been traduced in the public papers, and in every possible way, as much as any man could be. We have agreed pretty well. The publishing of my last pamphlet produced a very extraordinary effect in the colony in my favour amongst all ranks. The truth had been concealed from the public mind. And it was not credited that the Legislative Council, the Court of enquiry, and the Magistrates could have done such acts of injustice towards me as were done. Archdeacon Scott was a member of the Court of enquiry, and also a member of the Legislative Council, and was supposed to have sanctioned all those proceedings against me which were so unjust, and so void of truth. Mr. Scott being my superior in the Church,