APPENDICES. APPENDIX A. NEW ZEALAND, THE FUTURE ENGLAND...
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APPENDICES
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APPENDIX A.
NEW ZEALAND, THE FUTURE ENGLAND OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE; or, The Natural Advantages of New Zealand compared with those of the Australian Colonies. A Lecture delivered by the Rev. J. BULLER, at Wellington, New Zealand, April 14, 1857.
(Reprinted from the Wellington Independent.)
On Tuesday evening last, according to advertisement, the Rev. J. Buller delivered a lecture on the above subject in the hall of the Athenaeum, which was densely crowded on the occasion,--the subject being attractive, and the evening beautifully fine. Throughout its entire delivery, the lecture was received with marked attention and interest, the lecturer being frequently interrupted by the cheers of his audience.
In his introductory remarks, the reverend gentleman begged to explain the reasons by which he had ventured, with much diffidence, to appear in his present position. By virtue of the official relation he happens to sustain to the Wesleyan churches of Australasia, it became his duty, in the month of January last, to be present in the Annual Assembly or Conference of Wesleyan Ministers in Adelaide. In pursuance of this object, he embarked on board the schooner Cheetah, December 19, 1856. On the preceding Sabbath evening, he took an affectionate leave of his congregation in Manners Street Wesleyan church, and, in anticipation of his return, promised to lay before them the results
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of his observations and inquiries during his absence. By the good providence of God he returned to his charge at Wellington, on March 19, after an interval of exactly three months; and, in order to redeem the promise he had made, an evening was appointed for that purpose. A considerable number of persons assembled, and appeared highly interested in a somewhat lengthy recital of various matters of detail, as well as of general information. Although the object of that evening's meeting was to communicate intelligence of a connexional or Wesleyan character, he did not confine his attention to subjects of that kind, but indulged in a more discursive range. There was a gentleman present, an honourable member of the Provincial Council, and not a member of the Wesleyan congregation, who, at the close of the service, suggested and urged that he (Mr. Buller) would elaborate his observations of the more general character with a view to a repetition of the same in the Mechanics' Institute. He hesitated, fearing he would be unable to invest it with that interest which would receive the approbation of a public audience, beyond the pale of his own congregation. But receiving another application, and being rather pliable in disposition, he was induced to yield to the persuasion of his friends, and therefore his appearance on that platform to-night.
He was, however, unprepared for so large an attendance, and must beg to disarm them of any high expectations, if such had been excited. It would be unreasonable to suppose that what had proved most interesting to his own congregation, would be equally so here;--nor was it his design to bring forward that which was purely religious or denominational on the present occasion. His object would be to refer to matters of general interest; but feeling as he did the importance of the subject, he was conscious that from the press of other duties he had been unable to bestow the preparation which he would like to have done--which he ought to have done---in order to render anything like justice to his theme. He must therefore, under these circumstances, throw himself on the indulgence of his hearers while unavoidably desultory in his remarks. He further observed that it would be preposterous in him to pretend to anything like an enlarged or minute acquaintance with the neighbouring colonies by a mere flying visit. He would not incur the merited
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condemnation of those authors who have undertaken to write books on those countries only which they have seen. But as in reaching Adelaide, he had been under the necessity of visiting Sydney and Melbourne on the way, and although the field of his personal observation had been very limited, yet having had opportunities of intercourse with his brethren in the ministry, (who occupy important stations, and have had a long acquaintance with those colonies,) as well as with other gentlemen, some of whom occupy influential positions in the commercial, literary, and political, as well as in the religious world, he had been enabled to possess himself of a considerable amount of reliable information. To himself the occasion had been one of much social and intellectual, as well as of religious, enjoyment. After having lived in comparative obscurity for more than twenty years--for until the last two or three years he had lived entirely in the bush as a missionary among the natives--many scenes and associations, in the more advanced state of society in the older colonies, presented themselves with all the freshness of novelty, and in some instances powerfully revived almost forgotten features of our father-land. He was not precisely in the condition of that intelligent and Christian Fijian who arrived in Sydney, while he (Mr. Buller) was there, with the Rev. S. Waterhouse in H.M.S. Herald. Struck with amazement at the new and wonderful sights which revealed themselves, he took his stand in the verandah of one of the minister's houses, before which a constant stream of vehicles was passing, and after a long interval of silent astonishment, he exclaimed, "Well, well! these papalangi" (meaning the white people) "are a marvellous race--everybody is busy, and yet no one does anything;--the horses do all the work."
During a long residence in this country, dating itself far anterior to its colonization, his missionary duties had required him to travel over much of it. In the course of those solitary journeys, his mind had often mused on its probable future--he would frequently trace a parallel between the present condition of these islands and the early history or normal condition of Great Britain. As time rolled on, he thought the course of events was flowing in that direction. He had long, by local experience, been acquainted with New Zealand; now by visiting
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the adjacent colonies he was led to institute the comparison in another aspect; he thought he could trace another step in the analogy--that what England is in relation to the continent of Europe, that New Zealand will certainly become in reference to the continent of Australia. During his brief sojourn in those colonies, he was several times engaged in public meetings in which he was requested to speak. New Zealand was naturally his subject. With this he was more conversant, and his hearers the less, than with any other subject he could have chosen. And, besides this, he found, a little to his mortification, that New Zealand was but little known. He felt perhaps his vanity, as a New Zealander, a little wounded that we who think so much of ourselves, should be so little thought of elsewhere. And as, in his official capacity in the Wesleyan Conference, he had endeavoured to represent the interests and wants of the Wesleyan churches in the southern provinces, so in these social and public meetings, with something of the feeling of a patriot, he attempted to delineate the geographical, commercial, and political importance of this country as bearing on the destiny of Australasia. In short, he strenuously maintained then, what he honestly averred now, that, in his opinion, New Zealand will become the future England of the southern hemisphere.
In support of this view, he did not think it necessary, nor did he intend, to say anything by way of depreciation of the sister colonies. It must be freely admitted that they contain the germs of mighty empires;--there is, in the colony of Victoria particularly, a marvellous development of Anglo-Saxon energy and progress. There, is a "nation born in a day;" and when it is said that it is adding to its population at the rate of more than 5000 per month, it will afford an idea of its wonderful enlargement. Besides its former extensive produce of wool, the recent discovery of gold, which continues to yield an unabated revenue, has given an impulse to immigration which Divine Providence will doubtless overrule for the wisest ends. Whether regarded from a commercial, or political, or ecclesiastical point of view, New Zealand must, in comparison with those colonies, be considered in the infancy of its being, the "least among the princes of Judah." Nor does this admission in any way darken the prospect we entertain. It is the last as well as the least; but, as in
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many other departments of human experience, so in this, there is reason to believe that the "last shall be first." In fact, we may notice in this very circumstance, one point in the parallel between the respective conditions of this country and England. Our glorious nation did not attain its greatness with a mushroom growth--it was the effect of centuries of gradual development, of patient and hardy discipline, before she reached her proud pre-eminence, and sat as a queen among the nations. Her growth was like that of her appropriate emblem, the monarch of her forests, the noble oak--slow, but durable; tardy, but permanent. (Here the lecturer quoted a paragraph from "Alison's History of Europe," referring to the gradual progress of the fabric of society in general, and illustrated by the history of England in particular.) It was needless to prove that, compared with the continental powers, the British Isles were for centuries far more eclipsed by the shadow of their greatness than New Zealand is now inferior to Australia. The elements of British ascendancy were in the course of training, and at last emerged in the consolidation of an empire upon whose territory the sun never sets, and before the glory of which the splendour of other nations becomes dim. The ultimate greatness of this country will be the work of time; the elements are here; the development will be gradual; and it is to the future we must look. No man is, or ought to be, more unselfish than the right-hearted emigrant. He expatriates himself from country and kindred, to assist in founding new kingdoms--not for himself, but for his posterity. What is said of man in a far higher acceptation, may be ascribed to the bona fide settler in a new country--"he liveth not unto himself." Like the Pilgrim Fathers of the far west, amid toils and privations, and sometimes dangers too, he plants the tree of freedom and of plenty; his children rise up; and while they eat of its delicious fruits, they call him blessed--they embalm the memory of the sire in their affections and institutions.
We live in an age of wonders. Not long ago the immense Pacific was under the dominion of universal silence,--not one graceful vessel "like a thing of life," nor one snorting steamer with its trail of smoke, disturbed the monsters of her spacious caverns--desolation reigned supreme. But now--such is the
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progress of human enterprise--she sustains the constant traffic, the busy action, the stirring interest which attend the planting of new countries, destined to become great and powerful nations, among which New Zealand, from its natural position, will certainly be found the first and greatest--the Britain of the South.
As the first step in the analogy, he might dwell on our insular and geographical position, affording advantages which, viewed in the mirror of the history of England, must strike every reflective mind. (The lecturer here again quoted from Alison, on the advantages to England of her insular character, which he showed to be equally apparent in regard to New Zealand.) The effect of our geographical situation with respect to climate and soil he would again revert to, but mentioned it now in order to observe that it not only affords the key to the Southern Archipelago, but will make this the highway of future steam communication between England and Australia.
The ascendancy of England is greatly indebted to the excellent harbours with which her long line of coast is indented. Hence her maritime genius has been fostered until it has assumed for her the supremacy of the seas. Her naval greatness--commercial and imperial--stands unrivalled by the past or the present. And nature has bestowed upon New Zealand this advantage in at least, an equal degree. He need not here enumerate the many spacious harbours which encircle these islands--harbours in which future fleets will ride in safety, and prove the commercial emporium of the Southern Seas. If from the advancing population of Australasia, a class of native-born seamen is ever to arise--if we are not always to be dependent on England or America for that useful and invaluable class of our fellow-men, there is not a country that bids so fair to contribute to that important service as New Zealand, whose proud pendant will hereafter wave--the acknowledged mistress of the Pacific Ocean!
Apart from the influence of other causes, there are three natural advantages which mainly support the commercial preeminence of England: her manufacturing superiority, her mineral wealth, and her facilities for inland communication. We have the best reasons for supposing that this country will also attain a high character for manufactures. It abounds in the natural
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product the Phormium tenax, or New Zealand Flax, and this plant only awaits the discovery of some process by which its preparation shall be more rapidly effected, to make it a valuable commodity in the way of raw material. Besides our vast forests of fine timber, it is certain that immense beds of coal exist, which is an indispensable article in manufacturing pursuits. That mineral ore exists in large quantities is an ascertained fact, but the richness of those stores is to be revealed by future explorers. Then for the purposes of inland communication, New Zealand possesses facilities beyond comparison. If there be obstacles to the immediate establishment of railways, there is the less expensive avenue afforded by means of her many and noble rivers, by which in many places the country is all but intersected,-- rivers navigable for vessels of the largest burthen, and rivalling in beauty as well as in utility the venerable father Thames, of whom Denham says,--
"Though deep, yet clear; though gentle, yet not dull: Strong without rage; without o'erflowing, full."
Did such rivers flow through the country of Australia, they would deem themselves rich indeed. Compare them with those streams dignified with the name of rivers--for instance, the Yarra of Melbourne, and the Torrens of Adelaide: the latter, when the lecturer was there, was a mere congeries of stagnant pools, connected with each other by little water-runs, winding like the crawlings of a snake between them. On the bosom of our rivers a tide of inland navigation will, in time to come, bear the strongest testimony to our prosperity and power.
It is allowed that formidable difficulties present themselves --herculean labours are demanded before the ideal can be realized. It is easy to imagine the stranger on his arrival looking wistfully around at the steep and forbidding hills by which this harbour is partially environed. We may suppose his heart to sink within him. But with a feeling of bitter disappointment, let him wait. If there be hills, there are also valleys. He has yet to look on fertile plains, luxuriant forests, fruitful dales, beautiful banks, which he (the lecturer) often in imagination had peopled with all the busy activities, the stirring interests, and the charming adornments of the coming settle-
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ment. And though there be barren wastes besides, yet these are capable of being converted into use. (Here Mr. Buller read a quotation from the naturalist Dr. Dieffenback, as bearing out his assertion of the improvable character of our most barren lands.) With the fullest confidence would he address the newly arrived settlers of the right class in the language of Moses to the Israelites: "The Lord thy God bringeth thee into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills: a land of wheat and barley, and vines and fig-trees,--a land of honey; a land wherein thou shalt eat bread without scarceness: thou shalt not lack anything in it." That hard labour is a necessary condition he would readily admit. But even this circumstance affords another instance of resemblance to the England of the old world. While in Sydney, he (Mr. Buller) attended a public meeting on Colonial Missions in connection with the Congregationalists. Many things were said forcibly and eloquently on the growing importance of Australia. The speeches gave a glowing picture of approaching greatness, and compared it with the glory of our ancestral land. One of the speakers, towards the close, said that "he was not quite so sanguine as his brethren who had preceded him. He agreed with them in the great importance of those countries, and sympathized with their aspirations for future prosperity; but he confessed he should have greater hope of their rising into a parallel with English grandeur had they but greater difficulties to overcome. He thought they had too little to do. Had they, as our Saxon forefathers had, dense forests to clear and immense swamps to drain, and the like, then their energies would be, like theirs, so developed that they would rise into the same hardy, enterprising, and successful race." He (the lecturer) felt, and he whispered to the Rev. Mr. Buddle, of Auckland, who sat by his side, that were Mr. Bazeley, the speaker, as well acquainted with New Zealand as with Australia, he would have an illustration to suit his purpose. What our Saxon forefathers did for us, we must expect to do for others. By their labour, order and beauty had emerged from confusion and rudeness; by our patient exertions will the same results be produced here. "Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir-tree, and instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle-tree," and the very exercise involved
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implies a physical and mental training which shall be followed by the happiest consequences.
In comparing the respective advantages of different countries, we should look at the negative as well as the positive side of the question. We should remember from what disadvantages we escape, as well as what advantages we enjoy. Here, for instance, we are not subject to myriads of mosquitoes, to the suffocating hot winds, to the parching droughts, to the overwhelming torrents, or to the venomous reptiles which infest the colonies of Australia. (Here the lecturer related a very affecting instance of death by poison inoculated by a fly, in the case of a son of G. Oakes, Esq., of Paramatta, a promising youth of seventeen years of age.) On the other hand, we possess a priceless treasure in our crystal streams and gushing fountains. Our purling brooks are so common in New Zealand, that we are liable to undervalue what in other lands would be the richest luxury. How refreshing to the wearied and thirsty traveller to luxuriate, as he (Mr. Buller) had often done, at the banks of these pure and perennial streams which meander through the land. What would the traveller in New South Wales give for such a treat when essaying to assuage his thirst at some odious mud-hole! What is the testimony of the gold-digger in Victoria who formerly lived in New Zealand, but who, attracted by the magnetic force of gold, had gone to those burning regions, where he would gladly exchange his auriferous wealth for the cooling and refreshing beverage which nature here so abundantly supplies! When in Adelaide, the only supply of water for the town was that which the stagnated pools of the Torrens could supply; and while, to the great disorder of his stomach he (Mr. Buller) was perpetually drinking lemonade and soda-water, how earnestly did he long for a cup of cold water from New Zealand! He could sympathize with King David who "longed, and said, Oh that one would give me to drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, that is at the gate."
But the crowning point of our natural advantages consists in the salubrity of our fine climate. He (Mr. Buller) never appreciated this advantage so greatly as since his recent visit to Australia. He used sometimes to think when our winds blew bleakly, and our sky was cloudy and our atmosphere humid, that he would
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not object to a warmer and a drier clime. He had heard much of the beauty of Sydney weather, but when he had been there a day he found the sky gather a leaden blackness, the thunder roared, the lightning glared, the rain poured, the atmosphere was close and sultry; every one complained of lassitude or headache, and he felt there was nothing in New Zealand so bad as that. In fact, in passing through the three colonies he was like a boy at school describing the three degrees of comparison. Sydney was hot, Melbourne was hotter, Adelaide was hottest. There the hazy atmosphere, the lurid sky, the parched ground, the clouds of dust, the heated air, all combined to rob one of his energy. On the morning of February 11, immediately prior to embarkation in the Havilah on the return voyage, a breakfast was provided in the schoolroom belonging to the large Wesleyan church, in Pirie Street. Here a number of the Wesleyan friends of Adelaide met the President and other members of the Conference on the occasion of their departure. Being requested by the chairman, with others, to address the meeting, he (Mr. Buller) could not but feelingly acknowledge the very great kindness he had received, together with all his brethren, on every hand--kindness he would ever remember with pleasure, and which he could compare only to the glowing, melting, fervid sun of their Australian sky; but while he never could forget the social pleasure he had enjoyed and the new acquaintances he had had the privilege of forming, he could not but anticipate with satisfaction his speedy return to the islands of his New Zealand home, where he would no longer dissolve in heat, but would once more inhale the bracing air of its mountain breezes. Nor is this a consideration of mere personal comfort. That climate exerts a positive influence on the character and habits of men is indisputable. The testimony of Humboldt, the celebrated cosmogonist, and other writers, may be adduced in proof of this. Of this influence, one of the most striking illustrations is found in the case of the Jews. By the peculiarity of their religion and other causes, they continue a distinct people although scattered all over the world. With rare exceptions, they do not intermarry with any other people. If therefore they assimilate to the people among whom they live, it cannot be by the admixture of races. Yet the English Jew is white,
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the Portuguese brown, the American olive, and the Egyptian swarthy. (The lecturer here read a quotation from a scientific writer in the Classical Journal, to the effect that a warm climate necessarily produces an enervating influence on both body and mind, and that temperate regions are most favourable to the cultivation of hardihood, heroism, and genius.) He observed that other causes must be taken into consideration as combining with that of climate in the formation of national character. In our native land, for instance, her political and religious institutions have operated most powerfully upon the national mind and manners, but still the difference of climate produces its special influence. Hence we have the volatile Frenchman, the mercurial Spaniard, the voluptuous Italian; while it is the Anglo-Saxon race alone which seems qualified to impart their language and laws, their institutions and religion, over the unpeopled regions of the world. The same causes will produce the same effects elsewhere. Eventually, the distinction will be palpable between the inhabitants of Australia and of New Zealand. Already the incipient difference is apparent. You cannot go into their homes, you cannot meet them in the streets, you cannot mingle with them in the public congregation, but you must notice the pale and sallow complexion and the spiry growth for which the youth of Australia are remarkable. He would not say it in disrespect to the ladies of Australia, nor intend it as flattery of those of New Zealand, but if a comparison be instituted between them as to personal appearance, he was sure the balance must preponderate decidedly in favour of the daughters of this country. And he would ask what earthly blessing can be compared with that of a vigorous constitution--with robust health? What so seriously deserves the consideration of the intending emigrant as that which will affect his own health and longevity, and of those who are dearer to him than life itself--his own children whose home he desires to establish? And what sight is so lovely, what scene so beautiful, as that of the large and well-trained family, the hale and joyous parents, with their hardy sons and graceful daughters "like olive plants around their table"? Such families, unbroken by death, and almost unvisited by disease, he (Mr. Buller) had often seen in this country, but in Australia, alas! you can hardly
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visit a family with whom disease and death have not formed acquaintance:--
"The fireside shows an empty chair;
The graveyard bears an added stone."
He would quote with much satisfaction a passage from Dieffenbach, which fully bears out all these views, and declares, "as regards climate alone, no country is better suited for a colony of the Anglo-Saxon race than New Zealand; and were this its only recommendation, it would still deserve our utmost attention as the future seat of European civilization and institutions in the southern hemisphere, since in the other southern colonies--for instance, in that of New South Wales--Europeans undergo more or less alteration from the original stock."
There is another element which must certainly affect the future character of this country. He referred to the aborigines. They are acknowledged on all hands to be the finest of all aboriginal tribes. They are highly susceptible, not only of the arts, but also of the polish of civilization. Their present condition, compared with the past, clearly indicates that in two or three generations more they will be prepared in every respect to stand on a social equality with their European brethren. The question has often been asked, What will become of the New Zealanders? The general opinion is that they will become extinct. If he (Mr. Buller) might give his opinion, it is that they will become extinct, but not in the sense of dying out, but by reason of amalgamation with our race, for which it is the office of a Christian education and progressive civilization to prepare them. And here the lecturer observed, he would take the opportunity of observing that Christian missionaries are not enemies to colonization. He knew they had been so represented, and erroneously believed to be such. He would not say that no individual missionary in New Zealand deserved that character, but this he would affirm, that being acquainted with every missionary of his own denomination, and many of the Church Mission, if there be such an one, he did not know him. For his own part, while fully sensible of the demoralizing influences which are inseparable from European colonization in the present state of humanity, he never traversed our newly formed roads, he never
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partook of the improved hospitalities of the natives, he never beheld them following their teams and their carts, he never saw them depositing their money in the bank, or giving a portion of it to benevolent and religious objects, but he felt that colonization was after all a boon to the New Zealanders: he was persuaded that it was in accordance with the designs of Divine Providence; and he asked credit for sincerity when he said that it afforded him the fullest satisfaction to reflect that whatever may have stained the British name in the colonizing process in other lands, the aborigines of New Zealand have received nothing at the hands of the British Government, but that paternal regard which is ever due from the stronger to the weaker; and he did not doubt but this fine race of people would ultimately contribute to a mixed and noble generation, even as the sons of Britain are the offspring of a blended stock.
As another ground of public confidence, the lecturer said he would mention the Government under which we live. He was aware that he ventured on delicate ground; but he could speak with the greater freedom because he was in no respect a party man. As a Christian minister he felt it his duty not to intermeddle with party or local politics, for which, however, he claimed no credit, for otherwise he had no temptation to do so. On principle, he had since his residence in Wellington declined even to exercise his elective franchise. He expressed no party views-- he offered no opinion on centralism or provincialism, or any other political question of the day. He could wish that these questions were not productive of the strong party feeling which divides the public mind. He did not expect men to agree in their political views any more than in their religious opinions; but for the same reason that he hated bigotry or exclusiveness in religion, did he deprecate violence and hatred in politics. But as the possession of good governing power is an important element in the prosperity of any country, he could not but enjoy pleasure in feeling--he spoke now more particularly of this province--that we have men of acknowledged ability, of legislative and administrative talents, such as would grace the councils and adorn the courts of any of our older larger colonies.
On the whole, then,--and this is the only practical object he could serve by this lecture,--he would assure those who had
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recently arrived (if such were present) that they have every ground for encouragement and hope. To the idle and intemperate he had not a word of encouragement to offer; they are the pest of society, the curse of their families, and the disgrace of their country, go wherever they will. But to the sober and industrious--to those who were prepared to apply themselves with diligence and wait with patience--he could confidently say, "Take courage, and with God's blessing you will do well." He would repeat that this is not to be expected without labour. Success must be earned by "the sweat of the brow." Labour you must, and rough it too perhaps, but provided you will do this you will not labour in vain. It is enough to satisfy any reasonable mind to refer to those who are now living, not only in comfort, but in comparative affluence. They arrived here twelve or fifteen years ago, as those who come among as now, to improve their circumstances. They were exposed to toil and privation, and to danger too, such as their successors will know nothing of. But they patiently endured--they persevered with heroic fortitude, and now they rejoice in the work of their hands. He (Mr. Buller) felt himself entitled to speak with confidence on this subject because he had seen the rise, and was acquainted with the present circumstances, of many such of the earlier and now successful colonists. He would mention one as an illustration, one with whom he had the pleasure of being acquainted from his first arrival, about seventeen years ago, and one whom he highly esteemed. After passing through many vicissitudes, and enduring heavy losses and disappointments, by dint of his own exertions he triumphed over all. He became possessed of a fair competence, had a seat in the Honourable House of Representatives, and last year paid a visit with his family to England, where, being a man of some ability, he has been lecturing to thousands on the subject of New Zealand. (Here Mr. Buller read an extract from a letter published in the New Zealander of the 4th March, which describes his lecture.) He had only one exception to make to his friend's lecture. That was, as appears from this and as he learnt from a private source, while literally true with respect to the Auckland province--it is exparte and hardly fair in respect to the Wellington province. He (Mr. Buller) deeply regretted the rival feeling between the provinces.
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His friend's error is in this: he gives a glowing (and not too glowing) description of Auckland as it is, while he carries with him the idea of Wellington as it was fourteen years ago when he was here. If Auckland has had excellent roads and other conveniences since then, he (Mr. Buller) was glad to say that Wellington also shared in the same improvement. The earthquakes of which it was often attempted to make so much to our disparagement, were now dying out; and, holding himself altogether free from provincial prejudice, he would say again to the stranger on our shores--you have every chance: look at the picture before you, "go and do likewise," and success is yours.
He would now thank them for the patience with which they had listened to his lecture. It would be easy to enlarge on every point, but he could not expect to detain them any longer. He would therefore only add that in making these statements he claimed credit for disinterestedness. He was open to no motive to mislead, while his reputation was at stake by so doing. He had not an inch of property in the province, nor did he expect any; he was under no personal bias or obligation to the Government or any party; he spoke only the honest sentiments of his mind--the inalienable birthright of every Englishman. He felt it was only necessary that the leaven of Christianity imbue the social relations and public institutions of this country, and nothing could prevent it from becoming in the south what England is in the north, "Great, glorious, and free." He had said he had no property in the province: he was inclined to qualify that assertion. He had the honour of being the father of a numerous family--he felt this an honour--his only fortune. Whatever might become of him, wherever he might be appointed, New Zealand, in all probability, will be their home, as it is their birthplace, and therefore he had important and sacred interests at stake; and identifying himself with the colonists of this land, he would earnestly pray, in the language of Holy Writ, "That our sons may be as plants grown up in their youth; that our daughters may be as corner-stones, polished after the similitude of a palace; that our garners may be full, affording all manner of store; that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets; that our oxen may be strong to labour; that there be no breaking in, nor going out; that there be no
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complaining in our streets." For "happy is that people that is in such a case; yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord."
