Twelve Months Residence in New Zealand

John Walton

First published by W. R. M'Phun in 1839

Digitised and made available online by the University of Auckland Libraries and Learning Services.

Epub © 2013 Early New Zealand Books Collection

ISBN 978-1-927279-25-0

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TWELVE MONTHS' RESIDENCE
IN
NEW ZEALAND;

CONTAINING.
A CORRECT DESCRIPTION
OF
THE CUSTOMS, MANNERS, &c,
OF THE
NATIVES OF THAT ISLAND,
WITH OTHER
INFORMATION VALUABLE TO EMIGRANTS.

BY JOHN WALTON ,
Who resided in the Island during the Years 1837 and 1838.

"I am confident that if Colonized on right principles, New Zealand will one day be the Great Britain of the Southern Hemisphere." – Dr Lang.

GLASGOW: W. R. M'PHUN, PUBLISHER, 86, TRONGATE;
N. H. COTES, LONDON; W. WHITE & CO., EDINBURGH.
1839.

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[INTRODUCTION]

INTRODUCTION.

AS my readers are no otherwise interested in my personal history than with respect to the fact of my residence in New Zealand, I will not obtrude on them a long narrative of my adventures; suffice it to say, that in the summer of last year I arrived in my native country, after being absent from it upwards of four years, during which period I visited a considerable part of the world. Animated by an irrepressible curiosity to see mankind under a phasis so widely different from that artificial construction of society which they present in a state of civilization, I was not a little gratified on being permitted to go with the William Stovald, Captain Davidson, which sailed from Leith for the purpose of engaging in the South Sea whale fishery. The vessel was very successful, and disposed of several valuable cargoes of sperm oil in New South Wales and other places. We visited Van Dieman's Land from which I brought home with me a very curious amphibious animal, bred in the fresh water rivers of that country. We also touched at the Friendly and Tanga islands, from one of which I brought a tomahawk. From Otaheite, where the natives, who are the best swimmers I ever saw, were at great pains to teach me that useful art, I brought some beautiful shells; from Tangataboo a specimen of the cloth fabricated by the natives; and from New Zealand a mantle worn by the higher class of females, and a dressing-box of native workmanship.

From the Bay of Islands, in New Zealand, where the vessel had been fishing, she sailed with her cargo in the prosecution of her design, and was not to return to it for a considerable time. Being very desirous of sojourning for some time in New Zealand, I resolved on remaining in that country till the vessel came back, which, owing to various circumstances, she did not do till nearly a twelvemonth, and I had thus an opportunity

of making myself personally acquainted with the objects which I have attempted to describe.

To my own testimony in behalf of New Zealand as a field for colonization, I have added that of a number of gentlemen, whose knowledge of the country 1 was obtained, like mine, from personal residence and investigation.

To render the publication interesting, not only to the emigrant but to the general reader, I have added a sketch of the discovery, habits, customs, and manners of New Zealand, and of the features which more peculiarly and prominently distinguish the character of its aboriginal inhabitants.

1 Extracted from the Minutes of Evidence, given before a Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to enquire into the present state of the Islands of New Zealand in 1838.

CHAPTER I. A Glance at the causes which produce Emigration from our own country.

CHAPTER I.

A Glance at the causes which produce Emigration from our own country.

IT has been observed that there is little chance of living comfortably in this country, unless by some sweeping mortality, one-half of its inhabitants should be sent to their graves. The inhabitants of this country are too numerous for its means of subsistence. The feast is not large enough for those who require to partake of it. Some, indeed, occupy such good seats at the table, as give them the command of the choicest dishes; but these are few, compared with the number who are very scantily provided for. So great, indeed, is the crowd pressing for admission to the table, that some cannot obtain seats at all, and hence the accounts with which we are every now and then horrified, of persons dying from absolute want of the indispensable necessaries of life. And is it possible, that in a country, whose resources are so much extolled – a country abounding with bibles and churches – a country, where so many enjoy all the luxuries which wealth can command, there should be found persons dying for want of a crust of bread to keep body and soul together. O tempora! O mores! There must be something rotten in the institutions or government of a country, in which instances of such appalling destitution are found – where there is so wide a disproportion between the condition of one human being and another – between the aristocrat who inhabits a sumptuous palace, and the poor wretch in his vicinity, who, from no fault of his own, cannot obtain a sufficiency of food to stop the agonizing cries of his starving offspring! The case would not be so bad, if those who sit at that part of the table which is plentifully furnished, would allow the less fortunate guests to purchase their provisions at the cheapest market: but when an application to this effect is made, these wealthier guests tell their needy brethren, that from the rank which it is proper they should maintain, no such concession can be granted; that their depot must have

the exclusive benefit of whatever purchases are made; and to this arrangement, dictated by the most obvious selfishness, as the aristocracy have the government in their hands, the people are obliged to submit.

But the desire to remove from this country is strengthened by a variety of other causes. The burthen of taxation with which it is overloaded, to discharge the interest of more than eight hundred millions of debt, yearly augmenting – the monopoly of the productions of the soil claimed and exercised by its aristocratic proprietors – the hopelessness of seeing effected any substantial reforms of the rank abuses of the commonwealth by a government composed of men who, like Louis Phillippe, have belied their professions, betrayed the too generous confidence of their supporters, and whose elevation to power has annihilated all distinction, except the name between a Whig and a Tory government, these are among the causes which have contributed to break the ligament, and a pretty strong one it usually is, that attaches men to the country which gave them birth, and to induce them to try their fortune in a foreign land.

If ever the Scottish adage "Look before you loup" should be seriously attended to, it is when a man is deliberating on the important design of transporting himself and family – if he have one – to a distant land. Some indeed abandon their native country from no other motive than a love of adventure, or a restless desire of change, and such usually pay dear for their rashness; but if a man possess an ordinary share of prudence, he will not determine on emigration to any country however favourably represented, till he has satisfied himself, from authentic sources of information, that his settlement in it is likely to bring along with it that improvement in his condition which it is his object to attain. To assist enquirers on this important subject, which at present engages so large a portion of public attention; to lay before them a succinct view of the claims which New Zealand possesses, as a field for emigration, is the design of this publication. The writer deems it due to himself, as well as to his reader to state, that he has not the slightest connection, either directly or indirectly, with any company or persons whose interests may be affected by New Zealand emigration. Having, therefore, no interest to serve, but that of truth, he trusts that in whatever other respects he may be found deficient, his claim to the credit of impartiality will be conceded.

CHAPTER II. Climate of New Zealand.

CHAPTER II.

Climate of New Zealand.

The comfort and prosperity of the emigrant are inseparably connected with the possession of health. The enquiry, therefore, is the climate of New Zealand conducive to the enjoyment of this invaluable blessing? is one in which he cannot but feel very deeply interested. In reply to this important question, I have no hesitation in saying, that in respect of climate, New Zealand may challenge a comparison with the most highly favoured countries in the world, a great many of which, the vicissitudes of my life have afforded me an opportunity of visiting. The climate is superior to that of Great Britain, and very much resembles that of the south of France. The thermometer (Fahrenheit) rarely falls below 40 deg. in winter. The heat in summer sometimes reaches to 80 deg., in those parts which lie nearest the equator; but its genera] temperature is from 60 to 75 deg.. The cold in winter is not so intense as that experienced in our own country. So mild, indeed, is winter, that the pasturage does not cease to grow during that season, in consequence of which a great saving of time, trouble, and expense will be effected to the agriculturist. How different is this agreeable and healthful temperature from that of Australia, where, during four months in the year, I have found the thermometer in the shade range from 96 deg. to 112 deg., and in the sun sometimes rise to 140 deg.. In spring, summer, and autumn, no weather can be more agreeable than that enjoyed in New Zealand, through three-fourths of which a chain of lofty mountains extends, attracting the moisture, and yielding a perpetual and abundant supply to the numerous and fertilising streams with which the more level parts are intersected. What a striking contrast between the soil under the influence of this salutary humidity, and that of Australia, where the heat, sometimes stronger than that of the tropics, dries up the scanty supply afforded by the rivulets, and where the wind, which sometimes blows violently, instead of moderating the overpowering warmth, is as hot as though it had been blown through a furnace.

The physical conformation of the natives of New Zealand attests the invigorating influences of their climate. "They are," as has been observed by an eloquent writer, "unquestionably the noblest specimen of savage men with which voyagers have made us acquainted." The generality of the males, when

full grown, attain the height of between six and seven feet, and in strength and activity, are superior to the natives of every other island in the Pacific Ocean. The exemption too, of New Zealand from the epidemics, dysentery, measles, consumption, diarrhoea, &c, with which the colony of New Holland is afflicted, is a still further proof of the salubrity of its climate.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

John Liddiard Nicholas, Esq. – Upon that occasion had you opportunities of forming any judgment as to the climate of the place? We were there in the middle of summer, and nothing could exceed the salubrity of the climate, nor the beauty of it.

Mr John Watkins. – What observation did you make upon the climate? The climate is very delightful. I was there in 1833, in March and April; in 1834, in the beginning of January, and again in May; the climate is very equable.

The Rev. Frederick Wilkinson – How is the climate? It is a beautiful climate; it is never so hot as New South Wales, nor is it so cold; it is more moist.

Mr John Flatt. – What is your opinion of the climate of the country? It is a very healthy climate; superior to England.

Captain R. Fitzroy, R. N. – Are you not of opinion, taking into consideration the position of that country, and the fertility of the soil, and the salubrity of the climate, that it must grow into great importance? Certainly; it corresponds in that hemisphere to Great Britain in this hemisphere; it must go on holding out temptations to settlers of all descriptions; it is quite impossible it should remain in its present state.

CHAPTER III. Magnitude.

CHAPTER III.

Magnitude.

BUT although the healthfulness of a country is of very great importance to the man who has selected it for his residence, it must possess other recommendations to render it a desirable

place for one to pass one's life in. Docs New Zealand possess such recommendations? Does it open to the intending emigrant a fair prospect of being able to make an advantageous use of that health, which, from the excellence of its climate, he may expect to enjoy? I hesitate not to answer this question in the affirmative; nor will the reader I think dissent from my opinion, when he weighs the evidence in its favour, which I now proceed, after briefly noticing the magnitude of the country, to lay before him.

In estimating the resources of a country, towards which the tide of emigration is directed, its extent naturally challenges our attention. New Zealand consists of three islands, the northern and the southern, which are separated by a strait a few leagues broad. It is situated between the 34th and 48th parallels of south latitude, and 166th and 180th degrees of east longitude. Its extent from north to south is more than eight hundred geographical miles, and in average breadth it is upwards of one hundred miles. It embraces, therefore, an extent of surface full equal to that of Great Britain and Ireland; and when it is considered, that in the latter country, the population amounts to upwards of thirty millions, while in the former it does not exceed, including natives and strangers, one hundred and fifty thousand, an idea may be formed of the ample room for millions of emigrants, which the capacious bosom of New Zealand will afford.

CHAPTER IV. Agriculture.

CHAPTER IV.

Agriculture.

THE soil throughout these islands is, with few exceptions, rich beyond comparison. Along the banks of its principal rivers lies an immense extent of alluvial land, of the first quality, upon which might be raised, in the greatest abundance and perfection, not only all the roots, fruits, vegetables, and grains of our own country, but also tobacco, the olive, and the vine. The potatoes are considered among the best that ever were produced. They thrive throughout every part of the islands, and no aid from manure is required for their production. They reach maturity in the short space of fourteen weeks, and in consequence of this rapidity of growth, two

crops of them are obtained in the year. How fruitful, in comparison of ours, must the soil be, whose vegetative powers are capable of producing so beneficial a result. The return from wheat is about forty bushels per acre. So rich indeed is the quality of the soil generally, and so regular the supply of moisture, that not only all the necessaries, but many of the luxuries of life may, with a moderate share of industry, be easily produced. A great part of the improveable land is overgrown with fern; but when for the fern, English grasses are substituted, the pasture is excellent, particularly the English clover, which grows here as luxuriantly as in the most congenial spots of its native soil. Captain Cook, in one of his visits to New Zealand, caused a variety of plants to be sown, and on a subsequent visit found that they had prospered under every disadvantage, as from ignorance of their utility, no care appeared to have been taken of them by the natives. Were the science and practical skill, for which the British agriculturist is distinguished, to be applied to the cultivation of the rich soil of New Zealand, we have the strongest reason to believe, from the successful experiments which have been made, that in respect of fertility, it would not be surpassed by any country in the world.

The most remarkable indigenous production of New Zealand, is the Phormium Tenax, or New Zealand flax. This valuable plant, which grows wild in every part of the country, could be cultivated to any extent. All the valuable apparel of the natives is fabricated from the leaves of this plant, of which they also make their fishing lines and every kind of cordage. In Sydney it is manufactured into lines for whalers; excellent rigging for vessels is formed from it, and an experiment lately made for working it into canvass for ships, has been attended with success. Of all vegetable fibres, those of the Phormium are strongest, yielding only in tenacity to those of silk, as will appear from the following comparative statement

The fibre of the Agave Americana breaks under a weight of - 7
Common flax, - - - 11
Phormium, 23 7/11
Silk - - - - -24

The superiority of New Zealand flax to Baltic hemp, admits of no doubt; yet the former may be imported at the rate of eight pounds per ton, which is only about one-seventh of the cost of hemp. That this plant, which nature has bestowed

in such abundance on New Zealand, will become immensely valuable to its inhabitants, when brought to perfection by the instrumentality of European art and industry, cannot admit of doubt. From the want of skill, combined with indolence on the part of the natives, it has hitherto been prepared under every disadvantage; yet the estimation in which it is held, is proved by the extent to which it has been exported. In 1828, sixty tons of this flax, valued at £2,600, were exported from Sydney to London. In 1830, the tonnage of the vessels which cleared out for New Zealand, amounted to 5888 tons. In the same year, twenty-six other vessels arrived from New Zealand, having made in the aggregate, forty-six inland voyages, their total tonnage amounting to 4959 tons. Of seventy-eight vessels which sailed from Sydney for foreign states, South Sea Islands, and fisheries, fifty-six were for New Zealand; and of sixty-four, which from various countries had arrived, forty-six were from the same place. The principal purpose for which all these voyages were undertaken, was to procure New Zealand flax. Have we not, therefore, good reason for believing, that these islands, supplying in such abundance so important a desideratum of commerce, will eventually become the Baltic of the southern hemisphere, and afford the means of employment and support to a numerous and industrious European population.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Mr J. S. Polack. – Had you an opportunity of employing the natives as servants? As farm servants they are admirable, and if the place is colonized, no people will become better farm servants than the New Zealanders.

D. Coates, Esq, – I wish, likewise, to submit to the Committee, some illustration of the progress of agriculture. Mr Davis is at the head of the Society's Farming Establishment, and was previously to his going out to New Zealand, a farmer to a considerable extent in Dorsetshire. He writes in February, 1836. "At this time I have by me in sheaf, not less than 800 bushels of wheat, 600 of which have been grown this year. I do not know what you will think of me, but the steps I have taken in farming, have been the means of making many farmers in this country, both among the missionaries and natives." In July, 1837, he says, "We have this year sown about forty acres of wheat, and from the state of the

land, in connection with rather a promising season, I hope we may expect a favourable crop."

1st December, 1837. – Mr Matthew's says – "The crops are very promising indeed; the Society's wheat bids fairer than ever this summer. The natives too, this year, have some fine crops."

Mr John Flattt – What is the nature of the soil? A very prolific fine stiff loam in one part, and fine vegetable mould in others.

Rev. F. Wilkinson. – Have you any opportunity of judging of the quantity of land uncultivated, with reference to the population? There is a very small quantity uncultivated, considering the population: it is all in potatoes. A great quantity of potatoes may be grown on a small space. They do not grow wheat; that is too much trouble. They would grow it if they could cook it as easily as potatoes; but they hate the trouble of grinding.

C. Enderby, Esq. – "Did you ever try it. (the flax) with Kyan's patent? No; I have not. We use it for whale-lines: we prefer it for whale-lines to any other description of rope; and the whale-lines are the most important lines we have in our vessel. A whole scool of whales may be lost by the parting of a whale-line; property to the amount of £2000 or £3000 may depend upon a whale-line.

Do you conceive that the objection to the New Zealand flax has arisen from the inferiority of the article, or its having been badly prepared? Its having been badly prepared.

Do you conceive that it will become an article of considerable export? I have no doubt of it: the last year there has not been a single bale imported into this country.

CHAPTER V. Forests.

CHAPTER V.

Forests.

NO object in New Zealand excited my admiration more than its forests, which for magnitude and splendour I have never seen equalled in any country which it has been my lot to visit. These forests are composed chiefly of such trees as are well adapted to almost every useful purpose for which timber is employed. Forty-five varieties of trees have been disco-

vered in these forests, many of which are forty feet in circumference. One species, called the Koudi pine, has been found very serviceable, from its strength and straightness, as spars for ships. This wood is regarded by good judges as superior to that brought from the Baltic, which it very much resembles; and from the tree, when young, there exudes a gum, which has been sold for £18 per ton, and by the Americans is manufactured into varnish. Another species, called the cowdie by the natives, the dammara excelsa of botanists, is no less remarkable for its strength and useful properties. It grows to the height of from ninety to a hundred feet, and is usually about fifteen feet in diameter. The wood of this fine tree is considered equal in value to the Norway fir. It is well fitted, by its straightness, for masts, and large purchases have been made of it for the use of the navy. Supplies from the New Zealand forests are shipped not only for England, but also for Van Dieman's Land, Southern Australia, and New South Wales. That these three colonies should be obliged to import timber from New Zealand is a striking fact, which demonstrates the superiority of that country in one very important element of prosperity, and tells strongly in its favour as a field for emigration. Vessels are built in New Zealand without the aid of any other wood than that which its own forests afford, and as the supply of this essentially important commodity is nearly inexhaustible, it may reasonably be supposed that the demand for it will prove a source of immense advantage to that country. The colonist will be indemnified for the expense attending the clearing of his grounds, by the sale of his trees. The cutting down and preparing the timber for exportation, as well as for the use of the colonists themselves, will give immediate, constant, and advantageous occupation to a considerable European population.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Charles Enderby, Esq. – Do they go there (i.e. ships) at all for the purpose of obtaining supplies of any kind? Refreshments, and occasionally a supply of stores; timber for masts, or any thing of that kind.

Spars? Yes.

The timber that grows there is good for spars? Very good; we have seen some remarkably good.

Hon. F. Baring, M. P. – The timber is partiularly good? The timber is particularly good. We have very strong evidence as to the utility of the timber from one of the members

of the Association, Sir William Symond, the surveyor of the navy, who uses it as much as he can for spars for the navy.

If it had been originally a question of planting a colony, that would have been very preferable to Australia, or any other part of the world! It is not only preferable to Australia, but it is very important to Australia; for, in case of war, the possession of it by a foreign country would be very inconvenient to us.

Are you aware from whom the timber which has lately arrived at Portsmouth, for the use of the government, is purchased? The timber is not purchased; they do not purchase the right to cut timber. I believe it is usually done by contract with persons living in the island. They send out choppers, and the wood is taken out of the forest; the natives attach no value to it; no purchase-money is paid for it.

Should you not think, considering the abundance of timber, the position of the island, the harbours, and the climate, that in all probability it will be the great seat of naval power and importance in those seas? I have not the slightest doubt of that.

Mr J. Watkins. – Is the land thought more valuable for bearing a certain quantity of pine upon it? Yes; the Europeans esteem that land very much, and it is found, at the same time, that the leaves and decayed vegetation make the surface of the land very good. In some parts the cowdie forests are very steep. The hills are not high, but they rise almost from the brook to the top of the hill at an angle of perhaps thirty or forty degrees; sometimes forty-five.

Is it a great advantage to have a certain quantity of timber upon an estate? A great advantage. The English frequently will purchase land for their convenience, and endeavour to have the forest of cowdie within the trust.

CHAPTER VI. Harbours.

CHAPTER VI.

Harbours.

WITH respect to the number and security of its bays and harbours, New Zealand may challenge a comparison with any country in the world. From Stewart's Island on the south to Cape Van Dieman on the north, including a space of nearly a

thousand miles, there is a succession of harbours, placed at convenient distances from each other. Each of the two islands constituting New Zealand comprehends a greater number of valuable harbours than are to be found along the whole circumference of coast that encompasses New Holland. The Bay of Islands, which lies at the north-eastern extremity of the northern island, can afford shelter at all seasons to any number of vessels, of whatever size they may be. It is consequently much frequented, particularly by South Sea whalers. These vessels receive here whatever supplies they require of hogs and potatoes. Of the latter valuable esculent the natives make it their business to have such a quantity provided as is sufficient to supply all the ships that visit the bay. The quantity of potatoes which, on an average, each vessel receives is five tons. Of the commercial eminence which, from her vast physical resources, New Zealand is likely to attain tinder British colonization, skill, and enterprise, an anticipation may be formed from the following summary of vessels which visited the Bay of Islands during the year 1836: –

British ships of war

2

Whaling ships .

25

Trading vessels

2

New South Wales trading ships, including vessels owned at New Zealand

25

Van Dieman's Land whaling vessels

4

American whaling vessels

49

[American] trading vessels

49

French whaling ships

3

Tahitian trading vessel

1

Total

151.

Passing from the Bay of Islands to Cook's Straits, the beautiful harbour of Port Nicholson presents itself. To this bay, which is about twelve miles long and three miles broad, the access is easy in all kinds of weather to vessels of any burden. In this spacious bay, at the entrance of which the water is twelve fathoms, all the ships of Europe might anchor in perfect safety. It is situated in a fertile district, and has an open and easy communication with the interior. It lies in the tract of the homeward-bound vessels from Van Dieman's Land and Sydney, and is the centre of the South Sea whale-fishery, which must render it a very convenient station for the resort of such vessels as require to refit or obtain refreshments.

This harbour possesses also the advantage of an easy access to the interior of either the northern or southern island; and behind it there is a very fruitful district, watered by a river, called the Haritona, which is navigable to an extent of nearly a hundred miles.

The western side of the northern island is well supplied with harbours, of which Hokianga is one of the chief. It is situated twenty-four leagues south-east from Cape Maria, Van Dieman, and is a good deal frequented by the whaling vessels. From Hokianga to the Bay of Islands the distance across the country is not more than twenty miles. In the neighbourhood of this harbour the land is of the first quality; and along its banks there is a numerous native population. A purchase of land was made some years ago on the Hokianga by the New Zealand Land Company, on which, therefore, it is probable that the first attempt at colonization by Englishmen will be made. This land is recognized as the property of the Company, and no disposition to question their claim to it has ever manifested itself on the part of the natives, by whom the obligations imposed by a bargain are well understood and faithfully observed. Europeans to about the amount of a hundred, including missionaries, have located themselves at Hokianga, in which place the morals and manners of the natives have been greatly improved, particularly those of the females, by the instruction and example of the married European women who reside among them.

To the south of Hokianga lies the harbour of Waikato, which, from its circumjacent advantages, is likely to become a very important locality. There is a river of the same name, which communicates with this bay, flowing through one of the most beautiful and fertile districts of New Zealand. This river is navigable in boats from the sea to a distance of about two hundred miles. This portion of the country is covered with wood to the water's edge, and the vallies of the interior are remarkable for a most luxuriant vegetation. There are many verdant islands in this river, the soil of which is inferior to none in the country. Grass here is found in great abundance, as also the ferns, which grow to the height of from five to eight feet. This district, possessing every advantage of water communication, requires only to be colonized by an industrious population to render it one of the most valuable agricultural districts in New Zealand.

The harbours on the southern island are equally numerous as on the northern one; and on the south side of Cook's

Straits there are a number of fine bays. On the north-eastern side of the island there is an immense tract of fine level land, extending as far south as Banks' Peninsula. At the south lies Knowlesly Bay, an extensive harbour, into which there runs a fine river, whose extent is about one hundred miles.

The Frith of Thames and its river will, in all probability, become a favourite district. Though it may be considered as only a road-stead, complete shelter to vessels may be obtained under the lee of the many islands which it contains. The British navy has been supplied from the forests of the river Thames with large quantities of fine spars, and other ship timber. The land within which this river is enclosed is equal to any in the country. The immense extent of rich alluvial soil presents a tempting aspect to the colonist, and the climate is not inferior to that of the south of France.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

C, Enderby, Esq. – Are the harbours of New Zealand many? They are very extensive and very numerous.

Captain R. Fitzroy, R.N, – You are a captain in the Royal Navy! I am.

Were you, in the year 1835, in command of one of his Majesty's ships in the South Seas? Yes; in command of the Beagle.

Did you visit any part of the northern or southern islands of New Zealand? Part of the northern island, the Bay of Islands, and a small part of the coast adjacent.

Is that a good harbour? Very good.

For what sized vessels! For vessels drawing less than eighteen feet water it is very good; but for larger ships it is exposed. The harbour which is most used at present is only fit for vessels drawing less than eighteen feet water.

Is there good anchorage-ground? Very good indeed.

Is it called Kororarika? I am not aware that there is any other name excepting that. It is the inner part of the Bay of Islands. In the outer part there is plenty of water for ships of any size, but not sheltered.

There is good anchorage-ground there? Yes, throughout nearly the whole bay.

Are not the natives now serving for hire on board the British and American whalers? Yes, they are.

Does not that lead you to suppose that the natives, as well as the settlers, will be disposed to a maritime life? Yes; their islands are full of excellent harbours.

G. S. Evans, LL.D. – Are there good harbours in the Straits (Cook's)? There are harbours of the first class; we have charts of four harbours within thirty miles of each other, each of which is quite equal to the Cove of Cork.

CHAPTER VII. Commerce.

CHAPTER VII.

Commerce.

THE commerce of New Zealand is only in its infancy; but this infancy is that of a Hercules, from which, when it has reached manhood, we are warranted to expect a giant's strength. It would indeed be difficult, if not impossible, to find in the whole world, a country more amply gifted than New Zealand with commercial capabilities; and there can be no doubt that it will become one of the most flourishing colonies in existence, when its vast resources are properly appreciated and brought into action by British industry and skill.

From May to December, the bays of New Zealand are frequented by what is called the Black or Right Whale; and in the surrounding ocean, not far from land, numerous herds of the Sperm Whale are found. It is no small recommendation of New Zealand as a whaling station, that the whales caught in its vicinity yield a third part more of oil than those of the same size and species taken in any other part of the world. Of the extent to which the pursuit both of the Black and Sperm Whale is engaged in by the Americans, some idea may be formed from the subjoined account of the number of barrels of Sperm and Black Whale Oil imported into the United States during the following years: –

Years.

Brls. Sperm.

Brls. Black.

1834

129824

122292

1835

175130

125100

1836

131921

133050

1837

182567

215120

1838

129400

228710

During 1838, a single mercantile house in Sydney imported into that colony from New Zealand, seventy-one tons of whalebone, which generally sells at £145 per ton in the London market. This article is procured exclusively from the Black

Whale. Now, as each whale yields about five hundred weight of bone, the number of whales killed by the parties connected with the mercantile house alluded to, could not have been fewer than 284, to afford the quantity of bone which that single house required. In the above-mentioned year there arrived in the port of Sydney, thirty-nine vessels from New Zealand, and the same number of departures from Sydney to that island took place. The commercial intercourse of New Zealand with Van Dieman's Land is probably not less, and cargoes of timber have been lately exported from Hokianga for Port Philip and Southern Australia. From a missionary station in the northern island, ten bales of wool, of a very superior quality, were lately forwarded to Sydney, where it fetched a high price, and to the same place a quantity of equally good quality was a short time ago sent from the island of Manna in Cook's Straits. The abundance with which water is diffused throughout all parts of New Zealand must greatly facilitate the getting up of wool for the foreign market.

Of the commercial importance of the Bay of Islands as a general rendezvous for the whalers of the South Sea, an idea may be formed from the following list of arrivals at that harbour in 18S8.

ENGLISH.

1838.

Arrivals.

Ship's name.

Master.

Barrels.

Months out.

Sailed.

Jan.

31

Hope

Ryley

1000

36

Mar. 10

Feb.

16

Jane and Eliza

Rhooks

200

18

29

27

Rifleman

Davis

50

3 1/2

"

28

Diana

Harvey

800

17

31

"

Elizabeth

Currie

1140 S.

24

Mar.

3

Neptune

Nagle

Sundries

10

5

Seringapatam

Wright

2800 S.

38

11

Ann

Pall

1100. S.

22

29

12

Chieftain

Howie

1500 S.

33

18

Buffalo

Wood

H.M.S.

Spars

25

May

16

Hawitt

Apsey

June

13

31

Buffalo

Wood

H.M.S. Spars

16

June

3

Hope

Ryley

1100 S.

10

Seppings

Rawkins

Sundries

17

12

Buffalo

Wood

H.M.S. finished

16

29

Marwhal

Brind

Full

Aug. 4

July

20

Marianne

Kingston

2300

35

Sept. 24

Aug.

30

Patriot

Mullens

Timber

12

Oct.

27

Mars

Anderson

600 S.

Nov. 18

2S

Matilda

Swain

400 S.

Nov.

27

Rifleman

Davis

1000 S.

Dec. 15

Dec

17

Diana

Harvey

70 S.

[1839

20

Pelorus

Harding

H.M.S.

Jan. 6

AMERICAN.

1838

Arrivals.

Ship's Name.

Master.

Barrels.

Months out.

Sailed.

Jan.

3

James Munroe

Plasket

1700 Sperm

37

Feb.

24

"

Mary

Coffin

1500

29

Jan.

13

6

Pantheon

Pell

1900 Bl. and Sp.

29

Feb.

19

4

Rambler

M'Leave

1700

28

Jan.

22

8

Nantucket

Edwards

120 Sperm

13

10

Orizimbo

Sherwin

2600 Blk.

6

31

11

Dartmouth

Starbuck

600 Sperm

18

Feb.

19

"

Hunkas

Clark

1500

28

28

15

Ganges

King

1700 Bl. and Sp.

26

24

Bowditch

Ramsdell

1000 Blk.

26

Mar.

4

Feb

5

Columbus

Ellis

800

6

Feb.

20

Feb

14

Regia

Jackerson

1750

8

15

John Colleshall

Macy

1700 Sperm

28

19

Independence

Davis

20

Vulcan

Trapp

3600 Bl. and Sp.

19

Mar.

15

25

William Thompson

Weeks

4100

23

25

Mar.

5

Thule

Coldman

2000

20

20

12

Atlantic

Russell

1400

28

April

25

13

Luminary

Warens

400

8

Mar.

29

15

Java

Taber

900

8

30

23

Atlas

Russell

Sundries

29

25

Splendid

Luce

1200

April

15

27

Arab

Russell

300

Mar

31

April

3

Rose

Heall

1700

11

5

America

Topham

1000 Bl. and Sp.

6

April

10

8

Richard Mitchell

Cleveland

2400 Bl.

32

May

1

9

Susan

Russell

60 Sp.

5

1

"

Oqua

Manger

1600 B1.

9

1

"

Chariot

Champlin

3200 Bl.

19

2

10

Corinthian

Gardner

1

18

Favourite

Swift

2700 Bl.

10

20

Waverly

Chase

2000 Bl. and Sp.

"

Baltic

Kean

2600 Bl. and Sp.

24

Thomas Dickinson

Harvens

1800 Bl.

9

9

"

Isabella

Taber

2500 Sp.

42

10

May

2

Lexington

Pollard

850 Bl. and Sp.

17

15

10

Statesman

Coffin

Full

June

2

13

Micmac

Starbuck

50 Bl.

4

June

8

White Oak

Burney

17

Aug.

24

Uncas

Clark

1900

Sept.

14

14

Hercules

Finney

900

14

14

21

Rajah

West

Full

10

25

Tybee

Millet

Goods

2

Sept.

22

Corinthian

Gardner

2600

28

30

George Howland

Weeks

Oct.

Oct.

Oct.

2

William Hamilton

Swain

Clean

Nov.

30

Baltic

Keane

Full

29

Nov.

22

Lydia

Ramsdell

1100

Dec.

26

23

Corinthian

Gardner

Full

12

29

Isabella

Davis

50

15

Dec.

2

Parker

Austin

3800 Bl. and Sp.

26

"

Mary

Coffin

2600 Bl. and Sp.

22

15

Lalla Rhook

Bassett

1750 Bl. and Sp.

1839

17

Benezet

Stetson

80

Jan.

3

20

Cadmus

Mayhew

170

1

31

Ganges

King

2400 Bl.

22

FRENCH.

1838. Arrivals.

Ship's name.

Master.

Barrels.

Months out.

Sailed.

Jan. 3

Manche

Le Bailly

400 B.

Feb. 16

10

Angelina

Manger

260 B.

6

Jan. 20

Feb. 2

Nile

Smith

400

6

Mar. 4

15

L'Asia

Jay

1000 S.

7

4

16

Jean Bart

600

8

23

Mar. 12

Gange

Gr. Seigne

900 B.

6

"

April 7

Angelina

Manger

1200 B.

9

April 20

20

L'Oriental

Caspar

2200 B. and S.

28

May 9

24

L'Heroine

Cecille

Corvette

May 11

Mississippi

Rossiter

Full

June 2

June 8

Elizabeth

Amand

2300 B.

10

13

Aug. 16

L'Heroine

Cecille

20

Cosmopolite

3000

14

Sept. 28

21

L'Asia

Jay

1900

12

Sept. 11

Pauline

Guerin

2300

27

22

Adele

Welsh

Full

Oct. 4

Manche

Le Bailly

1100

Dec. 26

6

Venus

De P. Thoire

Frigate

Nov. 10

Nov. 16

La Reunion

Bumpus

Full

21

Meuse

Clean

24

Dec. 20

Nile

Smith

2600

Jan. 20

BREMEN.

April 1

Virgina 1

Fitz

3000 B.

I

April 23

1   The first whale ship
from Bremen that had anchored
in the Bay of Islands.

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES.

Jan. 9

Martha

Hay

Merchandize

26

Jan. 28

24

Micmac

Bears

660 B.

16

Mar. 4

Feb. 8

Nereus

Butcher

700 S.

16

5

15

Governor Halket

Bolger

550 S.

7

17

Nimrod

Milne

29

28

Lady Blackwood

Abbot

140

10

31

"

Woodlark

Grimes

300

10

Mar. 28

Juno

Banks

500

29

26

Martha

Hay

Sundries

April 10

May 16

Vittoria

McDonnell

23

Ann

James

sundries

June 3

June 3

Currencv Lass

Davis

"

24

Harlequin

Anderson

"

July 4

July 1

Lady Leith

Coutts

Aug. 18

Aug. 9

Nimrod

Butler

300

Sept. 12

16

Currency Lass

Davis

Sundries

"

Nov. 2

Jess

Clayton

Oil

Nov. 20

"

Currency Lass

Davis

Sundries

"

Skerne

Catlin

"

"

Jane

Barber

"

Dec. 15

Dec. 13

Clarkstone

Allen

550 S.

22

20

Elizabeth

Munns

Sundries

Jan. 7

HOBART TOWN, VAN DIEMAN'S LAND.

1838. Arrivals.

Ship's name.

Master.

Barrels.

Months out.

Sailed.

Jan. 26

Elizabeth

Anderson

Sundries

Jan. 31

Sept. 14

Highlander.

Lovitt

450 B.

Oct. 2

NEW ZEALAND.

Mar. 5

Uletea

Waddy

From Society Islands

Mar. 9

8

Trent

Wing

Sundries

12

Hokianga

Lauriston

Timber

28

Dec. 31

Tokivau

Wing

Ditto

COASTERS.

Jan. 10

Dublin Packet

Leathart

Sundries

Jan. 25

21

Hope

L'Orant

From Tahiti with Sugar

Feb. 1

Who does not see from the preceding list, which, however, exhibits the arrivals at only one port, that New Zealand is a country whose resources are worth developing. It requires, indeed, no prophetic power to foretel that a brilliant destiny must await a country, which though only in the infancy of her career, attracts to her shores so extensive a portion of commercial enterprise.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Mr J. Watkins. – What was the great article of trade in those islands when you were there? With regard to the shipping, flax was the greatest article of trade; the other ships merely put in to refit.

Where does the flax go to? To Sydney chiefly; it grows very luxuriantly in the marshy ground.

Is it cultivated? No; it grows spontaneously. The blossom of the flax is very full of nectary.

J. B. Montefiore, Esq. – Did they (the natives) appear to you to be aware of the nature of a bargain? Yes; quite so; in fact, so much so, that at this moment I know of a large establishment which I once possessed; it is not under my superintendence, because I have sold it to a trader at Poverty Bay; he frequently gives them credit, and is always honestly discharged. Some traders have large quantities of stores in various parts; the ships have come in and endeavoured to induce them to sell the flax ordered for other parties; but nothing on earth would induce them to sell it to them.

You think they are disposed to be faithful? Yes; but still I think that dishonesty is rather innate.

What were the articles of trade you obtained from them? (i.e. from New Zealand.) I see in 1837, since I have been home, my firm in Sydney being the agent for parties who are cultivating in Poverty Bay large quantities of maize wheat, and potatoes; trading for flax, pork, hogs lard, whalebone, oil, and every thing the country abounds in; a variety of products which are very valuable and useful.

Does it appear to you that the soil is adapted for the cultivation of wheat? Yes; for the finest wheat in the world. – New South Wales is not a wheat country; but I have seen very large plump grain from New Zealand. New Zealand is not subject to droughts.

Rev. S. Hinds, D.D. – It will be the intention of this Association, as far as they are able, to control the trade throughout New Zealand? Certainly.

A British merchant would not be able to trade with any port in New Zealand, except under such regulations as the Association shall allow? That is what we wish to effect.

You are under no apprehension that the charge of port duties there would drive the whalers to some of the other islands in the Pacific? No, I think not; the advantages would be so great of dealing with civilized persons, I should hardly expect they would go to any ports of savages; the supply of better provisions, and other conveniences, would be worth more to them than the value of the duties.

Are you not aware that there are other islands in the Pacific where the whalers and other ships can get refreshments? Yes, and perhaps refreshments equal to those now obtained in New Zealand; but the establishment of a colony will make the refreshments to be obtained in New Zealand much more abundant, and of a better kind.

Hon. F. Baring, M.P. – Do yon know whether the trade has fallen off the last two or three years? It has increased.

In the article of flax? No, I do not think there has been any great increase as to flax; but there has been an increase as to fisheries; and wherever there is an increase in fisheries, there is an increase in the number of vessels sent out; for there are stores sent out for the supply of the whaling ships.

G. S. Evans, LL.D. – Have you ever considered what might form the principal source of our customs revenue in our colonies? All kinds of supplies from India, and so forth.

Articles of prime necessity? Yes; articles of prime necessity brought from India, China, and South America, for example.

Of course intended and brought there for the consumption of the colonies; not in transitu, for the purposes of trade? There is no doubt there would be a very considerable trade of that kind, from the favourable position of New Zealand, commanding, as it does, the whole western coast of America.

If, within the pale of the colony, customs and duties should be levied on the importation of merchandise, would not persons resort to other ports beyond your limits, for the purpose of evading your duties? If those duties were excessive, no doubt they would; but if they were no more than a mere compensation for the advantages afforded, self-interest would induce them still to resort to those ports.

CHAPTER VIII. Quadrupeds

CHAPTER VIII.

Quadrupeds.

IT is somewhat remarkable, that in so large a portion of country as New Zealand, there should not be any indigenous quadrupeds. The dog, according to a tradition still existing among the natives, was bestowed on the island, at a very remote period, by a number of divinities, who made a friendly descent on its shores. The name of a dog formerly was pero, which countenances the supposition that the country had been visited by Juan Fernandez, pero in the Spanish language, signifying a dog. These animals are unkindly treated, and ill fed. They are often killed by their ungrateful masters, for the sake of their skins, which is fabricated into dresses cut into curtilinear stripes. The chiefs seem to attach as much importance to these habiliments as a newly created nobleman does to the star and garter. It is scarcely necessary to add, that those who hesitate not to include in their gastronomical preparations, the bodies of their fellow-creatures, will feel no scruple in consigning those of their dogs to the same destiny. Such is the reward which these useful animals receive for their attachment and fidelity.

The puerko, (so the natives name the pig or hog,) has proved himself to be a highly beneficial importation to the

country, where he thrives as well, if not better, than on his native soil. The soft loose mould of the vallies easily yields to the operations of his snout, and the root of the fern and of the thistle, yield him an abundance of the most grateful food. These animals feel as much pleasure in accompanying their friends on a journey, as the dogs in Scotland do in following their masters; and one of them, with whom I had contracted an intimate acquaintance, got so fond of my society, that he would not permit me to be without the honour of his company at no time, unless insurmountable impediments were placed in his way. The pigs of New Zealand are as much caressed by their young mistresses, as the ladies' lap dogs are in this country; and so strongly do they insinuate themselves into the good graces of the women, that they are sometimes fed from the breast with the nourishment which nature intended for the exclusive use of animals of a higher order.

Hogs are a species of property, of high value in New Zealand; and a man is accounted wealthy, in proportion to the number of them which he possesses. The rearing of them is therefore very sedulously attended to by the native farmer; and in such numbers are they produced, that the numerous whalers who frequent the harbours are supplied with them, to whatever extent they require. They grow to such a size, that I have seen some of the wilder kind caught in the bushes, each of which weighed three hundred pounds.

The Kiore, or rat, has long been an inhabitant of New Zealand, into which he was transported by European vessels. He is not regarded by the New Zealanders with the disgust that his appearance excites in our own country. He is considered as a valuable present; and his presence is thought to be no small recommendation of the feast at which it makes its appearance. But notwithstanding all the encomiums which the hospitable New Zealanders bestowed on the flesh of this animal, to induce me to partake of it, I found it impossible to vanquish the Scottish prejudices with which I still continued to regard it.

The puhihi, or pussey-cat, has been, from what I could gather from the natives, a denizen of New Zealand for about thirty years. The introduction of this animal has enriched the gastronomy of the natives, by whom its flesh is as much relished as that of a turtle by a London alderman. Its skin, too, is very highly prized, and gives no little consequence to the chief whom it adorns. None of our petits maitres could derive more pleasure from being arrayed in the ne plus ultra

of dandyism, than the sprigs of New Zealand aristocracy do from the enviable distinction alluded to, which, however, is now getting scarce from the process of extermination to which the poor cats are subjected. The emigrant who has a cat must guard it vigilantly, it he wish to keep it in his possession, as there is no European commodity which the natives are more inclined to pilfer. On one or two occasions I was importuned to taste this animal, the delicacy of whose flesh was lauded in the highest terms; and as I obstinately refused compliance with the wishes of my entertainers, they indulged in a hearty laugh at what they considered a most absurd scrupulosity and bigotted adherence to national prejudices.

The sheep which were imported into the country by the benevolent Cook have not been allowed to prosper, from the hostility of the native dogs, by which they have been hunted down, and in a great measure destroyed. These animals are not likely to thrive well in New Zealand; they are chiefly useful as food. With respect to the rearing of sheep, New Zealand will never, it is conceived, be able to compete with New Holland, where the aridity of the climate is far more favourable to pastoral than to agricultural purposes. Some wool, however, of a very superior quality, has been exported from New Zealand to Sydney.

The cattle which have been introduced into the country, are in a thriving condition, and nothing is wanted to ensure their increase to any extent that may be required, but the providing of proper provender for them, which from the soil being peculiarly well adapted for the growth of grass and clover, will not be a difficult task.

The horse is a great favourite in New Zealand, where there can be little doubt he is destined to act an important and useful part in the improvements that will be effected on the face of that country, when the civilization and institutions of Great Britain are introduced into it, and this, from its obvious and irresistible recommendations as a colony, is at no remote period likely to take place.

The ass also, has found admission to New Zealand; but his change of country has left him in full possession of his indigenous dispositions and habits, which usually cling both to man and beast throughout all the vicissitudes of their fortune. He thrives well, however, on the abundant pasturage of the country of which he may in time become a useful member, when its necessities shall call into action the capabilities with which he is endowed. The New Zealanders are fond of mimicry

and often derive merriment from imitations of the braying of the ass, which some of them hit off very well.

CHAPTER IX. Fish – Springs – Lakes – Minerals – Birds.

CHAPTER IX.

Fish – Springs – Lakes – Minerals – Birds.

IT is remarkable that New Zealand, like Ireland, enjoys a fortunate exemption from all reptiles of a poisonous description, or which possess inclinations and powers destructive to the life of man. The shores, rivers, creeks, &c, abound with a great variety of excellent fish, equal in taste and flavour to those obtained in Europe. At certain seasons, the coast is visited by large shoals of different kinds. When these visitations take place, the natives are on the alert with their sieves, and lay up a store sufficient to meet their winter necessities. On the eastern coast there are some deep banks on which the cod-fish and salmon are found in great abundance; and it is the opinion of all who have visited this part of the Pacific, that I have had an opportunity of conversing with on the subject, that fish of a more agreeable taste, or better flavour, than it affords, are not any where to be found. Of the mackarel and skate, there are several varieties, besides the haddock, the cole fish, the dog-fish, &c. Many of these, in excellence and size, are not surpassed by any of their kind to be found in any part of the world. The large fish, which frequent the coast in great numbers, are the sperm whale, the right whale, the sun fish, &c. The shark, the pilot fish, the flying fish, also visit the coast, particularly the river Thames, in large shoals, and are laid up by the natives for their winter provision.

Nor has nature been less bounteous to this highly favoured country in crustaceous and testaceous fish, with which the beaches on the whole line of coast are abundantly replenished: these are, corms, mussels, limpets, wilks, cockles, star-fish, crays, and oysters. The mussels produced on our coasts are Lilliputians, compared with those of New Zealand, some of which expand to a foot in length. These are imbedded in a perpendicular position, and I have found myself perfectly satisfied with one of these gigantic mussels, even when pretty keenly appetized. On the sand banks and sandy beaches,

shell fish, of an excellent quality, are found in great abundance, as also a variety of sea hedge-hogs, one of which that I brought home with me, I have still in my possession, as well as some other curiosities, natural and artificial, which I obtained in New Zealand. Of the crustaceous genus, there is the kohuda, or cray-fish, about the size of our lobster, and resembling it in flavour. It is found among the rocks at the recession of the tide. The natives obtain it by loosening its hold of its bed with a strong and sudden jerk of their feet. The quantity of shrimps and crabs which the coasts afford, may be considered as almost inexhaustible.

There are a number of places in New Zealand, characterized by volcanic action. All the islands in the bay of Wakani, exhibit unquestionable evidence of having recently been in a state of ignition. All of them contain boiling springs, sulphur, and volcanic glass. In Whale Island there are also many boiling springs, which are also found in many parts of the extensive plains. These boiling springs are much resorted to by the natives, and when their temperature is abated by the winter's cold, they will sit for hours immersed in them. When the springs are too hot, cold water is let into them from the adjoining lake. The natives render these springs subservient to the purposes of cookery. They dig a hole in the ground near the boiling spring, into which they put their provisions, covering them up with the surrounding earth. In half an hour the cooking is completed, and the meat tastes as well as though it had been roasted in one of our baker's ovens. In New Zealand the ideas of chastity are less refined than those entertained by civilized nations. In enjoying the luxury of the warm bath, all ages and sexes promiscuously co-mingle.

There are strong indications of the existence of coal, particularly in the River Thomas' district, which appears to be amply stored with this important article. How far the supposition is correct, that New Zealand contains large fields of coal cannot, however, be determined, until it shall be geologically surveyed. There is plenty of quartz, and in various places of the islands, large masses of excellent marble are found. Freestone, which will be a great desideratum, when a European colony is established, is quite common in the country. The beds of the rivers contain iron pyrites; and dust, apparently of the same mineral, has been found; from which it may be inferred that the attempts which will doubtless be made to discover useful ores will not be fruitless.

Of cascades and waterfalls, precipitated from dizzy eleva-

tions, there are many in these islands, produced by their mountainous nature, and the ample supply of moisture which they receive. One of these natural curiosities is to be seen in the vicinity of Dusky Bay, which is thirty feet in diameter, and one thousand feet in height.

There are not only large lakes on all the table lands, but even on the summits of the high mountains. Some of these lakes in the larger island, are understood to be nearly eighty miles in circumference. These inland lakes are the sources of the many rivers which confer such invaluable physical advantages on these islands by flowing through them in every possible direction. They sometimes overflow their banks, but rarely beyond two feet in perpendicular height. The more extensive rivers are salt; but by the fresh water streams which descend from the mountains, and meander through the vallies, the country in general is abundantly irrigated.

New Zealand abounds with birds, but they are generally of small size, and are inferior in musical capability to the British songsters. Of wood pigeons there is great abundance between January and April. Their flesh is considered a great luxury. The ducks seek their abode about deserted creeks, or unfrequented rivers, and retreat to the most sequestered places they can find at the approach of man. They have a variegated plumage, and the largest are about the size of a Muscovy duck. Bats are very common; but there are none of the vampire species, and when

"Twilight grey has in her sober livery all things clad,"

perched on a forest tree,

"The moping owl does to the moon complain,
"Of such as wandering near her secret bower,
"Molest her ancient solitary reign."

Our turkey, goose, duck, hen, and mate, have been long colonized, but they are seldom made use of as food by the natives, who prefer disposing of them to masters of ships, from whom they get as good a price for them as they would bring in the British market.

CHAPTER X. Mutual advantages accruing to Great Britain and New Zealand from the colonization of the latter country.

CHAPTER X.

Mutual advantages accruing to Great Britain and New Zealand from the colonization of the latter country.

If the British government do not undertake the colonization

of New Zealand, the British people will colonize it for themselves, for the tide of emigration towards that country has set in with so strong an impetus, that nothing will be able to control its force. But why should Britain decline an undertaking which is not only in unison with the spirit of her constitution, and the policy on which she professes to act, but from which she would derive incalculable advantages. For any expense with which the undertaking in question might be attended, Britain would soon be repaid with ample interest, and so far from being a loser, would be a great gainer by the bargain. New Zealand, from the superabundance of her internal resources, as well as from the locality in which she is situated, will become not only the granary, but the protector of all the other colonies established on the coast of New Holland. The salubrity of the climate, the fertility of the soil, the extent of the forests, the rivers (hat in all directions flow through the surrounding lands, affording an easy conveyance to the marketable commodities of the agriculturist, give to New Zealand an obvious and decided superiority over any of the colonies of New Holland.

The capital expended in effecting the colonization of New Zealand will yield a very profitable return to all parties concerned. There is no country where the emigrant on his arrival will meet with a more plentiful supply of the necessaries of life, or in which a person willing to engage in a moderate degree of labour may calculate on receiving a more constant employment, or a more certain and liberal remuneration for his services. In the ample bosom of New Zealand, favoured beyond most other countries with all the elements of national prosperity, how many thousands of the half-starved inhabitants of the north and west of Scotland might find an agreeable retreat; in which, with the exertion of moderate industry, they might arrive at comfort and independence.

In a political view, the possession of New Zealand as a colony by the British government, would be of great importance; for if a war was breaking out between Britain ana Russia, whose present ruler evidently looks with a covetous eye towards our possessions in the East Indies, the value of New Zealand as an appendage to this country would he demonstrated. Supplies of timber and flax, to any amount, could be obtained from its forests and fields. The latter staple can be very successfully cultivated in such marshy lands as are not so well adapted for ether agricultural productions-. This article of commerce, that we have hitherto imported, would throw

into the hands of our own merchants, the sums given to foreigners, and open a new and extensive field of exertion to capitalists, manufacturers, and mechanics.

The colonization of New Zealand, and the consequent civilization of the natives, would communicate a highly beneficial impulse to our manufactories at home, by opening up a new market for the exportation of their commodities, and thus lessening to our own industrious population, a grievance to which they are every now and then subjected, viz. the chances of that distress which is the consequence of their being thrown out of employment.

In calculating the consequences that will result from the colonization of New Zealand, the physical, intellectual, and moral improvement that may be expected to accrue to the natives from their amalgamation with the inhabitants of our own country, and equal participation in the benefit of our institutions, will not be lost sight of by the philanthropic mind. The gloomy mythology of New Zealand – a fruitful source of misery to the natives will disappear, when the light of Christianity breaks in upon their minds. Self-destruction, a practice to which they are frequently urged by the violence of their ungovernable passions, will cease. The wife will no longer, at the death of her husband, put a period to her existence, nor when a chief dies will a sacrifice be made of the lives of his unfortunate slaves. The unnatural hand of the mother will be withheld from the horrid practice of extinguishing the life of her offspring. The wretched beings, whom the chances of war have made slaves, will no longer dread the fatal blow to which they are continually exposed, when an entertainment is to be given by their master, or when his own cannibal propensities are excited. The women, far sunk below their natural level, and groaning under the weight of a miserable existence, will obtain from the hardier sex that attention and respect to which, from their more amiable dispositions, and their important domestic services, and even from their comparative feebleness, they have so just a claim.

Such will be the triumphs of civilization over barbarism; of good government over lawless rule, upheld by brute force; of Christianity over the absurd and cruel rites which the sanguinary divinities of New Zealand exact from their ignorant and deluded worshippers. Dead must that heart be to all the better feelings of our nature, as well as to the influence of that religion, whose spirit we profess to have imbibed, which would

not rejoice at the introduction of such advantages as these into one of the most beautiful and interesting portions of our globe.

CHAPTER XI. General information respecting New Zealand, obtained on the spot, by individuals who have personally visited that country.

CHAPTER XI.

General information respecting New Zealand, obtained on the spot, by individuals who have personally visited that country.

MINUTES OF EVIDENCE.

Mr J. Watkins. – Had you an opportunity of judging whether they understood, as among themselves, the rights of property? Oh yes, thoroughly; they keep any engagement with a European sacred and binding. The natives are a very fine race of people, very intellectual, and capable of any improvement; their foreheads are very high, and very broad, quite as fine as those of our English population in appearance. There is a great difference between the appearance of the natives of New Zealand and the natives of Australia. The natives of Australia are very inferior in point of intellect; their foreheads are very flat, and recede very much, and they are weakly in appearance. The natives of New Zealand are very bold, stout, and athletic; some of the men are six feet high, and stout in proportion. Thori was of that description, one of the finest men I ever saw.

In your opinion of the land, you know which had been sold there at the time, and before you were there, was a fair and proper price given for it? I have no doubt that the natives considered it so; they are perfectly satisfied with the price.

Are there many Europeans that are killed in frays? No; they never kill the Europeans to my knowledge; they are very tenacious of retaining them in their tribes, for the sake of the emolument they procure them. These men make their bargains with the masters of vessels, and get perhaps a higher price than they can get themselves.

Do you find that when the influence of the missionaries has been great, there has been a decrease in their mutual wars, and their manners have been softened? Yes; the chiefs who have embraced the Christian doctrine, I believe I may venture to say positively, never go to war.

You have said, that in one instance, a musket was given for clearing; is the land generally bought quite uncleared? Yes; unless there may be a little garden of the natives on the spot; but in general it is uncleared.

By clearing, yon mean cutting down the timber? Yes; and getting up the roots of the fern, that the land may be ploughed.

When a chief sells his land, does he consider himself as foregoing all title to further right over that land that would otherwise have belonged to him as chief? I have no doubt he does; he gives up the whole possession. With regard to the government part, I cannot say whether that is well understood or not; perhaps he has no idea of that; but with regard to the possession of the land, he has not the slightest idea of ever possessing it again.

He ceases to exercise upon the land so sold any authority? Yes; his authority ceases from the moment of selling the land – Kiri Kiri exemplified that; the chief gave up the land after being sold, and emigrated to East Cape.

Though that land so sold amounts to considerable tracts, the whole of it is left without any law or authority whatever? Without the slightest. When a large native village-used to be on that spot, when I visited it, there were not half-a-dozen native houses to be seen.

Where you find a tribe at all under the influence of Christianity, do you find that it is a divided worship, or that they have thrown away their idols? That, they have entirely thrown away their idols, and some have built churches of their own accord. The church at Paihia is three times the size of this room. I have seen that quite full, and I have seen canoes going on the Sunday morning with natives to various villages around; the canoe had perhaps five or six natives going together; one would be put down at one village, and another of them at another, till all had left but the last, who would go a little further; he would remain till he thought it time to return to the respective settlements, calling for those he had left, so that each one would be reading the prayers, and so on with the various natives.

Mr John Flatt. – What do you consider to be the number of Europeans in the island when you were there? I consider there were five hundred convicts and runaway sailors on the sea-coast, not in the interior.

In what sort of way do they live? They lead a most reckless life, by keeping grog-shops, selling spirituous liquors both

to Europeans and natives, living with the native females in a most discreditable way, so that the natives have told me in their own language, "to teach my own countrymen first before I taught them." They have called us a nation of drunkards, or mad with drink; the form of the word imports madness. This arose from their seeing a majority of Europeans of that stamp in New Zealand.

Did you find the natives generally intelligent? Very intelligent, not at all inferior in point of intellect to Europeans.

Do you consider that if there were any government established in New Zealand, it would be right to fix or to inquire into the titles of the British subjects who now claim to have land in that country? I think it would be quite essential. Do you conceive it would be also essential that in certain parts of the country that districts should be assigned for any natives, so that they should not be driven out of the country by the chiefs selling the whole of the land? If the natives would cultivate it; but they are not in the habit of cultivating any more than is absolutely necessary.

Do you think, if the progress of civilization continues to increase, seeing the great advantage the Europeans make by their land, they would perhaps be induced to follow the example of the Europeans? I have no doubt that they would; that they would be willing to purchase again in the same way as the Europeans.

How could they find the money? They would procure it by honest labour, which they have done already in some instances. I have known a New Zealander take L.7 to the Bay of Islands, to lay out in articles for himself and his family, which he had earned from the missionaries and different settlers; that man I refer to was employed as a carpenter.

They have considerable intercourse with Australia, have they not; sending articles there? Yes.

Is that principally timber? Timber and flax and pork.

Do they receive from Australia British articles sent there? Either from Australia or from England; blankets, axes, adzes, knives, razors, and many other articles.

J. B. Montefiore, Esq. – Did the natives appear to make a distinction, in speaking of Europeans who had behaved ill, and those who had behaved well? Quite so; I received every attention. The chiefs made it a practice, when I went ashore, to give up to me their whole establishment, and to make me as comfortable as possible; they were most hospitable.

Do you think it is expedient that the northern island should

be taken possession of in the name of the British government or not? I always thought that the northern island should be taken possession of in the name of the British government; but at the same time I do think it is a very gigantic undertaking; and I think that a great many difficulties must be encountered; but with a humane and civil government such as we have, I think it might be accomplished, because I think the natives are fully aware of our power, and that they would be very willing, by the purchase of their territory, to give it up, provided they retained a rank and position in the island, and were left sufficient land for such purposes as they might require.

Were the natives you saw most of them heathens or Christians? I should think they were heathens; but they are such a fine intelligent race of people, and susceptible of high intellectual attainments, any thing could be made of them. I have had them down in the cabin of the ship, and shown them a chart of the world, and after two or three days they have told me, "That is New Zealand, that is England, that is South America, that is New South Wales." They are very quick; they build very fine canoes. They frequently cross over from the northern island to the southern island, across Cook's Straits; and they will for some days study the appearances of the celestial hemisphere before they return.

What inducement do you think would be sufficient to induce them to give up their independence? I think calling the chiefs together, and making them a compensation; proposing terms such as the government might think were equitable.

Do you conceive the chiefs would be very well pleased to find out that the sovereignty of these islands being taken by Great Britain would instantly free every slave in them? I do not think they would be pleased; but I think if this country were to give them compensation, that they would be satisfied.

If you were to give them £20,000,000? No: it would not require millions, nor many thousands. Their love of trade and barter, and possessing some of the luxuries of life, now is so great, I think they would give them up for a fair compensation. We none of us like to give up our property without some return.

You do not think they would be willing to part with their land or their authority without an equivalent? Decidedly not.

That equivalent being what we should consider a valuable consideration? Yes.

In our eyes, as well as theirs? I should think £20,000 or £30,000 would do the whole, by their receiving very hand, some presents; making them presents of ships, perhaps, to give them a little power; making them an important body in their own estimation.

Charles Enderby, Esq. – Have you ever mixed any New Zealanders with the crews of those ships? (whaling vessels.)

We have, and have some at the present time.

What is the character your captains give of them? Generally steady good seamen.

What sort of characters do the captains report of the New Zealanders, as to their general conduct and behaviour? We find the New Zealanders in our service behave much better than the British seamen; we have invariably found them well behaved good seamen. I am sorry I cannot say the same of the British in all cases.

Do you think that if the British Resident, (Mr Busby, appointed in 1835,) had power to arrest those who offended the law, that would prevent those irregularities which occur? The authority would not be sufficient unless he had power to enforce it.

Suppose he had a ship of war stationed there? I think that might prevent those acts of insubordination on the part of British crews; but that would not stop those of Americans, who visit it in as great number as the British.

Can you state any other mode which would have the effect? The only way I can think of, is to colonize the islands. There is no union among the chiefs; there is no supreme authority. I believe its natives are friendly to it.

By colonizing, you mean depriving the natives of all sovereign authority? I think they are willing to yield that up; they would wish to have some laws laid down, by which they might be themselves protected; they would not be disposed to to interfere with it.

Mr J. S. Polack. – -Do you think that they (the natives) would look to the introduction of more Europeans as a mode of introducing quiet in the country? They would undoubtedly.

Are they intelligent with respect to the cultivation of their lands? There is no nation more intelligent on land, or on any other subject. Asa proof of that, there is at the present moment sailing out of Sydney, a Mr Bailey, a New Zealander, chief of the tribe of Waitangi, in the Bay of Islands; he is

chief officer of the Earl Stanhope whale ship; and if he had not been a foreigner, as a New Zealander, he would long since have had the command of the vessel. There are at the present moment sailing on the Pacific Ocean, ships with cargoes worth from £20,000 and upwards, steered by New Zealanders day and night. When they had an opportunity of being instructed, they have shown great ability; their farms have astonished every stranger who has seen them; every one is surprised at seeing the beauty of their land, the weeding of it, and the regularity of every thing.

Has the native population decreased? It has.

Do you account for that chiefly by war? No; I think the principal cause is infanticide. I have seen many women who have destroyed their children, either by abortion, or after their birth, putting them into a basket, and throwing them into the sea, after pressing the frontal bones of their heads.

Why have they done that? I have had conversation with them upon it. I saw a girl one day, and knowing she was pregnant, I said, "Where is the child?" The answer was, *'gone." "Gone where, where is it gone too?" "I killed it," was the answer, with the greatest apathy. I felt rather curious at the moment, and showed it. She said, "what a fool you are! it was not yours." I said, "I am aware of that." She then described how it was done. They destroy the children generally by pressing the nose until life is extinct. I said, "How would you have liked if your mother had served you the same?" She said, "Oh I would have been pleased at it; I should not have been the poor miserable thing I have been, to be knocked about by a master or a husband.

Is this woman a slave? A free woman; one of the middling class. Another woman was supposed to have killed eight children of her own. She had two children by the master of a whaler. Their principal reason is that they have not food to bring them up when unmarried; it is principally the unmarried women who have the trouble of procuring them food; they cannot go about their plantations, for they have nobody to take care of their children.

Why should the trouble of getting food have increased in consequence of Europeans having settled there? I should not say the crime of infanticide has increased; on the contrary it has decreased much since Europeans have been amongst them.

Is your land cultivated by free men or slaves? Those I have had, have been principal chiefs, and also slaves. Some-

times the master has made an agreement that I should give himself a blanket, and the slave some victuals.

There is very little difference in their remuneration between a free man and a slave? Very little between the greatest chief and the most abject fellow. Reckoning himself as a chief perhaps, one would say, "You must give me something more, I am a chief."

You state them to be very intelligent and active as mariners and agricultural servants; do you believe they could not cultivate their own land, and navigate their own seas, provided there were not Europeans, and without the Europeans having possession of their territory? No; they must have Europeans, and they must be employed by Europeans; they must nave civilized persons to employ them.

If the Europeans will purchase the produce, will they not raise it? Yes; but they have raised only sufficient for their daily wants, not putting by any thing for a future day. They have immense tracts of land lying useless.

Rev. F. Wilkinson. – Had you an opportunity of observing, whether among the natives who had not had the advantage of being visited at all by the missionaries, there was any notion of religion? The second night that I slept in the Bush in New Zealand, I came to a native's house, and was exceedingly tired; he begged of me to stop there, and made me very comfortable indeed. They gave me a clean blanket, and plenty of fern to sleep on, which I did. After their supper, which was potatoes, they got their book down, which was their Testament, (they most of them had a Testament,) and read a chapter out of the Testament, and the family collected round, and afterwards they knelt and prayed, and then we retired to rest. In the same way they began the day next morning. That man was not a baptized Christian, but he was a Christian. I have seen him at the service afterwards; but he had not yet been baptized, nor any of his family. He belonged to the Church Missionary station at Waimate.

From what you saw of the chiefs, do you think they are enabled to make a fair bargain in the sale of their land to Europeans? I do not; I think they ought to be treated like wards in Chancery; that they have not the experience to make it.

You would then think it desirable, that if a colony was encouraged to go there, there should be some persons on the part of the English government, to see that the chiefs had fair play? Certainly; I should treat them like wards in Chancery. What should you think would be the feeling of the chiefs,

if on any plan of occupation and colonization they would be invited to give up all their territorial and sovereign rights? I think they would be very glad of it.

Nayti, (a New Zealand chief). You belong to the Kawia tribe in New Zealand? Yes.

The chief is Raupero? Yes.

Your father is first cousin to Raupero? Yes.

Is your father an old man? Yes, his hair is white.

Your tribe live in Cloudy Bay in Cook's Straits? Yes.

You came to Europe in a French whaling ship? Yes.

The captain told you, if you came to France, you should see Louis Phillippe? Yes. But you did not see Louis Philippe did you? No.

You did not know that the captain intended to make you work? I did not know it until I came on board the ship. The captain came to me, and said, I should see Louis Phillippe, if I would go with him. I did not know that the captain intended to make me work; I was glad to see Louis Phillippe, and I came on board the ship; and then when I came a little way, the captain said, "Now you go and pull that rope," and he made me work the whole way.

New Zealand women kill their children sometimes; do they not? Sometimes they do.

Why do they kill the children? Because they have too many.

They kill boys as well as girls? Yes, they kill boy and girl when they have too many.

They only kill them when they are quite little? Yes; he comes to-day, and then they kill him. Do the New Zealand women very often kill their little children? No; some women do it; not many. They like nine or ten; they do not like any more; then they kill them.

Would you like that New Zealand should be under the English Queen, to be like England? I would like the English Queen, but as to other people I do not know. I am afraid to say any thing respecting my own countrymen, for fear that your English people when they go there should find it is not true; then I should be ashamed of it.

Are not New Zealand men very often ashamed of the English sailors and convicts, those who frequent the grog-shops? Yes; they are ashamed.

If you went back, should you keep on your English clothes, or go back in the dress of your tribe? If I go to New Zealand, I put off English clothes, because they will be soon worn

out, and I cannot get others; but if I am with English people, I wear English clothes.

Do you think the other New Zealand people do so too? I think so, that they would like them.

Do you think if a captain told a New Zealander he would give him powder and blankets to bring away a runaway sailor he would do it? If a man were to run away; if a captain came and offered powder or musket, or a blanket, the chief would go and bring the man back again for it

Do you know Mana? It is there. Does it belong to your tribe? Yes. Mr Barrow of Sydney bought Mana, did not he? Yes.

Did he give a large gun for it? Yes.

Which do you consider the best island to have land in; the north or the south island? The northern island is a great deal better than the southern. There are many high mountains in the south.

Would you like New Zealand to be under English laws, that if a man killed another, he should be punished as he is in England? People like me do not understand; but the children who are taught would like English people, and would like that.

How many wives and children have most of the New Zealand chiefs? Some have two, three, and four wives. I do not know, I cannot tell, how many children they have.

Have any of them as many as ten children? Yes; some of them.

How many children will a New Zealand woman have before she kill any of them? Some seven, some eight; then they begin.

Rev. S. Hinds, D.D. – What in your opinion is the policy of colonizing New Zealand? I think that a colony will be expedient in the first place, on account of the number of persons, of various classes, in Great Britain, who are anxious to settle themselves in a colony in New Zealand. Persons who, from character, station, and other circumstances, have a claim upon the British Parliament to facilitate their object. The feeling in favour of such a colony is very strong in certain districts. I could name particularly some districts in Scotland. It was only within the last three months that I received a letter from Paisley stating, that if a colony were founded in New Zealand, on the principles laid down in our publications, in that neighbourhood alone there were a hundred respectable persons – indeed, I am not sure whether the expression was not respect-

able families, but I have not the letter – who would emigrate immediately. Other letters, of a similar character, had been received previously to this, and the feeling is so strong among persons of various descriptions in Great Britain, that I should say it amounted to a claim upon the British Parliament. With many of them it is a measure of relief; their circumstances require some change for the better, and they look forward to this colony as a measure of relief. There is a great mass of the labouring population who can no longer obtain sufficient wages to keep up what have become the necessaries of life to them.

You have stated to the Committee your opinion on the point of colonizing New Zealand; what particular advantage would it be to go to New Zealand, instead of Canada, or South Australia? That is a matter which I think may be safely left to their own discretion; but I should say, that among other advantages, they would probably find the climate more favourable, the situation perhaps more suitable for their commercial views, and they would expect perhaps a better soil.

Will you state to the committee your opinion as to the right this country has to take possession of New Zealand? I conceive that civilized people have a right, an inherent right, over countries that have not been subject to civilization, whether these countries are uninhabited or partially inhabited by savages, who are never likely themselves to cultivate the country. Here is a country considered to be populous for a savage country: according to the estimate made by a respectable missionary of the Church Missionary Society, the inhabitants of the northern island amount to about 105,000. This northern island is probably the size of England, and this its population of 105,000 stated to be decreasing in number, without the least chance of their, ever becoming cultivators or sovereigns of the soil. I hold it to be no infringement of any natural rights to claim the sovereignty of the island; and this is a claim which, until lately, would never have been questioned.

G. S. Evans, LL.D. – You consider that the absolute sovereign title to these two islands is at this time in the crown of England? According to the received law of nations, I have no doubt of that.

Your preference to New Zealand would be because you understand it to be a colony of the Crown, and a climate you would prefer? Those are two considerations; and the other is, that Australia appears adapted exclusively to those persons

who would employ their capital in wool and the feeding of sheep. New Zealand is a country with a great variety of productions and resources.

Captain R. Fitzroy, R. N. – -Since the country has been visited and occupied by Europeans, have they turned out no animals into the woods? None at all. The missionaries and settlers have carried some cattle and a few horses, but they have been kept for the use of the villagers near them (the natives living near them) and their own use: none have been turned out into the woods. Pigs have been carried to New Zealand, and increased greatly; but they have been kept as private property.

There is no reason to suppose, from the nature of the climate, that if they were to turn out horses and cows and sheep and deer, they would not increase in the interior; no reason at all; quite the contrary: they would probably increase in very great numbers, for the country abounds in pasture.

If, without the intervention of any charter of government, or any act of parliament, the lands have been taken from the natives, do you not conceive that it might be possible for the government of this country to give greater protection to the natives, under a charter or act of parliament, than they appear to have enjoyed under their independent right of doing what they pleased with their own property? Decidedly: there can be no doubt that they could be much more efficiently protected.

CHAPTER XII. Rise and Progress of New Zealand Colonization.

CHAPTER XII.

Rise and Progress of New Zealand Colonization.

CAPTAIN COOK was the first who landed on the shores of New Zealand, which he did on the evening of Sunday, the 8th October 1769, accompanied by Dr Solander and Sir Joseph Banks. He circumnavigated and surveyed both islands, and, with the customary solemnities, took possession of them, on behalf of the King of Great Britain. Captain Cook saw that New Zealand was well adapted to become a British colony, and recommended it for that purpose; but his suggestions led to no practical result. The design was afterwards taken up by the benevolent Benjamin Franklin and Mr Dalrymple, who issued proposals for raising a sum of £15,000, but without

success, for the purpose of supplying the New Zealanders with useful animals, vegetables, arts, &c. In the parliamentary debates which led to the selection of Botany Bay as a penal settlement, New Zealand was alluded to, as a country that might be found suitable for the purpose; but the dread in which it was then held for its cannibalism overpowered every argument that could be adduced in its favour. In the year 1814, the Rev. Samuel Marsden went from New South Wales to New Zealand, and laid the foundation of the Church of England Mission in the Bay of Islands. Missionaries, therefore, were the first European settlers in New Zealand. The object of the mission was, in the first instance, not so much to preach to the natives the sublime truths of Christianity, as to introduce among them the useful arts; and accordingly the missionaries consisted chiefly of carpenters, boat-builders, black-smiths, ploughmen, rope-spinners, &c.

When it was found that the natives not only permitted these settlers to live in perfect security, but even treated them kindly, the terror of a residence in New Zealand began to disappear, and the number of emigrants was gradually increased. From the excellence of its harbours, it became the general resort of vessels engaged in the South Sea whale fishery, and the value of its timber and flax, the mildness of its climate, the richness of its soil, and other important resources which it was found to possess, led to the conclusion that, for the establishment of a British colony, it was admirably adapted. Through the exertions of Colonel Torrens, a company was formed in 1825, having for its object the colonization of New Zealand. That company, whose chairman was Mr Lambton, now Earl of Durham, did not accomplish their purpose, but from no want of exertion on their part. Their principal agent purchased a quantity of valuable land in New Zealand, of which those from whom it was bought have never attempted to resume the possession, and it is now incorporated with the territory of the New Zealand Land Company. But it unfortunately happened that this agent, mistaking a war-dance which was got up in compliment to him, for one intended as the prelude to his destruction, was so affrighted that he made the best of his way from the country. The abandonment of the enterprise by their agent, and the unusually depressed state of the money market in the year 1826, discouraged the company from prosecuting their design, upon which they had expended £20,000. They, however, received from Mr Huskisson the

promise of a charter of incorporation, which subsequent governments having recognized, is considered as still in force.

Europeans now increased rapidly at New Zealand; these consisted, in a great measure, of sailors who had deserted from the whalers, and of convicts who had made their escape from the penal settlement, and it may easily be supposed that such society would carry along with it no small degree of contamination. All kinds of licentiousness prevailed among this lawless community, and crimes which would have been followed with capital punishment in England were committed with impunity. On a representation of the state of affairs being made to the governor of Sydney, he, in concurrence with the home government, appointed what he termed a consul "accredited to the missionaries at the Bay of Islands." The missionary society appears to have conceived that by this appointment it was invested with the sovereignty of the country over which, in matters secular as well as ecclesiastical, its wish was, like the Jesuits in Paraguay, to exercise an uncontrollable authority. How far it might fear that the colonization of New Zealand would be attended with a diminution of its influence and authority I will not pretend to determine; but certain it is, that every proposition to convert that country into a regular dependency of the British crown has met with its strenuous opposition; and such has been its influence at head-quarters, that this opposition has hitherto proved too successful.

The appointment of a resident was not attended with the beneficial results expected from it. Fresh importations of ruffians, from the chain-gangs of New South Wales continued to take place; the immoral pestilence was increased; and when the interposition of the resident was applied for, to protect the community against this demoralizing inundation, he found that his powers were not sufficiently extensive for the repression and punishment of the disorders and crimes which were every day taking place. The home government was applied to by the London merchants, the heads of the houses engaged in the South Sea trade, the respectable part of the New Zealand settlers, and even by a number of the members of the mission, to exert its authority to put a stop to these evils, but to all these applications, through some counteracting influence at the Colonial Office, the government turned a deaf ear, betraying in this, as in too many other instances, a most culpable insensibility to the wrongs and sufferings of the people upon whose shoulders it had mounted into power.

While matters were in this disorganized state, the attention

of the public was drawn to New Zealand by Mr Wakefield, through whose instrumentality the New Zealand Association was founded, and held its first meeting on the 22nd of May 1837. It was composed of two classes of members; of emigrants, who were to defray all the expenses, and public men, who, without any view to pecuniary advantage, were to devote their time and influence to the furtherance of what was justly viewed as a national undertaking. To the latter class the execution of the plan in England was exclusively confided. In the month of July of this year two New Zealanders, Rangatira Te Naiti and Te Hiakai, visited France. On hearing this, Mr Wakefield brought them to London at his own expense. One of them, Haikai, lived in the house of Dr Evans about eight months, when he died of consumption. The family among whom he resided represent him as having evinced a most amiable disposition and a very superior capacity. It was the opinion of those who became acquainted with him, that his understanding was equal to the task of mastering any of the abstract sciences. He was a brother of the chief of Banks's Peninsula, and it is creditable to the sensibility of his companion, that, three weeks after his interment, he was found weeping over his grave. The other New Zealander resided two years in the house of Mr Wakefield, who had thus ample opportunity of forming a correct estimate of his character, of which he speaks in the highest terms, as comprising every quality found in the gentleman and man of honour. He is nearly related to Rangatira Te Rapora, the most powerful chieftain in New Zealand. The deportment of these young men, marked by the strictest, propriety, and the facility with which they acquired the usages of civilized life, diffused through the large and genteel circle to which they were introduced a very favourable opinion of the New Zealand character. Te Naiti has gone out with the first expedition, as interpreter, for which he is well qualified by his knowledge of the English language. He is confident that the proposal to colonize New Zealand, from which he anticipates the greatest advantage to his countrymen, will be embraced by them with joy and gratitude. On parting with his English friends at Gravesend, his sensibility was much excited; he burst into tears, and on reaching the ship, he remained alone in his cabin for the remainder of the day.

In the summer of 1837, a pamphlet was published, explanatory of the principles and objects of the association, and on an application being made to Lord Melbourne, who was appa-

rently inclined to favour the undertaking, an audience to the Committee was immediately granted. Lord Hawick was present at this interview, and to this minister the plan was referred by the premier. He examined the draught of the bill; expressed a warm interest in the undertaking, and returned the papers, after having suggested various alterations. In conversation with various members of the association, he expressed the same friendly opinion of the measure, and held out the hope that it would obtain the sanction of government. Upon this several members gave up professional engagements, sold their property, and made preparations for emigrating on the faith of the pledge given that their intentions would receive the countenance of government: but alas! how little reliance is to be placed on the professions of some ministers. When the bill was introduced into the House of Commons by Mr Baring, who should be found among its most strenuous opponents but Lord Hawick. And what rendered his Lordship's conduct more surprising was, that in the very bill which he now opposed, all the alterations which he had suggested when the original draught of it was laid before him were embodied. To some of these the association objected, but the members were willing to sacrifice their own opinions to those of his Lordship, in consideration of receiving his powerful influence and support. The reproach of taking to pieces his own building, of fighting against his own principles, is not applicable to Lord Hawick alone, but to all the other ministers whose imbecility and inconsistency would have long since driven them from a position which they would not have so long retained, had they not been held in it by a fortunate and most extraordinary concurrence of circumstances.

After various discouragements and difficulties, which had well nigh extinguished every hope for the regeneration of New Zealand, the cause again lifted up its head, and on the 2d of May, 1839, the New Zealand Land Company, comprehending all the preceding societies, was introduced to the public through the unwearying exertions of Mr Wakefield. The names of the directors of this company, at the head of which stands that of Earl Durham, are a sufficient guarantee for the honour and rectitude of their proceedings. Shares to the amount of £100,000 have been subscribed for, and the sum of £100,000 was paid within five weeks for as many acres of land within a township, the locality of which is not yet fixed upon. Two vessels have been sent to New Zealand; one with the company's principal agent, Col. Wakefield; the other with

the surveyor-general, Lieut. Smith, and a surveying force of thirty individuals. A large body of emigrants from England and Scotland are preparing to sail in the course of the present month, October, and along with them every thing is to be embarked that can in any way contribute to the advancement of the great design, the preparations for which include a church, an infant school, accessible to the children of the natives, as well as to those of the colonists, a public library, a dispensary, a bank, together with a large amount of capital, invested in machinery, mills, steam-engines, agricultural implements, the frame work of houses, and property of various kinds. With the first colony there will go out more than 160 cabin passengers, and 3,500 persons of the working classes, all conveyed free of expense, by means of the purchase money of the land. Five large vessels, upwards of 500 tons each, are nearly ready to sail; others will follow in regular succession, and the whole will rendezvous at Port Hardy, in D'Urville island, Cook's Straits, it is expected by about the end of January.

That so numerous a body of her Majesty's subjects, who are to enlarge her dominions at their own cost, should be treated by the government with cold indifference and neglect, is one of the most surprising things in a period fruitful in astonishing occurrences. It is, however, of a piece with the general policy of our ministers, in which they have made it clearly manifest, that the prosperity and improvement of the people whom they govern, is a question in which they feel little or no interest. To the applications for a local administration, which have been made at the colonial office, no attention has been paid, and the country is to be surrendered to the scramble in which the grog-shop keepers, and the land sharks from Sydney, will vie with each other in trying who will be most successful in swindling the natives out of their territory. The pernicious consequences of so disordered a state of things would be effectually prevented, if the whole lands in New Zealand were assumed by the Crown; provided that those who now possess land were allowed a reasonable time for pre-emption, and an indemnification for the expense which they have laid out in the purchase and improvement of those lands. To some such plan as this, the colonial department must sooner or later consent, unless it think proper to abandon the country to the reckless adventurers, whose object is to obtain, by the most unjustifiable means, the possession of the soil. Come what will, however, the Saxon and the Gael will "screw their courage to the sticking point." They pos-

sess an intrepidity which all the difficulties they are likely to encounter will not be able to overcome; their right to take the management of their own concerns is indisputable, and should government act the part of a stepmother to these its children, by withholding from them its paternal protection, they have hearts and hands that will protect themselves.

I shall conclude this section with the following extract, which terminates Dr Lang's letters to Earl Durham on the colonization of New Zealand.

"Unquestionable as are the facilities for colonization in Southern Australia, as well as in New South Wales, they are not to he compared with those which New Zealand affords. In one word, whatever may be the destinies of the Australian colonies, I am confident that, if colonized on right principles, New Zealand will one day be the Great Britain of the southern hemisphere."

The following table will be found useful to persons intending to emigrate under the auspices of the New Zealand Land Company.

OUTFIT OF EMIGRANT LABOURERS.

FEMALE.

L.

s.

d.

2 gowns, 18 yards of printed cotton, at 6d

0

9

0

2 petticoats, 6 yards of coloured calico, at 6d

0

3

0

2 ditto, flannel, 6 yards, at 1s

0

6

0

12 shifts, 30 yards, long cloth, at 6d

0

15

0

6 caps, 3 yards of muslin, at 1s

0

3

0

6 aprons, 6 yards of calico, at 6d

0

3

0

6 handkerchiefs, at 6d

0

3

0

6 neckerchiefs, at 9d

0

4

6

6 towels, at 6d

0

3

0

1 pair of stays, at 5s

0

5

0

6 pairs of black worsted stockings, at 1s 3d

0

7

6

2 pairs of shoes, at 4s

0

8

0

1 bonnet, at 3s

0

3

0

Needles, pins, tapes, etc. etc.

0

5

0

2 lbs. of soap, at 6d, 2 lbs. of starch, at 6d

0

2

0

L.4

0

0

MALE.

L

s.

d.

2 fustian jackets, at 7s 6d

0

15

0

2 pairs of ditto trousers, at 6s

0

12

0

2 pairs of duck ditto, at 2s 6d

0

5

0

2 round frocks, at 2s 6d

0

5

0

12 cotton shirts, at 2s 3d -

1

7

0

6 pairs of worsted stockings, at 1s 6d

0

9

0

2 Scotch caps, at 1s 6d

0

3

0

6 handkerchiefs, at 6d

0

3

0

6 coarse towels, at 6d

0

3

0

1 pair of boots, at 10s

0

10

0

1 pair of shoes, at 6s

0

6

0

4 lbs. of soap, at 6d

0

2

0

L.5

0

0

Female,

4 0 0

1 pair of blankets, at 10s

10 0

2 pair of sheets, at 5s

10 0

Sum required to fit out a couple,

L.10 0 0

CHAPTER XIII. Discovery of New Zealand – Magalhaens – De Gonville – Tasman – Cook – Survttle – Marion – Crozet.

CHAPTER XIII.

Discovery of New Zealand – Magalhaens – De Gonville – Tasman – Cook – Survttle – Marion – Crozet.

THAT there was such an ocean in existence, as the Pacific, was not known to Europeans till early in the sixteenth century when the narrow ridge of the Andes was crossed by a Spanish captain, Basco Nunez de Balboa. Magalhaens, than whom a more daring navigator never existed, discovered the southern boundaries of the American continent, working his passage to it through the straits to which his name has been given. He shed tears of joy, when his ardent thirst for discovery was so highly gratified by the expansive element that was unfolded to his view. But fame is not acquired without danger. He who engages in such perilous enterprises as Magalhaens, runs the risk of not enjoying long the celebrity for which he toils. Like the no less intrepid Cook, his life was prematurely cut off by a hostile attack from the savages of the Moluccas.

The Abbe de la Borde, in his "Histoire Abrege de la Mer du Sud," (published in 1791,) expresses his belief that the Capitaine Sieur de Gonville visited New Zealand in the month of June, 1503. The Europeans it is stated were received in a very friendly manner by the natives, one of whose chiefs was with his own consent taken away by the French. He embraced the Catholic faith, and became connected in marriage with de Gonville's family. The description given in the account of this voyage of the natives, of the discovered country, appears not at all inapplicable to the New Zealanders, "Gens simples ne demandans qua mener joyeuse vie sans grand travail," a simple people, desiring to live a life of happiness, without much labour. But the honour of having discovered New Zealand is now universally admitted to belong to Captain Abel Jansyen Tasman, who, as a navigator, was perhaps never equalled, but by the illustrious Cook. He left

Batavia on the 21th of August, 1642, having under his command two vessels called the Yacht and the Fly Boat, and after remaining a short time at the Mauritius, he stood out to sea on the 8th of September, for which he says, "The Lord be praised." He announced to his crew, that whoever should first discover land, would receive a recompense of three reals, and (what a Dutchman is particularly partial to,) a pot of arrack. On the 24th, to the great joy of Tasman, land was discovered, which, in honour of his patron, the governor-general, he called Van Dieman's Land. After hovering about the coast for some time, the vessels, on the 15th of December, steered to the northward, and observed fires and smoke on the land. On the 18th, they stood into a bay in Cook's Straits, preceded by a shallop and boat, in quest of an anchorage for wooding and watering. "At sunset," says Tasman, "it was calm, and we cast anchor in fifteen fathoms water. An hour after, we saw four vessels coming from the shore towards us. Two of these were our own boats. The people in the other boats called to us in a loud strong rough voice, (what they said we did not understand;) however, we called to them again, in place of an answer. They repeated their cries several times, but did not come near us; they sounded also an instrument, like a Moorish trumpet, and we answered by blowing our trumpet. Guns were ready prepared, and small arms for an emergency, and strict watch kept." The master of the Fly Boat sent a boat with a quarter-master and six men, to warn those on board the Yacht, not to permit too many of the natives to come into the vessel, as several canoes had been seen putting off from the shore. When the boat had proceeded a short way from the Yacht, the canoes commenced a vigorous pursuit of it, and a savage in one of them that had come up with it, struck the quarter-master, Cornelius Joppe, a violent blow on the neck, which threw him overboard. Upon this, a battle ensued, and four of the seamen were killed. Joppe, and two seamen, who to escape the fury of the assailants, had leaped into the sea, reached the vessel by swimming, and were taken in. Tasman gave to this place the name of Murderers' Bay. He named the country in which this bay is situated, Stoaten Land, in honour of the States General of the United Provinces; but this name was subsequently exchanged for Nova Zealandia, or New Zealand. In this voyage, which terminated on the 14th of June, 1643, Tasman discovered Van Dieman's Land, New Zealand, the Friendly Islands, Annamucka, Prince William's Islands, and several portions of New Guinea.

On the 8th of October, Cook first cast anchor in the bay of Tarunga, about two miles from the land. He went on shore the same evening, accompanied by Sir Joseph Banks and Dr Solander; but they had no sooner reached the beach, when an attack was made on them by a number of the natives. Te Ratu, a principal chief, who commanded the assaulting party, was killed, and another chief wounded in the shoulder; but Cook and his companions escaped unhurt. The natives were of opinion that Cook's ship was a monstrous bird, and that the sails were its wings; but on seeing what they took for a bird, of a much smaller size, descend into the water with a number of beings in it, of the human form, they concluded that the larger bird was a receptacle of divinities. The next day, Cook coasted the bay in quest of wood and water, and while thus employed, he observed a fishing canoe, to which he almost came up before he was perceived. The fishermen, on seeing Cook, made all possible haste to the shore; but as it was one of the principal objects of his undertaking to obtain a personal knowledge of the natives of such countries as he might discover, he ordered a musket to be discharged over their heads, in the hope that it would induce them to surrender. This, however, had a contrary effect; for, disregarding the superiority of numbers opposed to them, they turned round towards the boat, and on coming up to it, they commenced a furious attack, nor did a surrender take place, until four men belonging to the canoe had been killed. The remaining part of the canoe's crew, which were three young men, were made prisoners. Cook was distinguished for humanity, and had he apprehended such a resistance on the part of the canoe, as would occasion the loss of life, it is more than probable that he would have allowed the fishermen to escape. When the three lads were taken out of the water, into which they had thrown themselves, they expected to be immediately put to death; but being kindly treated, and presented with some clothes, their fears vanished, and in a short time, the friends they had lost appeared to be forgotten. The food that was set before them they devoured with astonishing voracity. The scene on board the ship, though altogether new to them, they beheld without manifesting the least surprise; but if their curiosity was inactive, not so were their appetites, for from the avidity with which they recommenced eating, when supper was presented to them, it might have been inferred, that for a considerable time previously, they had been suffering under the miseries of famine. At breakfast, next morning, their feats

in gastronomy were equally surprising as on the preceding day; they were then adorned with trinkets from head to foot, and in the afternoon, in compliance with their own request, were put ashore. Cook now steered his course to the southern island, along the eastern coast. In latitude 42 deg., 20' south, four double canoes were observed, containing fifty-seven men. Mr Banks, who happened to be in a boat by himself at some distance from the ship, narrowly escaped being taken. They came close to the vessel, the sight of which seemed to fill them with astonishment. "These," says Cook, "kept aloof with a mixture of timidity and wonder; others had immediately commenced hostilities, by pelting us with stones. The gentleman, whom we found alone fishing in his canoe, seemed to think us unworthy of his notice; and some, almost without an invitation, had come on board with an air of confidence and perfect good will." The point was called the Lookers-on. Cook having circumnavigated the whole country, took his departure from the north-west cape of the larger island, which he called Cape Farewell, on the 31st of March, 1770.

The next vessel that visited New Zealand, was the St Jean Baptiste, commanded by Captain Surville, who, on the 17th of December, 1769, cast anchor in Doubtless Bay. On the 22d, he changed his anchorage, which was too much exposed, and went further within the bay. He had scarcely done so, when the coast was visited by so furious a hurricane, that the vessel was in imminent danger of being wrecked, and a boat belonging to the vessel having in vain attempted to reach her, the people were obliged to put back to the shore, which, with the utmost difficulty they reached, after being nearly drowned. The sailors were for two days, during which the gale lasted, very kindly treated by the natives, and when the weather moderated, they returned to the ship. But this kindness was repaid with ingratitude. During the storm, a small boat belonging to Surville had disappeared. Suspecting it, without reason, to have been stolen by the natives, he, under the pretence of friendship, inveigled Nahini, the chief of the district on board, and made him a prisoner. The treacherous Surville then sent a party of his men on shore, with orders to burn the villages in which they had been sheltered during the storm: after which act of base ingratitude, they returned to the ship, which got immediately under weigh, carrying with it the miserable chieftain whom Surville had entrapped, and who, three months after, died of a broken heart. But Surville's destiny allowed him very little farther time for the operation of such

bad qualities as he possessed. Twelve days after the death of his victim, in attempting to reach in a small boat, during a heavy swell, the shore of Callao in Peru, the boat was upset, and he and all in it, with the exception of one man, were drowned.

Captain Marion de Fresne was the next visitant of New Zealand with two vessels under his command, called the Mascarin and Marquis de Castries. On the 24th of March, 1722, he discovered the west coast opposite Mount Egmont, which he named Le Pic Muscarin. Early in May, he came in sight of Cape Brett, the south head of the Bay of Islands. Several canoes came off to the vessels, but it required much persuasion to induce the people in them to come on board. Every thing in the shape of food that was offered they devoured, as their countrymen had formerly done, with great voracity, and were highly delighted with some articles of clothing that were given them. A number of the natives, among whom was a chief called Te Kuri remained on board the Mascarin all night. The French and natives appeared now to be on such friendly terms, that Marion was induced to convey the vessels into Paroa, an inland anchorage within the island, and opposite to Korokoua, a village in the bay belonging to the chief Kuri. The officers of the ships made excursions into the interior, accompanied by the natives, who vied with each other in showing them every mark of kindness and attention. But under the guise of friendship, a dark design was concealed. Crozet, the second in command, frequently hinted to Captain Marion his suspicions that some plot for the destruction of the French was hatching; but Marion considered these suspicions as unworthy of the slightest attention. On the 12th of June, he went on shore with a crew of sixteen persons, including four officers, and though some surprise was occasioned by the non-return of the boat in the evening, no suspicion of foul play was entertained, as it was thought probable that they might have resolved on spending the night in the village, a supposition that was the more readily adopted, from Marion having expressed his intention to spend the day in fishing near a village belonging to Kuri. The following morning a boat was dispatched to fetch wood and water. It was absent about four hours, when, to the astonishment of the watch on the deck of the vessel, a man was observed swimming towards her. A boat was sent to his assistance, and when he reached the vessel, all on board were horrified at the account which he gave of the tragical fate which his companions had experi-

enced. When the boat reached the shore, the natives came up to the party, and to delude them the more, with a show of kindness, carried them from the boat to the beach, to prevent their feet from getting wet. The seamen then dispersed to collect, the wood, and while thus occupied, unarmed, a signal was given, upon which the natives by whom they were surrounded, rushed in upon them, and with their stone hatchets, beat out their brains. Eleven were, in this manner, very quickly dispatched, one only having escaped to tell the dreadful tale. When the carnage began, he disengaged himself by a desperate effort from the grasp of those who had laid hold on him, and sprang into a thicket, where he lay concealed till the cannibals had left the place, after cutting up and dividing among them the mangled bodies of his unfortunate countrymen. He then darted from the wood, and succeeded, as before noticed, in reaching the vessel.

Though after this appalling information had been given, little doubt could be entertained as to the fate of Marion and his people, a company of men, well armed, was immediately dispatched in the long boat of the Mascarin, to ascertain, if possible, how they had been disposed of. After searching for some time, they perceived the boat crowded with natives, in which the unfortunate commander and his companions had been conveyed. Lieut. Crozet, who had under his command a party of sixty men, employed in cutting down wood not far from the place, on being informed of what had taken place, ordered his men to collect their tools and proceed instantly to the boats, without communicating to them the intelligence he had received, which he thought might discourage them. When approaching the boats, the natives followed them, demonstrating by their gestures the most hostile intentions, and crying out that their chief, Te Kuri, had killed and devoured Marion. The undaunted resolution of Crozet, who drew a line upon the sand, and threatened to shoot who ever should overstep the boundary, had the desired effect of keeping them at bay till the sailors got into the boats. But no sooner were the boats putting off, than maddened it is supposed at their own folly in permitting their prey to escape, when it was in their power, they rushed into (he water with the view of hauling the boats ashore. By this manoeuvre, however, they laid themselves open to that just and severe retaliation which the French did not hesitate to inflict. Shower after shower of bullets were poured upon the dense mass, who petrified with

fear and wonder, made no attempt to retreat from the destructive vollies to which they were exposed.

The French, previously to leaving this coast, paid several other visits to the shore, and were not slow in prosecuting their vengeance, particularly on those whom they saw dressed in the clothes of their murdered countrymen, a number of whom were killed. On one of these occasions, they observed the treacherous Kuri, who had headed the massacre, attired in the red cloak which had been worn by Marion, and saw several pieces of the bodies of their countrymen, upon which the marks of human teeth were impressed.

The murder of Marion and his companions, as was afterwards learned, took place while they and the natives were employed in hauling in a large seine. Between every Frenchman several natives placed themselves, and upon a signal being given, the unsuspicious people were murdered with stone hatchets, which the savages had concealed beneath their clothes. The vessels took their final departure from this coast on the 14th of July, 1772.

In the course of a subsequent visit which Cook made to New Zealand with the Resolution, commanded by himself, and the Discovery, by Captain Furneaux, another tragical event took place. When the Discovery was at anchor in Queen Charlotte's Sound, a boat was sent on shore, under the command of a midshipman, with ten stout seamen, to procure greens for the ship's company. The indiscretion of a black servant belonging to Captain Furneaux, occasioned a misunderstanding between the seamen and the natives. A sudden attack was made by the latter upon the former, before they could make any preparation for their defence, and they were all murdered. Lieutenant Burney with a boat, well armed, went to see what was become of the missing seamen. The result of the search was the discovery of such a scene of shocking barbarity and carnage, as Mr Burney, who gives the account of it says, can never be thought of without horror. "The heads, hearts, and lungs, of several of our people, were lying about the beach, and the dogs were gnawing their entrails." The seamen endeavoured to avenge, but without success, the death of their countrymen; for the volley of musketry which they discharged at the natives, was subsequently found to have done no execution, and from the immense number of the natives assembled on the beach, and momentarily increasing, the seamen were obliged to leave, unpunished, the barbarous murder of which the savages had been guilty.

In 1821, a vessel called the General Gates sailed from Boston in America, on a sealing voyage. On the 10th of August, in the same year, a number of men, and an overseer, were landed near the south-west Cape of the district of Te Wai Poenama, for the purpose of engaging in the seal fishery. In the course of six weeks, they had obtained 3563 skins, which they had dressed and prepared for shipment. One night, about eleven o'clock, an attack was made upon their cabin by a horde of savages, who made the Americans prisoners, and burnt the cabin and every thing which it contained. They forced the traders to go with them to a place called Looking Glass Bay. Having rested here one day, they proceeded on a long journey of about two hundred miles, in a northerly direction, and arrived at a place called Sandy Bay. The cannibal propensities of the savages could hold out no longer. They laid hold of one of the traders, and having made him fast to a tree, they beat out his brains with a club. They then cut off his head, which they buried in the ground, and cooked and devoured the remaining part of his body. They offered some of this food to his companions, who, from the pressure of hunger, not having tasted food for a long time, partook of it. The remaining Americans were made fast to trees, and every day one of them was killed, and afterwards cooked and eaten. The whole would have shared the same fate; but one evening, the savages were so affrighted by a terrible storm of thunder and lightning, that they fled from the place, and the two remaining Americans having succeeded in unloosening the flax they were bound with, made their escape in a canoe that happened to be within their reach. They had no water nor provisions of any kind, and after suffering, during three days, all the miseries attendant on an absolute want of the necessaries of life, they were rescued from their perilous situation by the Margery, a flax trader, belonging to Sydney.

Though the cloud which concealed from the civilized world the existence of the numerous islands of the Pacific ocean was thrown aside by the illustrious men to whom I have alluded, we are deeply indebted for a great deal of the knowledge we possess respecting their geography, climate, soil, habits, and customs, to many other eminent navigators, both British and foreign, who followed in the track which they had the merit of opening up. Among these the names of Bougainville, Perouse, D'Urville, La Place, Krusenstern, Kotzebue, Billinghausen, and Lutke, deserve honourable mention.

CHAPTER XIV. Origin of the Natives – Personal Appearance – Modesty of the Women – their Connubial Affection – Punishment for Crim. Con. – Coquetry – Grief and Joy, how manifested.

CHAPTER XIV.

Origin of the Natives – Personal Appearance – Modesty of the Women – their Connubial Affection – Punishment for Crim. Con. – Coquetry – Grief and Joy, how manifested.

THE opinion now generally entertained, that the inhabitants of New Zealand, and those of the numerous islands in the Pacific Ocean, have sprung from the same source, appears highly probable. This opinion is founded on the striking similarity which is observable between the natives of these islands in almost all their social and domestic habits and usages, and in their moral and physical constitution. But the question from what stock did all these people spring, is not so easily solved, if we may judge from the diversity of opinion that prevails on the subject. Dr Lang ascribes to them an Asiatic origin, and it must be admitted that he has rendered this opinion very probable, if not altogether certain, by the striking similitude which he points out between them and the Asiatics, in respect of physical conformation, general character, Malay features, caste, and taboo, treatment of women, particularly their being forbidden to eat certain articles of food, or to eat in the presence of men, their inhuman conduct to the sick, their immolation of widows at the death of their husbands, and a great number of games and other usages. The affinity with respect to language, as shown by Dr Lang, is very striking, a great many words in both being exactly the same. The main difficulty attending this hypothesis is the wide interval that separates the continent of Asia from the Polynesian regions; but this difficulty the doctor removes, or attempts to remove, by producing some remarkable instances of the drifting of canoes full of natives to a very great distance from their native isles. The account which the New Zealanders themselves give of the origin of their country is this; Mawe, their divinity, was one day amusing himself by fishing; for some time his success was not very encouraging, but, when his patience was nearly exhausted, he felt a bite, and, after a great deal of exertion, he pulled out his line, at the end of which he found attached the islands of New Zealand.

The complexion of the New Zealanders is, generally speaking, either an olive or copper colour, or a kind of brown black. The external appearance of the copper-coloured natives is

much superior to that of those who want this distinction. Many of them are above six feet in height, with a conformation in which every rule of symmetry has been exactly observed. Between the features of this class and those of the European there is frequently a great degree of similarity. Between the natives of the higher and lower order, nature, it would seem, has drawn a broad line of demarcation; for whereas, in Europe and other countries, there is no difference in the external appearance of the inhabitants, except what arises from a difference of education, society, and food, in New Zealand, though high and low are in these respects upon an equal footing, the distinction between the classes is very obvious. Has nature established an aristocracy in New Zealand and no where else? The partiality shown by nature in the physical construction of the higher class of males is extended to the same class among the females, who, in configuration and in those personal attractions which so powerfully command the admiration and love of the other sex, are admitted by all New Zealand visitants to be decidedly superior to their less fortunate countrywomen. Nor is this superiority indicated by external appearance only; it reaches to the minds of these New Zealand belles, who possess such a stamina as wants nothing but European cultivation to convert them into ladies of as refined sentimentality and as elegant manners as ever graced the assemblies at Almack's. I have seen New Zealand females of the higher class, who had intermarried with respectable Europeans, from whose conduct as a wife and a mother, regulated by good sense, good taste, and endeared by a conjugal and maternal affection, many married ladies in Great Britain might have taken a very useful lesson.

Cook, who was no flatterer, speaks in very favourable terms of the chastity of the females in New Zealand, as follows: – "I have observed that our friends in the South Seas had not even an idea of decency with respect to any object or any action; but this was by no means the case with the inhabitants of New Zealand, in whose carriage and conversation there was as much modest reserve and decorum with respect to actions, which yet in their opinion were not criminal, as are to be found among the politest people in Europe." "Some of us," he again says, "happening one day to land at a small island in Tolaga Bay, surprised several of the ladies employed in the water, catching lobsters, having left their garments on the rocks. The chaste Diana with her nymphs could not have discovered more confusion and distress at the sight of Actaeon, than these

women expressed at our approach. Some of them hid themselves among the rocks, and the rest crouched down in the sea until they had made themselves a girdle and apron of such weeds as they could find; and when they came out, even with this veil, we could perceive that they suffered much by our presence." It must be admitted that the eulogium of Cook on the modesty of the New Zealand females is not so generally applicable now as when he pronounced it; but for this deterioration of morals the women have to thank the introduction of Europeans into their country, who have imported and diffused among them a number of vices, to which, before their arrival, they were strangers.

The wives in New Zealand are characterized by strong connubial affection. It was formerly quite customary for the wife, on the death of her husband, to commit suicide. An instance of this took place not long ago, at the south-west coast, which is thus related by one who witnessed it. "The report arrived that a certain chief belonging to the village had been killed in battle; a relative immediately gave the head wife of the defunct a rope of flax, which she took, and instantly went to some sacred bushes and hung herself; no person attempted to prevent her." I cannot resist laying before the reader an account of two other instances of as strong connubial attachment as perhaps ever was felt. "I remember a native girl who had cohabited some time with an Englishman, who was nearly on the point of death from a debilitating illness. The afflicted girl scarce left his bedside. Hearing from the natives of my countryman's illness, I called on him to offer him such assistance as I could afford. Entering the room of the invalid, I perceived the poor wife sobbing convulsively, with the sick man's hands fast locked in hers. After remaining some time with the man, I left the house; outside which, several of the girl's friends were congregated. They told us that Etari the wife had been engaged during the morning making a rope of flax to quit a burdensome existence should her husband die. The man recovered some time after, but I had not the slightest doubt at the time, had a contrary conclusion taken place, she would have put her intentions into practice, agreeably to the customs of her people."

"A native girl, daughter of a chief, had lived for some months with a soldier, who was supposed to have caused the death of James Aldridge, a seaman who had been stabbed. As it appeared prudent to remove her from the ship, she complied with the order for her departure with much reluctance. From

the time the unfortunate man had been put in confinement, she had scarcely left his side, or ceased to cry; and having been told that he must inevitably be hanged, she purchased some flax from the natives alongside the Dromedary, and making a rope of it, declared that if such should be his fate, she would put a similar termination to her own existence; nor was it doubted but she would have executed her intention."

In New Zealand, death is the punishment for infidelity to her husband on the part of the wife. The importance of preserving inviolable the marriage band, is not more deeply felt in any nation of Europe, than in New Zealand. The wife guilty of adultery is not only killed, but to mark the sense of her crime more impressively, her remains are subjected to the horrid rites of cannibalism. As there are no judicial tribunals in New Zealand, these punishments are usually inflicted by the injured party, who, however, sometimes accepts utu, or damages, as an indemnification for the wrong he has suffered: but the guilty wife never regains caste, or recovers that place in society which she previously held.

Coquetry is not the exclusive product of any country in the world; it is a plant indigenous to every soil; no passion being more deeply rooted in the female mind than the love of admiration. The fair sex in New Zealand are as ambitious as those in our own island to do execution, by playing off the artillery of their attractions, and when their endeavours are successful, no general is more delighted at gaining a battle than they are at the conquests which they have made. The blandishments and gestures exhibited in their dances, and the subjects and language of their amatory compositions, are not it must be confessed, exactly in keeping with the retiring modesty for which Cook gives the women credit whom he surprised in the water.

When any of their relatives die, or separate from them, they express their grief by the infliction of deep wounds on their persons, employing for this purpose the mussel shell, with which they make the blood flow from them in great profusion. And what is remarkable enough, they subject themselves to the same tormenting operations, when a friend who has been long absent returns – a practice which seems utterly at variance with the pleasure which meeting with him again is calculated to inspire.

CHAPTER XV. Indulgence of Children – Its bad Effects – Polygamy – Strong affection of Parents to Children – Marriage – Infanticide – Tattooing – Religion – Cannibalism.

CHAPTER XV.

Indulgence of Children – Its bad Effects – Polygamy – Strong affection of Parents to Children – Marriage – Infanticide – Tattooing – Religion – Cannibalism.

MAN is a strangely compounded being; and it is not a little remarkable that there should often be found in the same mind qualities diametrically opposed to each other, like a soil, in which at the same (dime, good and bad grain should grow up together. That the New Zealanders are extremely fond of their children is a fact which all who have visited their country will admit, and of which I have often seen them give extraordinary proofs. But it is a fact equally well established, that infanticide prevails among them; and the prevalence of such contradictory dispositions, is one of those enigmas of the human mind, which it would be very difficult, if not quite impossible to solve. The unbounded freedom in which the children are indulged, seems very favourable to their growth, which is much more rapid than that of European children, who are less strong and active at ten years of age than those in New Zealand are at six. The tuition of the children begins at an early period, for the developement of their mental powers is as rapid as that of their physical. This education, as may readily be supposed, consists in making them as expert as possible in the games, dances, and other practices, to which their fathers are attached, among which smoking tobacco may be numbered, which children learn at a very early age. The children of chiefs, though their mothers be slaves, enjoy all the honours and advantages of legitimate birth. One effect of the excessive fondness of parents for their children is, that they are very rarely punished for any impropriety of conduct whatever. This exemption from merited chastisement occasions no little annoyance to the parents from the mischievous tricks which it emboldens these spoiled children to perform.

The following instance of the strength of parental affection is given in Polack's New Zealand. "A respectable chief, named Te Kuri, whose residence is at Turunga, or Poverty Bay, had a fine boy born to him, who died in his fourth year. Poor Kuri was almost inconsolable, until he hit upon a method in fashion among his countrymen to preserve the best memento possible of the lamented child. He eviscerated the body and

head, and cooked the whole in the same manner as the head of an enemy is preserved, stuffing the inside of the body with scraped flax; and at a distance it was impossible to perceive the difference between it and a living child. I had often seen Kuri carrying this apology for an infant in his blanket behind his back, and remarked one day what a pleasing and remarkably quiet child it appeared. This observation elicited a laugh, in which this candidate for paternity heartily joined. The body had been stuffed in the state I saw it for at least five years."

Polygamy is practised in New Zealand, which strengthens the hypothesis that Asia had the honour of peopling that island. The consequence of a plurality of wives is such as might be expected. Quarrels often take place among them, and rise to such a height, that the unhappy husband finds the restoration of tranquillity very difficult, and sometimes impracticable. Jealousy, "the injured lover's hell," sometimes produces here, as elsewhere, tragical consequences. Manu, a chief of the Bay of Islands, had a child by one of his slaves. When the circumstance became known to Koki, the Sultana of the harem, she was so enraged at the infidelity of her husband, that she sacrificed the tenderness of a mother to her passion for revenge, by destroying one of her own children. The wife, whom the partiality of her husband has placed at the head of his seraglio, often lords it over the other wives, obliging them to act as the menial servants of the family. A native is permitted to marry two sisters, and in this case custom, which in savage countries has generally the force of law, assigns the pre-eminence to the elder sister. In no country, perhaps, do the passions burn with greater fury than in New Zealand. I have known instances of children, who, on being denied by their parents the gratification of their ardent wishes, or prevented from doing something on which their hearts were set, fly from the house, and hang or drown themselves. The following passage from a writer on New Zealand will show to what length the insolence of children to their parents will sometimes go. "A minor chief in the Bay of Islands married a woman much his superior in rank, as his own mother had been a slave. The importance of the chief was advanced accordingly by the connection. The children, who had been treated too kindly by him, often twitted their father in my presence, on his being the son of a slave; reminding the old man to mark their difference in rank, as their parents were chiefs, and not slaves, like his mother."

The urchins seem to have sucked in a predilection for war with their mothers' milk, if we may judge from the deep interest which they appear to take in the councils of war long before it could be supposed that such meetings could have any attraction for them, or that they could be thought capable of comprehending the nature or purport of such deliberations. On these occasions, the juvenile auditors will sometimes take a part in the discussion, and so far is this liberty from being repressed, that the chiefs will answer their questions with as much respect, as if in point of age and understanding, they were on a level with themselves. To the unrestrained freedom of conversation on all sorts of subjects in which the children are indulged by their seniors, is probably owing the intelligence and vigour of mind which at an early age they display.

With forms and ceremonies the New Zealanders never think of encumbering themselves on scarcely any occasion. Their public and domestic arrangements are conducted without any regard to eclat, for which they seem to have little predilection. Unlike the natives of almost all the other Polynesian islands, they pay little attention to the trinkets that are offered them, but will very readily exchange the produce of their country for articles of important utility or substantial comfort. Marriages are made with scarcely the shadow of ceremony. The match being agreed on, the bridegroom takes the bride to his dwelling, and this is considered as settling the business. However free of her favours, a woman may have been previous to marriage, she is not on that account considered less worthy of a husband; but any improper liberties taken with her after marriage, would, if detected, be severely resented. Her person is then tapued or prohibited.

Marriages take place at a much more early period of life in New Zealand than among Europeans. Mothers may be seen at fourteen, twelve, and some few even at eleven years of age. Infanticide has been greatly checked in those districts, where, through the exertions of the missionaries, the humanizing influence of Christianity has been felt; but in other quarters it still lamentably prevails. One would be almost tempted, from what one observes in New Zealand, to question the accuracy of an opinion which seems to be universally admitted, or to which at least I have never heard any opposition offered, viz., that there is in the mind of every human being a principle which approves what is laudable, and condemns what is criminal in his conduct. I have looked in vain for this principle among the New Zealanders; who, after committing crimes at

which we would start with horror, exhibit not the slightest symptom of remorse. I heard one day a chief who, for some trifling offence had shot one of his female slaves, make the appearance she exhibited previous to receiving the contents of the musket, the subject of his merriment; and though I have often endeavoured to impress the minds of mothers who had taken the lives of their children with a sense of the unnatural barbarity of their conduct, I never could awaken in any of them the least degree of shame or compunction for the crime which they had committed. "In vain," says the writer formerly quoted, "I told the circle of women to whom I was addressing myself on the subject, that the Creator was too just to allow a murderer to escape in any shape. My words fell on their ears like the wind; they burst into a shout, exclaiming, 'Mea pai te romia,' squeezing the nose was very good, adding that my mamma would have acted perfectly right in so serving me. I presumed to differ from them at this personal allusion. A young girl sitting by, who had dispatched her infant only the week previously, said it was useless to try and change their opinion; that her own mother had several times attempted to deprive her of life, having often commenced the romia on her nose, (feeling that natural promontory to be assured of its position,) but that her father and uncles always interfered. I asked her how she would have admired the process had it been persevered in by her affectionate mother. She smiled and said,' Au! ea te au te oik! What business is it of yours?" Various means are employed to deprive the child of life, such as pressing its temples when newly born, strangling, drowning; but the method in most general use is to suffocate the infant to death, by pressing its nose between two of the fingers. To the guilt of murder, that of the most barefaced hypocrisy is added; for no sooner is the life of the child extinguished, than the mother affects to lament its death with all the external signs of the most violent grief; performing at the same time with the shell an operation of phlebotomy upon her own body, and deafening, by the loudness of her cries, all the people in the neighbourhood. Various means are employed by the mother to procure abortion, which are generally successful, and certain practices are indulged in, which supersede the necessity of checking fecundity, by the destruction of life.

It is difficult to account for the origin of tattooing; an operation attended with great pain; but which, the New Zealanders bear with astonishing fortitude. It is regarded as an embellishment; but so different are the notions of different na-

tions, as to what constitutes beauty, that all Europeans consider it as a positive deformity transforming the "human face divine" into an object which foreigners cannot, till they are habituated to the sight, look upon without disgust. If an opinion might be hazarded, as to the cause of its adoption among savage nations, I would be inclined to think that it took its rise from that strong desire, to fill their enemies with terror which savages feel; for certainly the appearance of a countenance on which the operation of tattooing has been performed, is any thing but attractive. This opinion is strengthened by the frightful yells which savages invariably utter, on commencing an attack for the purpose, no doubt, of discomposing and terrifying their enemies. That tattooing was practised by the Asiatics, is beyond all doubt; and its forming one of the customs of the New Zealanders is another strong proof of their Asiatic origin. To the children of Israel the following prohibition was addressed: – "Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor engrave any marks on you;" a decided proof, that at an early age of the world, tattooing was in use among the inhabitants of Asia. It is fortunate for the fair sex in New Zealand that they have been exempted, or nearly so, from an operation that would have made sad havoc on the corporeal recommendations which they undoubtedly possess.

Of the religion of these people it would be difficult to speak with precision. That they have something in the shape of religion among them is true, but it is of a very vague, disjointed, and indeterminate character; and the office of priest appears to be nearly a sinecure. Whatever their religion be, it has no influence in prompting to virtue, or restraining from crime; and of man's responsibility for his actions to a higher power, or of a state of future retribution, they appear to have no conception. The only compliment paid to their religious feelings, is by Crozet the French navigator, who says,"Quand on leur a fait des questions a ce sujet, ils ont leve les yeux et les mains au ciel, avec des demonstrations de respect et de crainte qui indiquaient leur croyance d'un Etre supreme."

The practice of eating the flesh of their fellow-creatures is universally considered as characteristic of a people sunk far beneath the average condition of even savage life, and in the attributes of humanity, scarcely rising above the level of the beasts of prey. So incredible indeed did it seem, that a species of barbarism so revolting should in any country take place, that the accounts of its existence were for a long time

doubted or disbelieved. I was among the sceptical on this subject, but I had not resided long in New Zealand till every doubt that cannibalism was practised by the natives, was removed by the strongest evidence. Aware, however, that this practice is detestable in the eyes of Europeans, they are at pains to conceal as much as possible the instances of it that take place from their knowledge; and it was only incidentally that I could discover the proofs of its existence. It is, however, disappearing, and will gradually die away in proportion as the civilization of the natives, from their intercourse with emigrants, advances. No European, however, need entertain the slightest apprehension of being subjected to this horrible custom, the victims of which are exclusively selected from among slaves and prisoners, of war. When a victory is obtained, a council is held on the fate of the prisoners, of whom some are adjudged to slavery, and others to be killed and devoured. The dreadful process of killing and dissecting the latter is performed before the eyes of their countrymen, and the agony and horror with which the bloody spectacle must be beheld when, as often happens, the sufferers are the dearest relatives of the spectators, may easily be conceived. It some times happens that the conquered party become incorporated with the tribe of the victors, to whom, when this takes place, they become as firmly attached as though they had originally belonged to it; and I have known instances of persons who had been thus incorporated taking long journies to see their former friends and relatives, and returning to the tribe of their captors, with which they considered themselves more firmly united than with the one from which the chances of war had separated them. Of all the strange traits in the character of this strange people, the one just alluded to is perhaps the strangest. To feel a stronger attachment to those who had put to death, by cruel torments, and afterwards devoured their countrymen and friends, than to the tribe with which, having been born and bred in it, they were connected by the most endearing ties, betokens as extraordinary a revolution of sentiment and feeling as is perhaps on record.

To detail the sacrifices offered at the bloody shrine of cannibalism is the most unpleasant part of the task which the plan of this publication imposes. I will, therefore, out of the many instances that might be brought forward in illustration of the cannibal propensities of these islanders, select only two with which to conclude this part of the subject. The chief of a party, who had gained a battle, having bound

one of the prisoners, caused a tomahawk to be fixed firmly betwixt his teeth. He then made an incision in his throat, and drank like a vampire the blood which streamed from the wound. Another monster commanded a young female slave to prepare the oven for making ready a feast with which he intended to entertain a party of his friends. When her master's order was executed, she asked him for the provisions that were to be put into the oven, when he told her that the dish intended to be cooked in it was herself. The wretched girl, at this horrible annunciation, bursting into tears that would have melted any heart but that of a fiend, importuned him to spare her life, – but all entreaty was vain; the inexorable wretch bound his victim hands and feet, and threw her into the oven alive!

APPENDIX.

APPENDIX.

The two following letters from Australia and New Zealand will convey an idea of the difference existing between these countries as fields for emigration.

PORT ADELAIDE,
Australia, February 2nd, 1839.

WELL, here we are once more under sail, after having been detained two weeks in this horrid place. The day after we arrived at Holdfast Bay, I went on shore, along with two or three more of the crew. We had our guns, and intended to walk across to Adelaide, and then join the Indus at the port, to which she was to sail that night. The appearance of the country is certainly beautiful. Fine large trees and lovely shrubs present themselves in every direction, but every thing appears to be parched and burned up, and there are not the least signs of water anywhere. We had to walk eight miles under a burning sun, without a drop of water, before we got to the city of Adelaide. I was never so much disappointed in my life as with this town. Of course I did not expect to see fine streets and squares, but certainly neat little cottages with small gardens, and a hard working and industrious people. But it is quite the reverse. It is a rigmarole kind of a place. Every one builds his house as best suits his fancy, and they are scattered about over such a vast extent of ground that it is almost impossible to trace any resemblance of a street. Almost every house you see is a public house; and as to the inhabitants, they are composed of a set of sharpers, pickpockets, free convicts, runaway convicts, and conceited cockneys, – in fact the most rascally assemblage of blackguards on the face of the earth. They do nothing but frequent grog shops and coffee rooms, and live upon new corners. There is a listless-

ness and inactivity about this colony which quite disgusts one. As to the river Torrens, which is said, in some of the lying publications, to be 'as large as the Thames, and to flow beautifully through the city,' it is a mere chain of stagnant pools. As to the run of water from one of these pools to another, I could easily have held it back by placing my feet together for two or three minutes. In some places it is totally dry. The whole of the water used both in the town and in the port, is drawn from one of these pools. When I passed it one day there were four or five carts filling at one end of the pool, – and at the other there were upwards of twenty natives swimming about. This is the kind of water you get to drink! the washings of these loathsome fellows. The natives here appear to be pretty numerous. You will always see plenty of them in the town; many are tall and muscular, and in fact much better looking than you would suppose. As to the harbour, or port, our ship could get no farther up the creek than within four miles of it, so that all the goods which were landed were towed up in the long boat, which was a most laborious and tedious job. The harbour at the port is a sort of ditch cut through the mud, just broad enough to let a boat up – -but it is always quite dry by half tide. This is the splendid 'harbour and wharf,' of the city of Adelaide. They charge you enormously high for everything. A dinner in the Southern Cross Coffeehouse is charged 3s. 6d.; wine per bottle, 6s.; one glass brandy and water, 1s.; ginger beer, per bottle, 1s.; a small piece of bread and cheese, with butter, 2s. 6d.; breakfast, 3s.; bed, 3s. 6d.; porter, per bott}e, 3s.; fresh butter, 3s. 6d. per pound; beef and mutton, 1s. 2d. to 1s. 3d. per pound; and for confectionaries, (fine mixtures) 16s. per pound, or 1s. per ounce. But I must allow the wages are very high, – a common labourer receiving 20s. per week and rations; and to show you what value is put upon labour, they charge you per pound of raw coffee, 1s., while the same quantity roasted is charged 2s. 6d.!

In fact, the books and papers written about this place are all gross deceptions; and I have even heard Brown, the emigrant agent here, acknowledge that they were deceptions, but that they were obliged to publish them, because if they did not take that means to attract emigrants, other colonies would, and thus secure a great supply of capital and labour. The great inducement held out by government to people to settle in South Australia is, that immediately on their arrival they will get possession of the land purchased. But mark the result

After having left Britain full of this hope, they find on arrival that the country is not surveyed, and that they require to wait for months before they can have land. A most pernicious system of surveying has commenced, which will ultimately ruin the colony. This is the system of "special surveys." By paying down L.4,000 hard cash, you have the privilege of selecting 4,000 acres of land, out of 15,000 acres. By this system all the good land is picked up, and what remains is barren, dry, and not worth having. Thus the purchaser of one or two sections coming out here, will be undoubtedly ruined, unless indeed, he manage to obtain a share of a 'special survey.' If he pays for his sections in England he cannot have a special survey, or a share in one. The money must be paid to the Colonial Treasurer in gold or bank notes; therefore, you see any one coming out here, should not purchase land at home. Four persons with L. 1,000 each, or eight persons with L.500 each, could demand a survey of 15, 000 acres in any district, and afterwards divide the 4,000 acres selected by ballot. This plan has been followed by some of our passengers; it is in fact the only way in which you will get land in any reasonable time. Before this you must examine the country to find out the most eligible place; and having done so, you pay your cash, and demand a survey.

A public advertisement is then issued, stating that Mr – – - demands a survey in a particular district. This has to appear for a certain number of days before the survey is commenced, and before it is completed and divided three months at least must elapse. During this time you may live in your tent in the neighbourhood of the town, and nothing is charged for the ground so occupied; but provisions, &c, are so dreadfully dear, that it requires a good trifle to keep you these three or four months. I may relate an instance of the oppressive nature of these restrictions. We met one day in a coffee room a young man who came out to Adelaide two years ago. He brought two servants with him, and likewise good letters to the Governor. Well, the Governor advised him to purchase some sheep, and go and squat in the country towards Mount Barber. He did so, but he had no sooner got a hut up in one place, than he was obliged to remove to another by these 'special surveys,' so that at last, by losing his sheep, &c, he was obliged to return to the town of Adelaide to try and get employment. His two men happening to get work on the survey, managed to get a place for their master; but he, poor fellow, could not stand so hard work under a burning sun, and

he has now been in Adelaide for the last six months, trying to get a situation in vain. He would be thankful for a place of any kind, at a salary of L.30 or L.40 a-year. He pulled 7s. 6d. from his pocket, and declared it was all he had in the world. Such is too often the fate of the emigrant. The heat here is often very great. One day we found the thermometer standing at 112 deg. in the shade! Ten times worse than Pernambuco. There was a breeze of wind blowing, but it was as hot as though it had come through a furnace. It was what the settlers called a hot wind, which sometimes blows for two or three weeks together, but we luckily had only one day of it. Flies are a dreadful nuisance. While sitting at breakfast the other day, the waiter brought in some very good fresh sliced beef; but it had not sat more than five minutes on the table, when it was moving maggots. There is a kind of fly, that wherever it lights it blows live maggots. The country, too, is swarming with flies, not only in the houses, but on the open ground. The sand produces them; and at the port, but more especially in the creek where the Indus was anchored, the mosquitoes were in myriads. It was quite impossible to sleep for them – every body on board was literally covered with bites. They come off in thousands from the mangrove swamps on each side of the creek!

EMIGRATION.

The following letter has been received by Mr Stunt, of Southerham, from a labouring man who worked on his farm, and left this country for Sydney in May last year, but has since removed to New Zealand: –

New Zealand, Dec. 15th, 1838.

SIR, – I have taken the opportunity of sending the letter by the Coromandel loading with timber here, but I expect it will be March before she sails. Sir, we hope, please God, to find you, friends and relations, in good health as it leaves us perfectly well. Sir, we are in a beautiful climate, which agrees uncommonly well; more like England than Sydney, little warmer, black soil, clay beneath; much before Sydney to my thinking, which you may see in the natives. The natives here are strong-looking people, brown coloured, and the natives at Sydney are black, thin, hagged people. We have plenty of hogs wild, the natives catch them with dogs; you

may have a large hog for a blanket or a little tobacco, but we have every thing of our masters the first year. Pork 4d. per pound, flour, 4d., sugar 6d. tea 3s., potatoes 2s., 100 lbs. – Gooseberries we gather wild like nettles; the gooseberries grow in shucks as filberts, they are something like a green cherry; we have peaches, oranges, melons, lemons, onions, cabbage, all good. If, please God, we live another year, we shall go on in a different way. We got land set out for us to sow wheat to keep us, and I shall be for breeding my own hogs. Our master got hogs in abundance, and goats, ducks, geese, fowls, cows, a bull, two or three horses. We have not yet got our houses built, they are almost cut out and begun to build, so will soon be up. Mary does not like the cottage we are in, we are so thick, three families. I think we shall, have a very comfortable house; my mate one end, we the other. There is no fear of having to buy fire wood; there is plenty close to our house. We cut board for ourselves, fell what we like of any sort there is; we made each a table of pine and I begun a chair, but I got many jobs; the saw-pit we work in is 31 feet long; some timber is six feet deep, and it seems a pity to turn such good timber as we burn down, counted as worth nothing.

Feb. 3rd. – We are about 20 miles up the river. The next place to us is Wymath, 12 miles, in cultivation, beautiful for corn and flocks of sheep belonging to the church missionaries; these are Wesleyans. The next place, the Bay of Islands, is a very drunken blackguard place, 30 miles from us. There is no place in the world scarce with such timber for masts for ships and other things as here. Our master by the Coromandel will clear, by all we can find out, 7,000l. or 8,000l.; the whole value I am told is 24,000l., or 25,000l., and they have it cut up for almost nothing; but they begin to get more awake. They will saw no more for their 4s. a-week; they work in this way 3 or 4 pair, so keep a European to sharp, and line, and look after them.

Feb. 10th. – The Captain died last week, and was buried in the chapel yard. I intend sending not one word wrong if I know it; many would not like the country, as there would be not company enough for them except natives, and no liquor of any kind to be got at Hokianga but seldom. The only reptile that seems venomous is the lizard. Many of them are about the trees, and you know they are harmless enough. The winters are cold and rainy, but little frost and no snow. I have a beautiful place at the end of my garden, the weather

and sun coming in front all open. I began to make a hedge, the first ever made, I suppose, in New Zealand, and am going to sow some turnips and plant beans. In this country almost any time will do. By the next time I send I shall be able to tell you a little better about what chance there is here when I have seen more about it. A person came from England with us by the name of Josh. England, and is living with missionaries at Wymath, gets 12s. a week, provisions for self, wife, three children, good house free, water, wood brought by the natives to his door, only as servant out doors to job about the stores. He is a shoemaker by trade.

So no more at present from your humble servant

C. SHAW.

TERMS OF PURCHASE FOR RURAL LANDS IN THE COMPANY'S SETTLEMENT.

THE company has already acquired very extensive tracts of land in the North Island of New Zealand, and has despatched two expeditions for the purpose of purchasing other lands, and of selecting the most eligible district for the first and principle district.

The company, in the first place, offered for sale 99,000 acres of country land, and 990 acres of town land, in their first and principal settlement, after making reserves for the special use of the natives. These lands thus offered have been disposed of at L.l per acre, thereby realizing to the company, a land-fund of L.99,990, and the rights of the purchasers thereof to priority of choice in the settlement have been determined by lot.

The directors are now ready to receive applications for country lands, to the extent of 50,000 acres, in sections of 100 acres each, at the price of 100l. per section, or 1l. per acre, to be paid in full, in exchange for the land orders, which will entitle the holders thereof, or their agents, to select country sections accordingly, either at the company's principal settlement, or at Hokianga, Caipara, Manukau, the islands of Waiheke and Paroa, the borders of the Thames, or any other part of the present or future territories of the company, so soon as the requisite surveys thereof shall have been completed. The holders will therefore select at pleasure, out of all the company's territories which shall then be surveyed as country sections, a section of 100 acres for each land order, in

the order in which the land orders shall be presented to the company's resident officer in New Zealand.

The land orders will be transferable at the pleasure of the holders; and a registry will be kept at the company's offices in London, and in the settlement, as well of original land orders, as of all transfers thereof.

Of the monies to be paid to the company by purchasers, 25 per cent, only will be reserved by the company for local expenses and other purposes. The remainder, being 75 per cent., will be laid out by the company for the exclusive benefit of the purchasers, in giving value to the land sold by defraying the cost of emigration to the settlements.

Original purchasers of land orders intending to emigrate, will be entitled to claim from the company out of the fund set apart for emigration, an expenditure equal to 60 per cent, of their purchase money, for a free passage for themselves, their families, and servants, subject to the company's regulations. Purchasers to the extent of at least 300 acres, not intending to emigrate, will also, in special cases, be allowed to nominate their land agent for a free cabin passage to the settlements.

The remainder of the fund set apart for emigration, will be laid out by the company in providing a free passage for young persons of the labouring class, and, as far as possible, of the two sexes, in equal proportions.

Labourers selected by purchasers for a free passage must be subject to approval by the company, as respects age, sex, and good character.

In the selection of other labouring emigrants, the company will give a preference to applicants who shall be under engagement to work for capitalists intending to emigrate.

A scale of the rates at which cabin and steerage passages will be provided by the company in proportion to the purchase-money of land orders, will be exhibited from time to time at the company's office.

The land orders are to be received as sufficient conveyances, and conclusive evidence of the company's title; and a certificate of an officer of the company in the settlement authorized in that behalf, mentioning the section fallen or assigned to the lot of any land order, is to be accepted as sufficient evidence thereof, and as an actual delivery of the possession of the section mentioned in such certificate; and the company are not to be considered as guaranteeing the title, except as against their own acts, and the acts of those deriving title under or in trust for them.

Forms of the land orders may be seen on application at the company's office.

By order of the directors,

JOHN WARD, Sec.
New Zealand Land Company's Office,
July, 80th, 1839.

REGULATIONS FOR LABOURERS WISHING TO EMIGRATE TO NEW ZEALAND.

1. BY the terms of purchase for lands in the company's first and principal settlement, dated 1st June, 1839, the company has engaged to lay out 75 per cent, of the monies received from purchasers, in defraying the cost of emigration to the settlement. According to those terms, purchasers and others may submit labouring persons of the class hereafter described, for a free passage, for the approval of the company. In the selection of labouring emigrants, the company has undertaken to give a preference to applicants who shall be under engagement to work for capitalists intending to emigrate.

2. The company therefore offers a free passage to the colony (including provisions and medical attendance during the voyage), to persons of the following description:

3. All emigrants, adults as well as children, must have been vaccinated, or have had the small-pox.

4. Emigrants will be for the most part embarked at the port of London, but the directors will occasionally appoint other ports of embarkation, as circumstances may require.

5. The expenses of reaching the port of embarkation must be borne by the emigrants; but on the day appointed for their embarkation they will be received, even though the departure of the ship should be delayed, and will be put to no further expense.

6. Every adult emigrant is allowed to take half a ton weight, or twenty cubic feet, of baggage. Extra baggage is liable to charge at the ordinary rate of freight per ton.

7. The emigrants must provide the bedding for themselves and children, and the necessary tools of their own trades; the, other articles most useful for emigrants to take with them, are strong plain clothing, or the materials for making clothes upon the passage. In providing clothing, it should be remembered that the usual length of the voyage is four months.

8. On the arrival of the emigrants in the colony, they will be received by an officer who will supply their immediate wants, assist them in reaching the place of their destination, be ready to advise with them in case of difficulty, and at all times to give them employment in the service of the company, if from any cause they should be unable to obtain it elsewhere. The emigrants will, however, be at perfect liberty to engage themselves to any one willing to employ them, and will make their own bargain for wages.

By order of the board,

JOHN WARD, Secretary.
New Zealand Land Company's Office,
1 Adam St., Adelphi, 29th June, 1839.

NEW ZEALAND INFANT SCHOOL.

LADIES PATRONESSES.

THE COUNTESS OF DURHAM.
LADY PETRE.
LADY MOLESWORTH,
HON. MRS BARING.

A lady, the wife of one of the earliest members of the first colony intending to settle in New Zealand, has resolved on the establishment of an Infant School for the benefit of the children of the Aborigines, and of the poorer class of settlers.

With this intention, she has purchased one of the preliminary sections of land, which she gives as a perpetual endowment for this purpose, and has taken upon herself the responsibility of guaranteeing the salary for the first year of a master and mistress, with their daughter, as an assistant, for whom she has likewise provided free passages, and accommodation on arriving in New Zealand.

The teacher engaged is Mr Buchanan, who, during the last twenty years, has superintended the first institution of this kind established in England.

It is intended to place the contributions in the hands of three trustees, leaving the management, in the first instance, to the lady who is the originator of the plan, who subscribes the larger portion of the funds, and who, proceeding to the colony with her husband, is willing to give as much of her time as

may be necessary for the personal superintendence of the school.

The trustees will make themselves responsible for the due administration of the funds, and detailed reports will be forwarded periodically to the subscribers in England.

An immediate outlay is required for building a school-room, as well as residence for master and mistress, with other incidental expenses at the commencement.

It is believed that, if the necessary buildings can be erected, the institution may shortly rely upon the exertions of the colonists themselves; and it is calculated that the sum of two hundred pounds will be sufficient to lay the foundation of a system which may hereafter extend itself over a large portion of the infant population of New Zealand.

Donations and annual subscriptions received by Dr Evans, chairman of the first colony, at the Office of the New Zealand Land Company, No. 1, Adam Street, Adelphi.

Trustees and other officers, including a committee of correspondents in England, will be appointed at a General Meeting of subscribers before the departure of the first colony.

Should these proposals meet with any considerable support, the plan will be extended so as to include an infant Orphan Asylum.

BANKERS.
Messrs. HANKEY, Fenchurch Street.

Dietary of all but Cabin Passengers, the Passengers to be in Messes of Six or more, according to the following Scale for one Adult: –

[Newspaper clippings found in book]

NEW ZEALAND

The following paragraph appears in the city article of the Times of Tuesday: –

Recent accounts from Launceston give a distressing and desponding narrative of the sufferings of the emigrants who had gone out to settle in New Zealand, but who, disappointed and disgusted with the state of affairs there, had returned in the Essington to the former place. The settlement is represented as being in a most lamentable state, and the greatest dissatisfaction is said to prevail amongst the unfortunate emigrants. Induced, it is said, by false and flattering exaggerations, to abandon their homes and their native countries, they discover immediately upon their arrival the treachery and inhumanity of their selfish deceivers. They find starvation where they had been led to expect abundance; and discontent and distress, where they were told prosperity and comfort reigned; they find it almost impossible to obtain a livelihood where they were assured wealth and independence would be their certain reward. There is no civil court at Port Nicholson, the chief settlement of New Zealand, for the recovery of debts, and, in consequence several of those who had arrived in the Essington abandoned their claims rather than lose the opportunity of quitting the place. The nominal rate of wages was 10s. per day, but there was no money to be had. Labourers and mechanics worked week after week without being paid, and among the passengers in the Essington were some to whom their employers owed upwards of L.9, they being obliged in the meanwhile to exist upon what little money they brought with them from England. Provisions were, high, and the 4 lb. loaf sold at 2s. There was very little land in cultivation, a large portion in the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson being a complete swamp, totally unfit for agricultural operations six months out of the twelve. At the time the Essington left, it had been blowing a continued gale of wind for some weeks, accompanied by heavy showers of rain. It is further stated that numbers of the emigrants were ready to leave the settlement by the first opportunity; and in order to relieve some of them as speedily as possible from their destitution, a vessel had been despatched from Launceston.

Hobart Town papers to the 5th February have come to hand, with late dates from the neighbouring colonies, Wheat was selling at 8s. 6d. to 9s. per bushel, and fine flour at 28s. per hundred pounds. It was hoped that before the end of the year there would be a sufficient number of steam-vessels in the Australian colonies to answer all the purposes of intercolonial navigation. At Port Philip some town allotments of land had been sold at L.700 per acre.

NEW ZEALAND

We extract the following from a letter which appeared in the New Zealand Journal of January 30:

"We have now been almost four months at this place, and we can therefore say something about it. When we landed it was autumn, and now we have arrived at the coldest of the winter. I did not feel anything remarkable in the autumn weather, except that we all kept so remarkably well I was often wet all day and although I used to get cold in London whenever I got wet feet or a wet jacket. I have never had anything of the kind here. This is experienced by everybody, and the doctor says that it is like Madeira and other places they send people to when they have consumption; and yet I am told the natives are very subject to that disease. I leave it to the doctors to reconcile these two facts, which seem to me contradictory. If it cures consumption or prevents it in us, why is it not of equal benefit to the natives? Perhaps it is on account of their being scrofulous, for there are a great many of them so afflicted, and that may arise from their diet; however, that is another point for the doctors. The natives are a fine set of fellows. They seem to me to be passionate, but good intentioned; indeed, they are wayward, like badly, brought up children. I am sure they will civilise very fast, for they imitate everything we do, though they often seem to wonder at our proceedings. They make capital traders, and know how to bargain for their pigs and potatoes as well as any European. M – – is a great favourite with them, because she is kind to their children (as she is, indeed, to every living thing); and I think they have great confidence in me, because I deal fairly with them, and treat them as my equals. Although, at first, sight, they are frightful looking fellows, even the children of the settlers have now got quite accustomed to them, and they walk in and but of our tents and houses without our feeling any risk. Some of them. I am told, will steal; but they never steal from us and that is because we place confidence in them. There is an old proverb, "give a dog a bad name and you hang him." but there ought to be another, namely, that if you give a man a good name he will try and deserve it. This is our rule with the natives, and we find it succeeds. I have a very high opinion of them, and I am quite sure they will improve every day. One thing I think some of the settlers will be disappointed in, and that is their labour. They will at times work very hard; when there is any object to attain, even the chiefs will labour as well as any; but they have as yet no idea of labouring steadily, as we do, for a continuance. The chiefs too are proud – they are proud of their birth, proud of their position, proud of everything that distinguishes them from their cookees, and even from their fighting men; so that as soon as they find out that our chiefs do not labour with the hand, they will not work as they have done.

"As to the soil we do not know much. Those who are knowing in such matters say, it is very rich, but they seem to fear there is not much flat land near the port. The Surveyor-General reports good soil wherever he goes, and I have heard no one speak of bad land anywhere; and I believe the farming people will do as well as others are doing now. All sorts of mechanics are getting well paid, and, as living is not over dear, all are saving money. The town lands are expected to be ready in ten days, and then wages will be very high. Indeed, I should think that all workmen connected with building will be paid high for many years. Bricklayers, carpenters, sawyers, plasterers, painters, and such like must be greatly wanted. Then there are 1100 town acres, and as three or four hundred houses will have to be built as soon as possible, the whole of our present population, all hands at work, will be not enough to do what is wanted. Then there are 1100 country sections of 100 acres each. How are these to be cultivated I should like to know? Why, it would require about 2000 labouring men to cultivate one-third of the quantity. I do not see where the labour is to come from at present, so that wages must be very high. I shall, therefore, content myself to work and save for a year or two to come; and M – – - is of the same way of thinking. Indeed, I have done so even in the little time I have been here."

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