1974 - Williams, W. The Turanga Journals - 1844 Letters and Journals, p 270-313

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1844

WILLIAM WILLIAMS JOURNAL TO THE C.M.S.

[January 1-10 Williams made a trip to Table Cape.]

January 5. [At Nuhaka] Baptized 18 children and married 3 couple. Set out for Table Cape, but having occasion to call on the way at Waikokopu the whaling station to see an Englishman whose eye has been injured by a Gun I took occasion to speak to the principal 1 of the station respecting the gross immoralities & general ill conduct of the people connected with these places, which now go to such a pitch as to make it necessary to caution the natives to withstand them altogether. On the way to Nukutaurua met a friendly chief who still continues outwardly a papist though in fact nothing at all. He was on his way to Ahuriri but finding that one of our teachers was going in a day or two, he turned back to accompany him. At Nukutaurua after pitching the tent held evening service.

January 6. Assembled the candidates for baptism who were in number about 100. Of this number all except the old people were examined in reading, and those were rejected who had not taken the trouble to acquire that knowledge. Only 33 were eventually received for baptism.

January 7. Sunday. Assembled the christian natives before breakfast to address them on the subject of the Lords Supper. It is to be feared that there is much want of true christian sincerity among them. Their temptations are many and there is at present but little opportunity of visiting them, and the native teachers to whose care they are wholly left are themselves ignorant and needing much care. Held morning service & baptized the candidates mentioned yesterday. At noon had service with the Europeans 12 in number & baptized 3 of their children.

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During the afternoon service baptized the native children 19 in number. In the evening administered the Lords Supper to 73 communicants.

[January 10. At Kaupapa. From January 10-31 Williams engaged in station duties at Kaupapa as well as in glazing the windows of his new house at 'Wakato' and in coping with the Werowero trader Peter Simpson who on January 16 'had a dangerous haemorrhage from an artery at the wrist'. On January 21 Baker arrived from Uawa and stayed until January 23.1

February 6. Candidates from Toanga 21 and the christian natives with whom I talked relative to the Lords Supper were 36. Captain Stratton made his appearance at noon proposing to return to the Bay [of Islands] immediately. In the prospect of removing Mrs. W. to our new house next week, I must of necessity wait some days & Captain Stratton consents to go first to Port Nicholson & call for us on his return.

February 7. Went up to Wakato & began to arrange some boxes in the store of the new house. Instructed a native to collect the shavings from about the building & burn them in small heaps at a distance from the house, showing to him the precise spot in which he was to do it. Returning to the spot I found him collecting a large heap immediately in front of the building when I directed him to carry them further off to burn, but no sooner was my back turned than he set fire to them where they were and then quickly walked away. I was at the back of the building, when in less than five minutes there was a cry of fire. I ran to the spot and saw instantly that the house must inevitably go, a large mass of shavings in the verandah were in flames which no one could approach. A carpenter & myself instantly rushed into the building and saved some loose windows & doors & then turned our attention to the store behind in which were several packages. By this time there was a good number of natives and also a few Europeans who rendered prompt assistance, & most of the things were got out, but the mess of rubbish in the building carried the fire like a train of gunpowder which assisted by a freshening breeze at the moment raged through the building & in less than five minutes from the commencement we were driven by the flames from the extreme part of the building. The most serious loss next to the building was three cases of Testaments which were so heavy that they could not be moved with the instantaneous effort which was required. I tried to move one of them but was obliged to abandon it and in less than a minute afterwards the natives pulled me from the last building which was then in flames. We could now only look from a distance at the awful blaze, and in about 20 minutes more, the whole was level with the ground. The wood of the three cases was now consumed but the mass of books which had been so closely packed did not readily admit the fire through them. And now a new scene commenced. The natives recognised the books & by the help of wet mats & other con-

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trivances they managed to snatch out from the flames a large number more or less uninjured. These I told them they might keep which made them all the more eager to obtain a portion of the prize, & I hope the number thus saved has been considerable. When I look back upon the desolation with which the place is marked. I cannot but mourn that there should have been so great a sacrifice of property, but there is withall much to be thankful for. Had this accident occured when our family was removed into the house the loss incurred would have been so much greater, but further we know not for what wise purpose this has been permitted by the great disposer of events. 2 . . .

February 8. Went to Wakato to see after the fragments of ironwork saved from the fire. The people of Paokahu came up to express their concern at the accident and seemed half inclined to give the infliction of a broken head to the native who caused the mischief. Came to the conclusion to erect a small rough building for present accommodation and sent for the sawyer & gave order for the requisite timber.

February 9. Engaged at Wakato. At eleven at night I was sent for to visit Peter Simpson at Werowero who again has serious haemorrhage from the wrist.

February 10. Returned home at 5 a.m. In the afternoon the communicants were assembled & addressed upon the approaching solemnity.

February 11. Sunday. Held two native services and one English. The communicants were 115 a number less by half than usual. This may be attributed in part to the late conversations I have had with them, and it is satisfactory that such should be the effect, for those who live without secret prayer and who are generally relaxed & lukewarm cannot be in a fit state to approach the table of the Lord.

February 12. Went this morning to visit a chief named Wata who with his party not only do not make any profession of Christianity, but have on many occasions been a great annoyance to those who do. The chief was friendly and it is agreed that one of the teachers shall regularly visit his party.

February 13. Packing up some of the things which were saved from the fire. Sent off letters to Uwawa & East Cape with some stores of Mr. Bakers.

February 14. Went to the sawmills at Pipiwaka to see after timber. Writing.

February 15. Occupied with teachers from Heretaunga, giving out clothes and books etc.

February 16. Writing.

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February 17. Went to Rakaukaka after timber. Kemp and his party from Paokahu, wishing to have his daughter married to a young chief who already has a wife. It shows a great derangement of feeling that there should be many persons who countenance this proposal.

February 18. Sunday. Held two native and one English service. Baptized 15 native children. Took occasion to address the natives upon the laxity of principle held by many, who would fain make to themselves another law & another gospel than that which has been delivered to us.

February 19. Setting out a small house at Wakato.

February 20. Commenced building a chimney.

February 26. Finished chimney for the new house. Heard of a disturbing case at Paokahu. The parties mentioned on the 17th have come together in spite of all remonstrance, and are supported by most of the relatives. Some few have left the place in consequence upon the principle of the Apostles injunction, 1 Cor. V.ll. 3

WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO EDWARD MARSH Turanga 20 February 1844

Here [Ahuriri] and elsewhere it was painful to observe much lukewarmness among professors, and that many have gone back from the truth. But so it has been from the beginning, and so did our Divine Master tell us it should be. The word was heard by many with joy, who by & by were offended. This state of things only shews the importance of having missionaries so located that they may visit the people more frequently than once a year. At Wairoa things were in a more cheerless state than anywhere else. But this is not to be wondered at. In addition to the want of proper attention, they have been disappointed for the last three years in the promise of a missionary. The Bishop talks of placing Mr. Hamlin there, who is one of the most valuable of our members, after he shall have been ordained deacon in September next. Mr. Hamlin will be admirably suited to such a place, but as clergyman he could not remain in the neighbourhood of Auckland. 4

I am now contemplating a visit to the Bay of Islands and Waimate to reside there for six months during a part of which time Henry is to reside at this place. The object of this visit is that I may take my seat with the learned professors of the New Zealand language--Messrs Maunsell, Puckey & Hamlin--to revise the translation of the Prayer

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Book. Our first attention was to have been given to the Testament, but the new edition given by the Bible Society renders this for the present unnecessary. My two eldest sons have been at home for twelve months, and have lost much time, expecting to return to school every month, but no opportunity was afforded until it was too late. They are now returning to school & I trust will derive advantage from the Bishops arrangements.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY MS (AUCKLAND INSTITUTE).

WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO ALFRED BROWN Turanga 20 February 1844

My venerable Brother,

We hear by a side wind of your late promotion, 5 which caused us much gratification .... After the forcible manner in which the Bishop had previously declared his approbation generally of the Societys missionaries, it will be particularly grateful to our friends at home to find that his good opinion was not the transient effect of first impressions, but that it continues after more perfect acquaintance has been formed. I hear also that our friend Hadfield is charged by his Lordship with the general superintendence of the district extending from Port Nicholson to New Plymouth. I did not hear that he has that designation which such authority would seem to imply, but perhaps that may follow hereafter. 6

I think the Bishop cannot approve of Mr Coles 7 proceedings who not only has baptized a large number of persons at Wairarapa, many of them contrary to the recommendation of the native teacher, but he rebaptizes those who come to him from the Wesleyans. This latter practice will doubtless accord with the views of the Puseyite school, but it does not agree with Hooker, 8 and is likely to cause soreness of feeling among those who are not of our church ....

I am glad to hear that your interview with the Bishop about the school is satisfactory. His Lordship has the faculty of making rough things smooth, and the plans formed by his gigantic mind, if suffered to take effect, will I trust accomplish all that is to be wished. But at present the school has not done anything. I hope to see things on a satisfactory footing before I return . . .

The excitement among the natives still continues in this quarter. If it be any proof of good being in progress that there should be much

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opposition raised by Satan, there must be very much good doing here. For the last 12 months the efforts have been continual, first in one tribe and then in another, to revive old customs and to draw aside in different ways those who have made profession of the truth. The consequence has been that while many remain stedfast, there are some who have renounced christian profession and many who are lukewarm. They present a striking illustration of the parable of the sower. They heard the word gladly at the first, but by & by some were offended; and in others the seed was choked by the cares for this world and it has become unfruitful. However the Lord knoweth them that are his.

A. N. BROWN PAPERS MICRO MS (ATL)

WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO CATHERINE HEATHCOTE

Turanga 26 February 1844

My two boys Leonard & Sydney have now been at home twelve months . . . They are the two opposites of bright and dull, and both require hard work for different reasons. The rest of our children do not feel the existing deficiencies so much. Our daughters Mary & Jane may be said to have come to the end of their education, which has been well attended to by their aunt, who now retires from this arduous post & gives place to a Mrs. Stanley, who was late governess to the children of Mrs. Hobson. We have much comfort in these children: they are dear good girls of affectionate dispositions, always active in assisting their mother, and take a most lively interest in the native school and the general well being of the natives. Our second family, for there is a wide gap of 6 1/2 years between Sydney & James, is still very young. James who is 6 years old is an active little fellow not deficient in abilities, but yet not so quick as his sister Maria who is just five and is now what Leonard was at her age--very fond of reading. Little Kate is a merry puss, very energetic whether it be reading a book of which she knows not a letter or in nursing her doll upon her back as the natives carry their children. Marianne is the last but not least in importance, the best tempered child her mother has had, with always a smile upon her countenance for everybody who notices her.

Our new governor 9 lately arrived, and I doubt not will be a great blessing to the country. He has just been to Port Nicholson to give his decision upon a case which has threatened the safety of the whole colony. You may perhaps have heard of a dreadful affray which took place some months ago at Wairau, a few miles from the town of Nelson. Several natives & Englishmen were killed, and eleven of the latter under circumstances of a very revolting character, for they were slaughtered

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after they had laid down their arms to the natives. 10 But the blame of the whole affair rests upon our own countrymen, who began with much indiscretion, & gave much provocation to the natives. The governor has given his decision in favour of the natives, no doubt much to the annoyance of the settlers who have been intent upon having the lives of the two principal chiefs 11 concerned in the affray.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY MS (AUCKLAND INSTITUTE).

WILLIAM WILLIAMS JOURNAL TO THE C.M.S.

March 1 & 2. Packing up boxes for the Bay & writing.

March 11. Read with a Bible class from Ngaiteaweawe 42 & catechized 32 candidates examining them also in reading. The Columbine returned from Port Nicholson & Capt. Stratton came up to Kaupapa. Sat up late to finish letters & to pack.

March 12. Went with my sons Leonard & Sydney on board the Columbine & endeavoured without success to find a package containing their clothes. The natives landed all the goods & among them two cases of books. Took leave of the boys commending them to the care of their heavenly father.

March 13. Unwell through the night, but set for to go to Werowero to see Simpson whose hand had again bled profusely. When I got to Werowero found he was gone away in Columbine. This unhappy man has now been several times at the point of death in consequence of his excesses on Christmas Day when in a state of intoxication he cut the artery of the wrist with a glass window.

March 14. Occupied at Wakato. Held the lecture in the evening.

March 15. Read with Bible Class of 13 from Ngaitahupo & catechized 55 candidates. The idea of a baptism has roused up many to a better attendance but there are very many who cannot be admitted.

March 24. Sunday. At morning native service baptized 141 adults most of whom have been candidates of long standing. Many women whose husbands have been received on former occasions. There are no cases of striking interest among the whole number for those endowed with the quickest natural parts have for the most part been admitted to baptism previously. But doubtless there are some at least humble &

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sincere who shall hereafter shine as jewels in the crown of him who has redeemed them.

March 25. Administered medicine to several parties who came from a distance.

March 26. Went to the Pa to visit the sick.

JANE WILLIAMS TO CATHERINE HEATHCOTE Turanga 1 March 1844

What can I say to you for allowing so many months to pass away without addressing a single line to you. I am quite ashamed I must confess when I think of the date of my last letter to you, and will not attempt to make any excuse for my neglect, but must beg you will not follow my bad example .... We rejoice to find you are prospering in your efforts to promote the good cause in poor Southwell. Times are certainly changing and it is a token for you if a prebendary ventures to lift up his voice on behalf of C.M.S. in that pulpit, and tho' but few of the rich and learned countenance you, yet you seem to have the support of all the really good in the neighbourhood. May God continue to bless your exertions, and may personal religion increase among the various members of your two Societies in proportion with their zeal for the heathen.

I hope you have heard ... of the birth of our little Marianne ... It was an occasion of especial mercy, and the dear child has continued to thrive and to be an object of very great interest to her elder brothers. and sisters. We often call her Mary's and Jane's live doll, they take so much pleasure in doing anything for her. Of poor Mr. Dudley's alarming illness during the preceding summer you have doubtless heard also; he kept us in a continual state of excitement and alarm night and day till he was removed to the Bay of Islands. Wm. accompanied him thither ... he returned in March [1843] bringing back with him Mary, Leonard, and Sydney, thus re-uniting our family. After their return I was a good deal indisposed for some time owing chiefly I think to the perpetual alarm & anxiety we had been in so long. Poor Mr. D. I am happy to say began to recover soon after Wm. left the Bay, and was gradually, thro' the blessing of God, restored to his senses and has remained perfectly well ever since. He is not however to return to this coast, but is to remain at Waimate, a very good arrangement, for his nerves are by no means strong enough to encounter the difficulties of a large remote district, apart from all English Society. Mrs. Dudley is a dear creature and her Christian character shone brightly during his long season of affliction. I was much grieved at parting with her.

Our two boys were to have returned to school in six weeks, but owing to the Columbine's disasters on the Western Coast 12 there was no

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opportunity of sending them for more than six months, and then the school had broken up for the summer. They are now ready again for their departure and I hope that this time there will be no impediment to their returning, for having been a full year at home they have lost much valuable time, for their Father's avocations are too varied and numerous to allow of his giving them the attention they require. Indeed he is not able to answer all the demands upon his time, and whether he will ever have anyone to assist him here is very uncertain. It is, nevertheless, exceedingly desirable, for he is necessarily frequently away from home, which has naturally a very bad effect upon his flock among whom our great enemy is very active, not, however, in the shape of popish priests--we are happily not troubled with these--but he is perpetually stirring them up to resort to their former practices, and we often have much to discourage us. The seed sown appeared to spring up vigorously at first but many tares have grown up with the wheat. Almost all profess to be Christians, but when they find the precepts of the Gospel interfere with their plans and ideas they are offended and fall away. There are nevertheless many who we trust are sincere, but like young tender plants they want continual watering and nourishing or they wither and fade. They and we too greatly need the prayers of our friends at home.

Our school too has flagged greatly, but is recovering a little. The attendance is always irregular, and many when they can read a little, leave off altogether, but this is perhaps not much to be wondered at as a large proportion of our pupils are married women, most of whom have families, and the only time we can get them to attend is early in the morning. Some time ago we tried to get the young girls to come to us after breakfast, wishing to teach them a little arithmetic in addition to sewing, writing, dictation etc. For a little time they were much pleased, but as soon as the novelty wore off they dropped off one by one and we had no means of getting them back, as the parents have not even the shadow of authority over their children. Our great desideratum is an infant school, and that we intend to set on foot as soon as we can, but the way is not clear yet. There would be no difficulty about a building, but we want a teacher. Besides which it would be necessary to give them, the children, one meal a day in consequence of the irregular mode of living among the natives, sometimes eating every hour, at others passing a great many hours without eating at all. It will also be requisite to keep a set of garments for them to be worn merely during school hours. Perhaps in this last, your working parties might be disposed to render us a little assistance. A round pinafore with sleeves is all that is necessary, and I am going to have some made as soon as I can, in order to collect some of the children together on a Sunday and

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take them to church (as many as are big enough) as their parents neglect them sadly and leave them to make an uproar and play about especially during service time. This will be a beginning, and in the course of time I hope we may have a proper infant school.

We have had much to contend with among our domestics and the conduct of some of our old ones has wounded us greatly. Just now we have a very rough and reckless set in the house, and I should be much perplexed were it not that Mary and Jane are both at home and are very valuable assistants to me, both at school and in the domestic work....

We have much, very much to be thankful for; had it [the fire] occurred a few days later, all we possess would have been in the house. As it is we have a great many comforts remaining to us, for which we desire to feel grateful to Him who permitted this misfortune to befal us, doubtless for wise and merciful reasons. Mr. & Mrs. Maunsell a few months since from a similar calamity lost books, clothes, furniture, in short everything, and she poor thing was confined the following day in a carpenter's shop where they had taken refuge. How small is our trial compared with theirs. In consequence of this sad affair, William is obliged to send Leonard and Sydney without him and defers his own departure till something has been done for a shelter for us for the winter; our present abode being in too delapidated a condition to afford it. He has determined to have a small building erected in rough style which may answer hereafter as a store, and into this we shall move as soon as it is habitable.

Our prospects are therefore somewhat changed and instead of a nice commodious house affording some common English comforts, we must for a good while to come be contented with such a place as a few weeks will serve to erect, and which is not much more than half the size of what we now inhabit. For this however we shall be thankful if it protects us from wind & rain which our present abode does not do. I regret it chiefly on account of my children as living in the make-shift style leaves so little time to devote to their improvement.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY MS (AUCKLAND INSTITUTE).

WILLIAM WILLIAMS JOURNAL TO THE C.M.S.

April 1. Altered chimney & packed up medicines. Heard of the arrival of a Popish priest at Hick's Bay & that another is to come to Table Cape. 13 It is now two years since their post in this neighbourhood was deserted for want of encouragement from the natives, and I pray that they may have as little prospect of success now.

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April 2, 3, 4. Preparing for a removal to Wakato.

April 5. Good Friday. Held two native and one English service.

April 6. Received a visit from William Tako a chief of Port Nicholson one of the most pleasing specimens of a progress towards civilization which I have ever witnessed. The change in this case is evidently owing only in a modified degree to intercourse with our countrymen, but it is to the influence of Christianity that he is chiefly indebted. I cannot ascertain much of his real character, but from questions put to him I am thankful to learn that very many of the natives who by their situation are exposed to much temptation feel the necessity of keeping to a great extent aloof from our countrymen. It is however a dangerous position for them to be placed in and many are likely to be carried by the stream.

April 22. Occupied some hours with Moses the teacher & a party from Taikawakawa respecting some unpleasant quarrels he has had with his people, in which he has shown a spirit not altogether consistent with christian character.

April 23. Heavy rain prevented my preparations for journey to Opotiki. Making arrangements about the house. The roof of our new house is leaky in every part & will require a good deal of care to make the house habitable.

April 24. The weather improving I continued to prepare for departure tomorrow.

April 25. Bid farewell to my family & set forth on my journey to the Bay of Islands. All the natives I met were warm in their expressions on my departure. It was near sunset when we reached Patutahi where accordingly we staid for the night. Held prayers with the natives and addressed them.

April 26. Set out at sunrise & breakfasted at Taureka. Gave the natives a word on parting and continued the distance of about 20 miles. We have with us an old man of the old school. He was for a time a candidate for baptism but having a trifling quarrel with some of his people he gave away his books and his profession together.

April 27. Continued our journey towards the end of Turanga valley, and at 4 o'clock we came to a potatoe plantation belonging to the old man where we are to remain till Monday morning. Our guide was very communicative upon the subject of their former history, but he takes little interest in that which is of more importance. The natives were set to dig up potatoes, and all were busily occupied in making preparations for our comfort the chief requisites for which are food & firewood.

April 28. Sunday. Our encampment is a quiet enclosure in the middle of a wood where the sun scarcely reached us at midday over the sur-

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rounding trees. Here we spent a peaceful sabbath, lifting up our prayers and praises from a spot where probably they have never sounded before.

April 29. We set out early on our way and instead of walking up the bed of the river which was my former route, we continued on the range of hills throughout the day.

April 30. The weather was threatening this morning but we travelled without serious inconvenience to Pakihi the upper part of Opotoki river. Here the rain began to fall heavily & though early in the afternoon we had to stop, the natives erected a large shed in which we all took refuge.

May 1. During the night there was heavy rain with thunder & lightning and the roof of our shed leaked so much that we had difficulty to keep ourselves dry. After nine this morning the weather cleared and we travelled on the ridge of hills to Wakangaire.

May 2. Came to the end of the wood at 1/2 past one & then walked down the river continually fording the stream, often up to the middle in water. At sunset we stopped, at an empty shed, where the warmth of the fire and warm food soon made us comfortable. We were all through mercy preserved from the effects of the cold stream.

May 3. After breakfast we continued down the valley and were hospitably entertained by a party of natives with whom we staid about three hours and then passed on to Mr. Wilson's house.

May 4. Accompanied Mr. Wilson to the Pa to see several sick natives. The pa is in a damp situation with many pools of stagnant water which are enough to destroy all the population. The consequence is that they have been much affected with an epidemic which has carried off many. Mr. W. hopes to induce the people to remove to a rising ground on the mission station which will be a great advantage both to the people & their instructor.

May 5. Sunday. Held service in the Pa with a good congregation, but it is a subject of grief that an assemblage nearly as large met at the house of the Popish priest. 14 The case is that the party who have not attended to any instruction but have been marked for their ill conduct on all occasions and still continue in the same mind have declared their adherence to the priest, under whose discipline they are permitted to act as they list, if so be that they will attend to his service. In the afternoon held English service at Mr. Wilson's house. Feeling a slight return of my lumbago I staid away from the evening service.

May 6. Left Mr. Wilsons house at 10 o'clock and proceeded to the Pa on my way to Tauranga. I found there a number of the principal men waiting to speak with me about cutting a road through the wood to Turanga. But their ideas are so large on the subject of payment

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that for the present the work must remain until they become more reasonable. The party are principally papists and this perhaps is the reason of the difficulty. Had an encounter with a native belonging to the Rarawa tribe who is a staunch follower of the priest. Proceeded to Ohiwa where we were fortunate enough to meet with a canoe to put us across the deep river. Some time after sunset we brought up near Wakatane.

May 7. Went on to Wakatane to breakfast and in the afternoon reached Matata. Walking on ahead of my natives I came up to two women gathering shellfish. One of them asked if I was a pikopo. I said no. Do you then belong to Christ. Yes. This answer satisfied her that all was right. At the little village in which we stayed, there is a popish party 15 as well as our own & the people told me that on Sunday last they had had a discussion which was commenced by the papists & did not terminate with a friendly feeling. After our evening service therefore I sent a note to them proposing to talk further with them.

May 8. Went to the Popish party and talked with them for two hours pointing out the errors of their present course. But ignorance combined with the greater licence which is given in allowing a conformity with many old native practices tends to keep the ill disposed in a state of bondage. Left Matata and went on in the rain for 3 hours to Otamarakau where we gladly took shelter for the rest of the day. Conversed with the people for a long time on general subjects after evening prayers.

May 9. Reached Maketu at an early hour. It is a populous village with but few who profess Christianity. The protracted hostility with Tauranga 16 has tended to hinder them from receiving the gospel. The christian party is headed by the principal chief's son, but the father has not yet followed his son's example. 17 He however came to see me and gave me a very different welcome from that I received when last here, & pressed me to stay over Sunday with them. He had also much to say about the erection of a chapel which Mr. Chapman has proposed and which he says he will come to when it is built. 18 The Popish party

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here is numerous 19 which is always the case where there is much evil going on. The christian natives gladly assembled for catechetical instruction & kept me up till one in the morning.

May 10. I determined to comply in part with Amohau's request by remaining over to day. Went with the old man after breakfast to see the site for his chapel & to receive some explanations he wishes me to take to Mr. Chapman & finding that there was nothing more to hinder my movements we left at noon for Tauranga, which we reached after dark, just too late for us to make an advantageous signal for a boat to fetch us across the broad reach of the sea separating the beach from the mission station. We kept a fire up & used our lungs for about two hours when at last our voices were answered & a boat came over & took us to Mr. Brown's by nine o'clock.

May 11. Spent the day in conversation with Mr. Brown.

May 12. Sunday. Held native and English service in the Chapel which is a neat little building with Gothic windows and doors. In the afternoon went with Mr. Brown to Maungatapu where the congregation was about 130. Many were away but the chief Nuka has lately joined us and the cause is advancing.

May 13. Prepared medicines for Maketu.

May 14. Left Tauranga after dinner and proceeded in Mr. Brown's boat to Matakana a small pa on an island about half way across the inland sea. Here we found Nuka the chief of Maungatapu, who has lately made a profession of Christianity. The christian party here is increasing in influence but there has been much to hinder their progress.

May 15. Proceeded on our way about an hour before daylight and got to the landing place at nine. We passed the site of the pa where a small party of professed christians were lately cut off by Taraia of the Thames, 20 and since that period the road over which we are to travel has been abandoned & it is only by special permission we are allowed to go this way. After breakfast we ascended the hills & then traversed the country which lies between Tauranga and the Thames, till night brought dark before we had accomplished our distance.

May 16. We soon descended into the vale of the Thames, but the fern has grown so high & the path was so difficult to find that we spent the day in reaching a pa which lies on the Waihou river. Here was a christian party which received us kindly & was glad to obtain a word of instruction.

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May 17. Rain fell in the night & this morning the prospect was gloomy, but after a time the sky cleared & I proposed to move. The people of the place are going down the river to take up Kumura & this favors our speedy passage to Mr. Preece's. We were therefore soon afloat and went about 30 miles down until the flood tide obliged us to go on shore. We passed in the morning a neat cottage belonging to Mr. Thorpe 21 who is engaged in agricultural pusuits. It is quite a cheering spot in the wilderness.

May 18. Left our encampment at daylight having a foul wind to pull against which made the last 7 miles to Mr. Preece's tedious. 22 We at length reached the station but Mr. P. was from home. The appearance of the house and chapel from the water was pleasing but on a nearer approach the situation is forbidding. Up a steep hill exposed to winds on every side. Mrs. Preece gave me a hearty welcome. 23 Her rising family of six children gives her full occupation.

May 19. Sunday. Held two native services in the chapel. The congregation is not large about 120 but it was attentive & I was glad to see Hunauru & other leading chiefs present. In the evening we had English service in the House.

May 26. Sunday. Weather fine. A congregation of about 200 natives were present at morning service. Catechized the natives. Held English service at 2 oclock and baptized 2 English children. Evening service at 4 oclock.

May 27. The wind being favorable I left with Mr. Warbrick 24 for Auckland. We had rather a strong breeze in crossing the frith, but a fine sea boat was every advantage and we reached Orere in 2 1/2 hours. Here we hailed the natives & learnt that Mr. Dudley 25 was on shore and he soon made his appearance to examine who we were. I was very thankful to find him in perfect health and apparently comfortable among the natives. Orere is a lovely spot for a missionarys residence and the natives living there are an interesting party. I was much shocked to

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learn from Mr. D. that Marsh Brown 26 has been most dangerously ill but that by the last account it was hoped that danger was passed. After taking dinner, I went with Mr. D. to the evening service and addressed the natives. We then unpacked & proceeded on our voyage to the island Pakihi with very little wind. At Pakihi we got aground and were delayed some time. I then laid down to sleep till towards morning, when we found ourselves off the heads of Auckland.

May 28. Took an early breakfast and went on shore outside the heads and walked over to the Pilots house from whence we had an interesting view of the town of Auckland. The number of good houses is surprizing but the most pleasing object is the brick church 27 a neat building of the Elizabethan style of architecture standing on the most prominent and central part of the town as a beacon for the weariest wanderer. Landed at Mr. Clarkes 28 about noon & found Mrs. C. & Mrs. Ludbroke 29 the former labouring under indisposition. Shortly after I had the pleasure of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Martin 30 who called upon Mrs. Clarke. Mr. Clarke came home in the evening from an official visit to the natives.

May 29. Called on the Govr. and was introduced to Mrs. Fitzroy a lady of truly christian character who takes the lead in doing good. Called also on Mrs. Martin.

May 30. The Victoria Brig arrived at breakfast time & very soon Mr. Brown was on shore, and is anxiously looking for further information respecting the illness of his son. Paid a visit to the Council Chamber and listened for an hour to the prosy bungling opposition of Dr. Martin 31 to every measure of the Govr. whether right or wrong. We then went to a sight far more interesting than the council, to a weavers loom which is engaged in manufacturing the N. Zealand flax into a coarse fabric of about the substance of sack. Went to dine with Judge Martin & spent a most agreeable evening.

May 31. A gale from the N E has brought in a vessel from the Bay of Islands in the night and we receive the grateful tidings that Marsh Brown is out of danger & rapidly recovering. Called with Mr. Brown upon Mr. Matthews 32 & Mr. Churton 33 and dined at Government House. Our walk however to and from thence makes good all the stories which have been circulated about Auckland. It was a pouring

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rain & of course we were not in most comfortable plight, but the kind hospitality of the Govr. & his lady made up for all. Mrs. Clarke is seriously ill and obliged to call in the medical aid of Dr. Davies. 34

[In June and July 1844, William Williams wrote two letters in the form of a diary; the second dated July 17 was to his wife, Jane, and the first, undated, was presumably to her as well. Where these entries give additional information to the C.M.S. Journal entries, they have been added in round brackets at the end of the Journal entry. The letters are from Williams Family MS (Auckland Institute).]

June 2. Went in the morning to hold service with the natives at Remuera. Found a large party of the Waikato people 35 with Werowero and other chiefs now professing Christianity. A vast change since my former visit to this tribe some years ago. 36 From thence I went to the Ngatiwatua tribe and held service with a small party. In the afternoon I accompanied Archdn Brown to the church and heard a sermon from Mr. Churton.

June 4. Went on board the Victoria 37 at ten & got under weigh in the evening my fellow passengers being Captn Clendon, Mr. Thompson & Mr Jerningham. 38

June 5. Light wind from N.W. during the night. Worked out during the day to Hauturu.

June 6. Light wind from S.W. Off Wangarei in the evening.

June 7. Off Cape Brett. In the evening we were becalmed and about an hour after sunset I was agreeably surprised by the arrival of my brother on board who is now on his way to Turanga to take my place. He staid on board for three hours & gave me a general outline of passing events.

June 8. Met an American vessel in the morning from which Mr. Busby boarded us on his way to America. 39 Shortly after Mr. Maunsell 40 came off & I accompanied him on shore. Sat up late preparing for tomorrow, having first been to see Mrs. Busby in her misfortunes.

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June 9. Sunday. Held 2 native & one English service.

June 10. Finding that the Bishop is away at Mangukahia & returns this evening I went to Waimate 41 by way of Pakaraka and in the evening met my numerous friends now residing at St. Johns. Took tea with Mr. & Mrs. Chapman and then with the Bishop & Mrs. Selwyn.

June 11. Sent for Mr. Maunsell to come and have an interview with the Bishop. Accompanied his Lordship after prayers to the school for the native teachers. 42 Mr. Maunsell came in the evening from Kororareka and Mr. Hobbs, 43 Wesleyan missionary from Hokianga and spent the evening at the Bishops. The Bishop had much conversation with Mr. Hobbs relative to the differences with the Wesleyans.

June 12. The Bishop pressed Mr. Hobbs to stay and be present at our first language meeting, when some preliminary rules were laid down for our future proceedings. 44 (I was much amused by a long conversation between the Bishop and Mr. Hobbs ... It will I think do good, at all events I think Mr. Hobbs will leave with a favorable opinion of the Bishop.)

June 13. The Bishop set off to Kaitaia in the rain. Engaged in preparations for Sunday. Poor Marsh Brown continues in a precarious state but has some favorable symptoms. (The weather was bad this morning but the Bishop had made an appointment to be at Kaitaia by Sunday, & therefore according to his practice, he did not allow the rain to hinder him. I did not however think it necessary to make a move & therefore remained quiet till the weather may be better. In the evening Mrs. Selwyn kindly invited Leonard & Sydney to tea. Poor Marsh is in a very precarious state . . . Mr. Cotton & Samuel 45 take it in turns to sleep by him & Mr. & Mrs. Chapman are with him during the greater part of the day.

{June 14. It has been arranged that Mrs. Dudley shall go to spend a

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few days at Mrs. Busby's & set Marianne 46 at liberty. I therefore took her down today to Kerikeri & thence to Waitangi. Mrs. Kemp is looking much better in health, & Mr. Kemp 47 is as hearty as ever.)

June 16. Sunday. Held morning service at Kororareka and then went to Otuihu. The change at the latter place is gratifying. Where formerly every effort to obtain a hearing was fruitless there is now a congregation of about 40 natives who regularly meet for christian worship.

June 17. Occupied through the day revising the Prayer Book.

(June 18. The Bishop . . . came 36 miles yesterday, & reached home this afternoon.)

June 19. Occupied 5 hours with the translation but made little progress. (Every inch of ground is warmly contested. I am endeavouring to ascertain the state of the school, & come to the conclusion that it is better than it has been, and that some attention is now given to religious instruction. I hope that it may go on improving, and the Bishop proposes to have a vessel sent round to take up the children at the regular season.)

June 20. Language. Much discussion upon preliminary points. Long conversation with the Bishop. 48 (He talked about the Waimate & his plans for the native school. Took tea in the evening with Christopher & Marianne.)

(June 22. Mrs. Chapman was to go to Mrs. Busby today and relieve Mrs. Dudley, but the weather was very bad & Marianne & I were obliged to go without her. Leonard & Sydney went down with us having three days holiday which constitutes the whole of the vacation at this season. On the subject of holidays & idle time I am better satisfied than I was, but I must make further observation.)

June 23. Sunday. Had a slight touch of lumbago but was able to hold the service. The native congregation was about 70, and at school I had a good Bible class and class for catechism.

June 24. Went over to Kororareka, and then set out for Waimate with Mr. Maunsell which we reached about six oclock. Worked with Mr. Maunsell till 12 oclock. Marsh Brown is decidedly better, but his knees are still without any more power than they had when I first came. (Talked with some of the natives who remained over yesterday, and

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had a visit from Pomare's brother & his wife who came to "korero" for the first time--a sign of better things.)

June 25. Examined the Exhortation which took us five hours. In the afternoon went to see the rope walk and the loom which are to furnish occupation to the children of the native school. (The Bishop's plan is to find employment for the natives who are now brought together, & whatever they will earn, to give them for their own benefit. His plans certainly are admirable & whatever he undertakes he follows up with much spirit. The old barn is to be occupied partly as an infant school room and partly as a workshop 49 for hackling flax & carding wool & then for spinning their materials which are thus to be woven into cloth somewhat coarser than Linsey woolsey. Today is the Bishops wedding day having been married five years . . . Mrs. Selwyns little boy was baptized yesterday by the name of John. He is now about four weeks old.) 50

June 26. Revising translation to the end of the Lords Prayer. June 27. Revised to the middle of Te Deum.

June 28. Revised to the end of the Benedictus. (The Bishop set off to Kerikeri and goes on tomorrow to hold a confirmation at Tepuna. In the evening Marianne & Christopher [Davies] with Samuel took tea with Mrs. Selwyn. We had a pleasant evening and enjoyed the treat of the piano at which both Mrs. S. and Mrs. D. played & sang sweetly.) 51

June 29. Left Waimate soon after 7 and reached Paihia at 11. Found the natives assembled from Kawakawa and was occupied with them till after dark catechizing the candidates for confirmation and reading with the older christian natives. (A cutter from Auckland has been due many days, and great apprehensions are expressed for her safety. Mrs. Pringle and her two children are on board and her husband is in extreme distress. A vessel came in today from Auckland being only three days on her passage with no tidings.)

June 30. Sunday. Held three services at Paihia. The native congregation good. (This morning the Rangu--the missing cutter--was seen

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at anchor off Moturoa .... In the evening went with Mrs. Chapman to Mrs. Busbys, who continues cheerful, but still is anxious to know what is to be done in her case. It is now a month that the sheriffs officers have been in the home.) 52

July 2. Left Paihia in the rain and reached Waimate at 12 oclock. Revised in the afternoon the 100th Psalm.

July 3. Revised to end of Prayer for the Queen.

July 4. Revised to end of Morning Prayer.

July 5. Revised to the Collects in Evening Prayer. In the afternoon walked with the Bishop to Paihia and arrived at 8 oclock.

July 6. Went over to Mrs. Busby's at 11 and met there an express requiring me to go to Kororareka. Went and found Heke bent on mischief and the inhabitants in much excitement. 53 On my return went to the chapel where the Bishop was just concluding the confirmation service. Afterwards catechized the communicants for an hour.

July 7. Sunday. Went to native service at 8. I read prayers & the Bishop preached. 150 natives at the Lords Supper. At the English Service the Bishop again preached. In the afternoon attended school & evening prayers.

July 8. Heke's party cut down the flag staff and returned from Kororareka to Paihia when the Bishop and I had an interview with him. The Kawakawa chiefs were there also & expressed strongly their disapproval of Heke's proceedings, but Heke and his people were very saucy & set the Govr. and the settlers at defiance. He stated that the Americans have urged them to cut down the Flag Staff, saying that no Ships would come to the Bay as long as it was allowed to remain. 54 Walked to Waimate with the Bishop.

July 9. Revised part of Athanasian Creed.

July 10. Finished the Athanasian Creed. Archdeacon Brown arrived at Paihia from Tauranga having been sent for in consequence of the illness of his son.

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July 11. Finished the Litany.

July 12. Finished the Occasional Prayers. Archdeacon Brown reached Waimate.

July 13. Finished the thanksgiving. Moved Marsh Brown to Mr. Chapman's sitting room.

July 14. Sunday. Two native & two English services, which were divided between the Bishop Mr. Maunsell and myself.

July 15. Attended the schools till 12 oclock. Revised 5 Collects.

July 16. Revised 26 Collects.

July 17. Revised 12 Collects. A meeting having been called by the Bishop of the native chiefs for the purpose of learning their minds respecting the late outrage at Kororareka several were assembled today but not a sufficient number to express a general opinion. Heke arrived in the evening and attended evening service, after which I had a private conversation with him hoping to find him more moderate in his ideas but was disappointed.

July 18. Revised 22 Collects. The meeting of the chiefs took place at 12 oclock when several leading men spoke well and even Heke was much better than had been expected. 55 The result was that a letter was written & signed by the chiefs to the Governor expressive of the wish of the natives to avoid collision with the government. (July 18. Today, more of the leading men made their appearance and the meeting was held before the Bishop's house . . . The conclusion they came to was to write a letter to the Governor expressive of the disapproval of the measure taken by Heke, & Heke himself proposes to put up a new flag staff & to behave better for the future. It appears however that he has been instigated to this step & that Mayhew 56 has said to the natives repeatedly that no vessels will come to the Bay so long as the English flag flies at Kororareka.)

July 19. The natives came again and occupied the whole morning and Heke made a proposal to erect a new flag staff at Kororareka which proposal was embodied in a letter to the Governor. 57 In the evening a party from Wangaroa came and expressed a proper feeling upon the late disturbance. In the course of the afternoon we revised a few collects.

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July 20. The Bishop and Mr. Maunsell left at nine and his lordship embarked as soon as he reached the Bay, for Auckland. I followed to Paihia a few hours afterwards and read with a Bible Class of 14 in the afternoon.

July 21. Sunday. A congregation of 70 natives and of 35 English. School in the afternoon.

(July 22. Called upon Mrs. Busby. The poor woman is now in comparative comfort. A large part of her furniture has been bought in, which, in addition to the value of £50 which the Bank allowed, gives her all in that way which she requires. But what is better than this, there is a large quantity of kauri gum which Mr B. had appropriated to pay his Sydney creditors & which would have nearly satisfied their demands upon him. This was seized by the Bank, and Mr Hanley, 58 supposing it to be of trifling value sold it to Samuel [Williams] for £100, whereas in Sydney it will fetch nearly £1000. The money to pay for this is advanced by different parties & the gum is gone off to Sydney. The business like manner in which Samuel has conducted the matter is most satisfactory.)

July 23. Revised a part of Communion Service. Held the Lecture in Hooker for the Bishop.

July 24. Revised part of Communion Service.

July 25. 26. 27. Held two Lectures in Hooker and completed the Communion Service.

July 28. Sunday. Held native service twice at Waimate.

July 29. Attended morning school. Revised a part of the Baptismal Service.

July 30. Concluded Baptismal service for Infants, Marsh Brown is considered to be worse and my nephew Samuel is leaving for Auckland to fetch Mrs. Brown.

July 31. Began the revision of the Psalms. Held Lecture in Hooker. Samuel sailed in the Diana Brig.

JANE WILLIAMS TO CATHERINE HEATHCOTE Turanga 9 July 1844

We now very seldom enjoy the privilege of receiving letters from any part, a vessel of any kind scarcely ever touching at Poverty Bay now-a-days, which I imagine may be partly attributed to the want of secure anchorage in bad weather, many small vessels having been wrecked on this Eastern coast, and partly to the stagnation of trade both at Port Nicholson and Auckland. It is now above five months since we received

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letters, and four since we had an opportunity of sending anywhere by ship, and this want of the means of communication very greatly increases the trial of being alone this winter, for it takes no longer for me to get a letter from you at Southwell than from Marianne at Paihia. My husband has been absent now nearly three months, and I trust is comfortably located at the Waimate, but as yet I have heard nothing from him except a few lines written during the first stage of his journey. Nor have we yet heard anything of our boys who left us in the month of March. Of the loss of our dwelling by fire I think I told you in my last. We are now living in a small house which was put up in a rough hasty manner for present accommodation. It has one pleasant room, but excepting that it is not very commodious, tho' we do not feel its inconveniences so much during the absence of my husband and boys, it does not afford any accommodation for domestics which obliged us to dismiss those who were living with us, and we are consequently often in want of assistance, having only the wives of our natives to depend on and they are very uncertain. We go on however in hopes of better days, but nothing can be done to improve our circumstances while William is away. When he returns, (if he is permitted to do so in health and safety) they will probably commence a building on the site of the one we have lost as the chimneys are standing and the situation cannot be improved. We shall have a nice garden, and it forms one of our chief recreations, (I might say our only one) at the present time, to look after it and plan the ornamental part of it, that the owner might not find us in a wilderness when he comes back, the flower garden being Mary's and Jane's department.

It is a very serious thing to the natives William being so continually from home, sheep having no shepherd will go astray, and an occasional substitute cannot do much. The Bishop will I have no doubt give him an assistant as soon as he can, but in the meantime many that did run will have slackened their pace, and some have altogether turned back, and among all there prevails such a spirit of indifference to the one thing needful, and not withstanding the profession of Christianity, as is very painful to behold. I am afraid you have at home much too high an opinion of the state of religion here; much ardour was evinced at first, and great eagerness for the word of God, but the requirements of the Gospel do not agree with the ideas of the unconverted heart whether it be English or native, and that ardour has subsided into perfect coolness on the part of many, and there is no longer to be seen any great desire to possess the Testament. There are some however of whom we may entertain a better opinion, and I trust the Holy Spirit will be shed abroad in the hearts of those who are at present contented to live without his gracious influence. . . .

Our Bishop has given another proof of his confidence in the missionary body by appointing Mr Brown Archdeacon of Tauranga and also by giving Mr Hadfield power to superintend all ecclesiastical affairs in his district which is adjoining Port Nicholson and I rather think

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includes that colony. Mr Cole the clergyman at Wellington belongs to the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel and reminds us more of some of the card-playing and dancing clergy of Southwell than any one we have seen in New Zealand--as light-minded as Mr Cotton without his cleverness. The latter I am sorry to say is a decided Tractarian and so I fear is Mrs Selwyn. 59 The Bishop is a good man and a conscientious man and I am sure has an earnest desire to do his duty as a Bishop. His views and ideas do not in all things coincide with ours, but we pray that he may be led into all truth and preserved from Puseyite errors. His Lordship has got a large party of missionaries around him this winter with William at their head, but of Waimate proceedings you will I dare say have heard a vast deal more than I can tell you from Marianne and William.

July 26th. Since I wrote the above we have had the pleasure of welcoming dear Henry, who reached Turanga two days ago, after a long and harassing voyage as far as the Bay of Plenty, and from thence an arduous journey overland. The joy occasioned by his arrival which we had been long expecting, was not small as you may suppose, and we have been keeping holiday these 2 days being quite too much excited to attend to regular business. He left the Bay of Islands before William's arrival there, but a providential calm enabled them to meet on board the Government Brig . . . Their interview of course was short, but it was pleasant to meet though for one half hour only, and very satisfactory to me who have been so long eagerly looking for some tidings of my husband. Henry's visit will be but a short one, but it will not be an idle one for there is plenty for him to do and more than he will get through. He brings us comfortable news of all our relatives at the Bay including my two dear boys who are at school. They have a new second master (Mr Cotton is the first) a Mr Hutton 60 of whom Henry seems to approve and he gives a more satisfactory account of their proceedings altogether which is cheering to me, for I must confess I had many misgivings. I shall be glad however to have William's report, for he will have more opportunity of seeing and judging than those who can only visit the Waimate.

July 27th to August 1st. Did William mention in any of his letters to you that there is a Mr. Alexander Campbell 61 living in our neighbourhood? He has a brother Frederick somewhere in the island, and when we heard of them we naturally supposed they must be the two gentlemen you mentioned in your former letters. A particular friend of Mr. A.

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Campbell, Mr. Harris, of whom William made enquiries when he first heard of him, told us however he was quite convinced it was not the individual we were enquiring for, and consequently William did not seek his acquaintance, and he, Mr. C, on his part has always carefully avoided coming in contact with him though only living about 6 miles from here, and not unfrequently coming much nearer to visit Mr. Harris. With this last named gent, we have ceased to have any intercouse as William cannot countenance his mode of living and shameless practices, and I am sorry to say there are many young men on this coast of most respectable families who are living in the same licentious manner.

In my last letter I requested you to send some music adapted for our seraphine, particularly a beginning book and some progressive lessons to succeed it. Will you add to the list 'God Save the Queen' and 'Rule Britannia'. We still have English hearts tho' we have lived eighteen years and a half in our adopted country.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY MS (AUCKLAND INSTITUTE)

WILLIAM WILLIAMS JOURNAL TO THE C.M.S.

[August 1-15. Williams engaged in revising Psalms, catechizing natives and lecturing in Hooker. Marsh Brown became worse; on August 7 Mrs. Brown arrived at Waimate.]

August 16. Heard from Paihia that the chiefs are assembling to meet the Governor and are much disappointed that he is not here at the time appointed. Heke according to report is showing a more hostile spirit and is much incensed because a new flag staff has been erected at Kororareka without waiting for his proposal to the Governor. 62

August 17. Rode to Paihia and found a large body of natives at Horotutu with whom I spent two hours before I proceeded hearing their opinion upon Heke's question & giving them mine. They generally speak well but the natives of Wangaroa & Matauri will certainly join Heke if there is a collision. Catechized 17 candidates from Otuihu & read with a large Bible Class.

August 18. Sunday. The chapel was crowded at native prayers & also at school. The English congregation as usual. A vessel arrived from Sydney with 180 Soldiers. 63

August 19. Spent much time with the natives and talked upon the old subject. In the evening it was reported that the soldiers are to be landed

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at Waitangi, according to the orders of the Governor. This has created much excitement among the friendly chiefs.

August 20. I determined to get to see Mr Beckham 64 about the landing of the soldiers and found the natives preparing a letter on the subject to request they might be landed at Kororareka. While I was waiting for their letter the Kawa Kawa natives came down in a large body but without the tribes of Kawiti or Pomare. Mr. Hutton arrived from Waimate and went with me to Kororareka. He says he does not expect to find Marsh alive on his return, but speaks warmly of the gratifying state of his mind. I found Mr. Beckham quite ready to second the proposal about the soldiers but he speaks of the positive orders of the Governor. We then went on board and found the Colonel as favorable as could be expected, and he proposed that I should write a statement of the reasons against the troops being landed at Waitangi 65 & that then he would consider the case further.

August 21. Found the natives preparing to leave being tired of waiting for the Govr. Gave them a little parting advice. Wrote to Colonel Jackson and then talked with the Kawa Kawa natives. Left for Waimate at five oclock and arrived at nine. Poor Marsh is still lingering between life & death, his mind is cheerful and his dear parents are greatly supported.

August 22. Revised the service for Private Baptism.

August 23. Dear Marsh seems to rally a little, but still there is not the most remote hope of his being better in this world. Took Mr. Brown out to walk. Revised our portion of the Psalms.

August 24. Went to Kaikohe to see Heke hoping to place his case in a better position before the arrival of the Governor. He received me very civilly & we talked for about two hours but he seemed obstinately to defend the propriety of cutting down the flag staff and as I could say nothing about the grievous intentions, I left him with a promise of returning again as soon as the Governor arrives.

August 25. Sunday. Held one native and one English service. Late in the evening the Bishop arrived having walked in from Kerikeri. The Victoria and the Hazard with the Governor anchored at about 5 in the afternoon.

August 26. Learnt from the Bishop that the governor's wishes respecting Heke are most pacific, only it is required that he shall come forward to meet the Governor. Rode in to Kaikohe to see Heke on the subject but found him altogether opposed to any reasonable proposal.

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On my return found Captn. Bennet 66 at Waimate, being come to press all the drays in the neighbourhood. I advised the young farmers to state that the Govenor could have them, but that the soldiers must fetch them, otherwise they would be exposed to acts of retaliation on the part of the natives. A deputation of the young men went down to see the Governor on the subject.

August 27. Mr. Clarke called before breakfast on his way to Kaikohe. He returned in the afternoon, but so far has not succeeded. The only prospect of a peaceable adjustment seems to be that the leading chiefs should try their influence upon this turbulent man. Rumours from the Bay report that the troops are to be landed at Kerikeri tomorrow morning, but Mr. Clarke is of opinion that the troops should not be marched this way & he is confident that the Governor will abandon any such intention.

August 28. Mr. Clarke left the Govr. early this morning and reached Waimate at noon. He reports that the ship with the troops & H.M. ship Hazard are to be ordered back to Kororareka. Mr. Clarke is directed to call a meeting of the chiefs for Saturday or Monday & the Govr. is to be at Waimate on Friday. It is proposed that the chiefs shall give ten muskets as compensation for Heke's offence & whether Heke makes his appearance or not the business will thus be quickly settled, as his friends have determined to take this step for him.

August 29. Our work of revision still continues in the midst of much excitement and preparation.

August 30. A rainy day with wind from S.E. making it somewhat doubtful whether the Govr. will leave the vessel. The Horses in the meantime went off to Kerikeri, seven oclock being the time appointed for his Excellency to arrive at that place. The Bishops large tent was put up for the reception of the natives on the lawn before the house, and preparation is made in the hope that the Govr. will be here at two oclock. The young farmers went to escort his Excellency & at one oclock Mr. Davis rode in to give notice that the Govr. is at hand and about half an hour afterwards the cavalcade made its appearance. His excellency accompanied by Colonel Hulme and Capt. Robertson of H.M.S. Hazard was received by the Bishop and conducted to the verandah of the Hall where were arranged the college students. English Boys School, Native teachers school & Native boys school, the Native Girls School being in the Hall with most of the Ladies. Three cheers were given for the Govr. & God save the Queen was sung when all the party entered the Hall in the order previously arranged and the Bishop presented an address from the clergy and other member of the mission at Waimate to which his Excellency gave an appropriate reply. 67

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After which the whole assembly struck up Rule Britannia. The party then retired & the Govr. withdrew to the Bishop's with Col. Hulme. At 1/2 past three dinner was announced when nearly 80 persons sat down to the various tables to an excellent dinner, and cheerfulness was depicted in the countenance of every one. Many chiefs arrived in the afternoon & were well provided for in the tent. A knowledge of the Govrs strong wish to settle everything in the most amicable manner gives satisfaction to all. I sat with the Govr. some time in the evening who was anxious to receive opinions respecting the best course to be pursued in this difficult case.

August 31. Weather fine. Occupied for some time with the Govr. who is most anxious to do everything for the natives benefit. On one point that of the natives wishing to possess flags of their own. His Excellency not only offers no objection but proposes to distribute flags among some of the principal chiefs. 68

WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO EDWARD MARSH Waimate 15 August 1844

I may here mention that the Bishop since his arrival at Waimate has made it a principal object to make this place altogether a scholastic establishment, and having in addition to his vast power of reducing things to a good system, the means also of extensive assistance from among the students, he has first the college in which are the candidates for holy orders under himself & Mr. Cotton, secondly the English Boys school under Mr. Cotton & Mr. Hutton, a student, thirdly a school for Native Teachers under himself & Mr. Nihil, a student, fourthly a native boys school under Mr. Wm. Davis, & fifthly the Infant school under the charge of your niece Mrs. Christopher Davies & Mrs. Colenso, the daughter of Mr. Fairburn. There is also a small printing establishment conducted by Mr. Nihil, a Hospital in charge of our nephew Christopher [Davies] & a spinning & weaving school under Mr. Hamlin & Mr. Matthews. The Bishops wish has been to have these various departments worked into a regular system, & then placing at Waimate one of the older missionaries, himself to withdraw to Auckland, with part of the machinery and establish the permanent college. These plans have been fully detailed to the Society ... at length has arrived a letter from Mr. Coates, 69 which seems in some of its particulars to be the echo of some

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production of Mr. Kempthorn 70 --a cold formal production, written under the distorting influence of the green shade. It was a large budget of letters which the Bishop had received . . . and after more than an hour had been spent in breaking many seals & glancing at the varied contents, the Bishop at length exclaimed, "I've got notice to quit". He then read Mr. Coates' remark which was that Mr. Kempthorn's arrangement in letting the Waimate to the Bishop was not approved of . . . There was indeed, by the same post a letter from Mr. Venn, expressing the fullest confidence in all the Bishops arrangements, but it came in the form of a private friendly communication, while the other was the official announcement. I begged the Bishop to wait until the Society might answer the letter to which I referred above, before he came to any conclusion, and he partly agreed to do so. But there was also an ominous allusion by Mr Coates to a lay Corresponding Committee to be formed by the Governor and in which Mr Kempthorn was to take part, which of course was to watch over the Bishops movements. In this state of things the Bishop determined to go to Auckland, and see the Governor and know the nature of his communication and the course he intended to follow. He found the Govr. indisposed to act upon Mr Coates's suggestion, but he gathered such particulars about the whole matter as led him to take immediate steps for breaking up the college at this place and transferring it to Auckland, where he can proceed without those annoyances which such a man as Mr. Coates can give. Still he will arrange that the infant school & elder girls school, together with the spinning & weaving establishment shall be carried on here.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY MS (AUCKLAND INSTITUTE)

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September 1. Sunday. Mr. Maunsell and I took the natives services & the Bishop & Archdeacon Brown preached in English and we all assisted the Bishop in the administration of the Lords Supper. The Govr. was present at three of the services. The Bishops sermon was a clear exposition of the doctrine of justification by faith.

September 2. Mr. Hobbs and Mr. Warren 71 are over from Hokianga and are frequently guests at the Bishop's table. At 12 oclock the meeting commenced with a long address from his Excellency which was interpreted by Mr. Puckey. When the Govr. came to the subject of compensation the guns were brought forward and laid before the Govr. at which he expressed real satisfaction and then returned them again to the natives. The speeches of the chiefs were very satisfactory 72 and though Heke himself was not present the weight of feeling which has been shown will have a peaceful effect upon the minds of any who are disposed to be turbulent. The false feeling which has been excited by the machination of designing Europeans & Americans will be removed & confidence once more established. Dinner today in the Hall was still more numerously attended the room being completely filled. After grace was said the Bishop thanked the Govr. for the honor he had done the Waimate in paying his visit, & proposed God save the Queen in which all heartily joined. In the course of the evening the Govr. requested Archdeacon Brown Mr Maunsell and myself to attend upon him respecting the letter from the secretaries of our society in which they express a wish that his Excellency will act as the head of a corresponding committee which he is to nominate. After much discussion upon the subject an arrangement was proposed which is likely to prove satisfactory to the Bishop & to the Parent Committee and to the Missionaries.

September 3. The infant school was visited by the Govr. yesterday when he expressed much satisfaction with it. This morning after a private interview with the chiefs His Excellency took his departure by way of Kerikeri accompanied by an escort of the young farmers & students. The syndicate then proceeded to work.

September 4, 5. Marsh apparently better & recovering his appetite and gaining strength.

September 6. The Kaikohe natives came this afternoon to a feast at Pateretere. It is said that Heke is come to request the Bishop not to go away.

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September 7. I remained till past noon in order to see Heke who came with a party of about 200 at eleven oclock. I was much disappointed at his manner. He still shows a litigious spirit and I am fearful he may yet give some trouble. Having to meet the natives at Paihia I left before the end of the meeting. Held evening prayer with the natives and then addressed the candidates for the Lords Supper.

September 8. Sunday. Large native congregation and 75 communicants. English service and native service in the afternoon with school.

September 9. Attended school. Mr. H. Kemp 73 and Mr. Beckham called to enquire about the movements of the natives, the report having been circulated at Kororareka that Heke is going there again to cut down the flag staff. Went to Waimate. Talked with Heke for two hours. He is quiet and wishes me to remain at Waimate. Mr. Hamlin examined by the Bishop previous to the ordination.

September 10. Revising. Mr. Chapman examined.

September 11. Revised to 88th Psalm. Mr Clarke returned from Hokianga. The Bishop went to Kerikeri.

September 12. Revised to 90th Psalm.

September 13. Revision of Psalms. Mr. Hamlin examined by the Bishop, when I was requested to be present. Nothing can exceed the kindness of the Bishop & it was an extreme gratification to me to hear his lordship express his satisfaction with Mr. Hamlin & accordingly to hear that his appointment to Wairoa is fixed.

September 14. Revision of Psalms. The Judge and Mrs. Martin are at Kerikeri and natives were sent to bring in Mrs. Martin but she was too unwell to come onwards.

September 15. Sunday. Preached in Native and English.

September 16. Mr. & Mrs. Martin came in from Kerikeri. The Judge was received with due honours by the Bishop with all the members of the college waving peeled wands in their hands, a harmless imitation of the javelin men. 74

September 17. Revising. Mr. Colenso went up for his final examination at which I was present. The Bishop expressed his satisfaction generally, but Mr. C. was near being in difficulty through some foolish objection he raised to a paper which the Bishop required to be signed. 75

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September 18. 19. Mr. C. P. Davies examined & passed. Revising.

September 22. Sunday. The service commenced at 8 oclock in English being the usual morning prayers without the litany, then at 9 the bell rang again and the church was filled with natives. The clergy present were the Bishop, Messrs. H. Williams, Archdn. Brown, Cotton, Dudley, Maunsell, Davis & myself. My Brother and Mr. Brown sat at the end of the benches near the communion table, & the 5 candidates 76 on a seat at the south side of the communion rail. The whole body proceeded from the vestry the Bishop being preceded by Mr. Nihil bearing the Crozier. By the Bishops appointment I preached the sermon in native which was the next part of the service now proceeded with, and at the conclusion of this my brother and Mr. Brown were inducted into the Archdeaconaries respectively of Waimate and Tauranga and took their seats at the right hand of the Bishop. The ordination service now proceeded, when the candidates were presented by the Archdeacons of the districts in which they are hereafter to labour. The candidates being ordained took their station with the rest of the clergy within the communion rail and Mr. Hamlin read the Gospel. The service concluded with the administration of the Lords Supper in which the Bishop was assisted by his three Archeacons. At the native service in the afternoon prayers were read by Mr. Colenso and my brother preached, and at the English service which followed Mr. Hamlin read prayers and the Bishop preached. This was properly the ordination sermon which was a most splendid and touching discourse, full of gospel truth, and setting forth particularly the duties of ministry. At the conclusion the Bishop made a most touching allusion to his late chaplain Mr. Whytehead which was affecting to every one present.

September 23. 77 24. 25. 26. Continued the work of revision. Mr. &

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Mrs. Chapman, Mr. Hamlin & Mr. Colenso left Waimate for Kerikeri on their way to Tepuna & Paihia. Mr. Burrows returned from Pakaraka being hindered yesterday by the flood. The clergy assembled with the Bishop at 11 in the church when various matters were brought under consideration by the Bishop relative to the internal regulation of our work particularly the subjects of Baptism, the Lords Supper, Marriage, Native teachers and schools.

September 27. The Synod 78 sat till evening when the business was conducted.

September 28. This morning an address 79 was presented by the clergy to the Bishop expressive of our feeling on the subject of his Lordship's removal to Auckland, and referring also to other points of interest. The Bishops reply was a simple and earnest declaration of his Lordship's views on points of leading importance & the whole circumstance will tend to cement the bond of union more & more closely and the Bishop at the same time expresses his most entire confidence and satisfaction with the whole of his clergy and this was expressed not as from a Bishop to the clergy placed far beneath him, but with the warm affection of a father to his children. The feelings of everyone present were much wrought upon by the pathos of his manner & particularly by the affectionate delivery of his blessing with which he dismissed us. During the rest of the day we were occupied in a Committee of the three districts arranging the expenditure of the mission. The Bishop went to Kororareka accompanying the Judge.

September 29. Sunday. My Brother and I preached in Native & English in the morning and Mr. Cotton and I in the afternoon.

September 30. Resumed our Committee proceedings which occupied us till evening.

[October 1-4. Revising.]

October 5. Revised till noon. The Bishop continually engaged in packing. Carts and drays moving every other day. Went down to Paihia & crossed over to Kororareka to enquire about the Dolphin which is in from Auckland. She is a small vessel of 19 tons and has already 4

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passengers to take back, but the Master agrees to take my party in addition for £30, going on to Turanga from Auckland. My brother is from home at the Kawakawa having in hand a troublesome business of the natives of Wareumu's party who have taken 8 horses belonging to Captain Wright as a payment for an offence of a party at Kororareka.

October 6. Sunday. Held native and English service at Paihia & native service at Otuihu.

October 7. Mr. Burrows and Mr. Hanley came over in the morning and I was occupied with Mr. Burrows with accounts. I learn that the Dolphin cannot take us having 11 passengers & the captain proposes to return immediately & take me direct. My Brother returned in the afternoon just as I was starting for Waimate so that I remained. He gives a bad account of the offending party, they are very saucily inclined and though at length they consented to give up the horses it appears that two of them are not forthcoming but have been taken away to Taiamai.

October 8. Went to Waimate before breakfast and found the parties just assembling for the examination of the English school. As soon as I had taken refreshment I joined them. The boys were first examined on their general knowledge of scripture truth by the Bishop and then the different classes in classics and geography by Mr. Martin. In the evening the boys supped at the Bishops. Mr. Kemp arrived at noon and I had some conversation with him previous to his interview with the Bishop about his proposed removal to Waimate, to take charge of the infant school. 80 In the evening the Bishop told me the result of their interview which seems to be favorable.

October 9. Accompanied the Bishop and Archdeacon Brown over the middle building 81 to hear his Lordship's ideas about the appropriation of the house as an infant school. He proposes that the children shall sleep in the rooms upstairs, that they dine in our old school room & that the large hall and the skilhngs attached be the school room and workrooms. Mr. Brown then communicated their ideas to Mr. Kemp & from a conversation I had with him afterwards there does not appear to be any difficulty in the way. The Bishop then directed Mr. Christopher Davies to move into the middle building wishing to have the school put into full working position before Mr. Kemp comes to it, when Mr. C. Davies is again to retire to his old quarters until Mr. Brown returns

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to Tauranga. Several of the school boys went down to Kerikeri on their return home.

October 10. Revision of Psalms.

October 11. Revision. Mr. Cotton and Mr. Hutton set out for Wangaroa & Kaitaia. In the afternoon translated with Mr. Maunsell the rules for native teachers which are to be published in the almanac. 82

October 12. Went to Pakaraka with the Bishop, Mrs. Selwyn, Mr. Martin, Mr. Dudley & Mr. & Mrs. Maunsell. The Bishop selected a site for the church 83 & then went over the farm with which he seemed much pleased. The party then returned to the house of Mr. Edward Williams 84 to dinner, and from thence I proceeded to Paihia. Found my brother away at Waikare.

October 13. Sunday. Held service in native twice & in English once. Heard that the Schooner Coquette had arrived from Sydney in the night. My brother came from Waikare in the evening. The natives there have been much neglected of late and require close attention.

October 14. Went over to Kororareka and engaged with the Captain of the Coquette to take our party to Auckland including Mr. & Mrs. Maunsell, and then on to Turanga for £45. Then went over to Tepuna to see Mr. and Mrs. King & returned in the evening.

October 15. Writing copy of grammar for Mr. Telford. 85 H.M.S. Hazard arrived from Auckland and Mr. Clarke soon made his appearance at Paihia. Kawiti with other chiefs from the Kawakawa came down about the horses and say they shall be returned immediately. Talked with Mr. Clarke about the state of the natives.

October 16. The natives brought 6 of the horses to Opua, and the other two are sent for but they are very saucily inclined. 86 Went to Kororareka and to the vessel to make arrangements.

October 18. Went to Kororareka and transacted business. The Captn. talks of sailing tomorrow.

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October 20. Sunday. My brother being away at Tepuna I held native & English services and went to the Pa in the afternoon. Congregation small.

October 21. Left Paihia at 1/2 past 7. Got under weigh a little after 12 and at two a good breeze from the N.W. sprang up which took us as far as Wangaruru by sunset. Some of the party was a little sea sick before we were out of the bay but after that we were in smooth water. Pleasant breeze all night.

October 22. About 10 miles south of the Hen and Chickens at daylight, Point Rodney at 11, and entered the heads of Auckland at 3. Soon after we had anchored Captn. Ruff 87 came on board and said that the Govr. is to sail at 5 in the Hazard and wishes to see me before he goes. Went on shore and reported to the Governor the state of matters at the Bay. I then proceeded to Mr. Clarkes.

October 23. Examination of the Auckland infant school 80 children. Went with Mrs. Ludbrooke, none but ladies were present, saw Mrs. Fitzroy, Mrs. Ruff, Mrs. Smith, & Mrs. Matthew, Mrs. Kempthorne who seems to take the most active part. Mr. K. afterwards made his appearance. Talked to him about the College at Tamaki. Walked afterwards to Epsom.

October 24. Went to Tamaki with Mr. Clarke to see the site for the college. We were joined by Mr. Kempthorne whose farm lies close by. The country in that direction promises to be pretty being studded in every direction with farms, in which the bright green patches of wheat have a very pleasing effect. On our return I went in to see Mrs. Kempthorne and took dinner with her.

October 27. Sunday. Preached in the morning and afternoon for Mr. Churton.

October 29. Went on board with my party immediately after breakfast and got under weigh at 10 oclock. We had a fair wind and passed Cape Colville about 3 oclock.

October 30. Sighted Wakaaua at noon and soon after we saw Cape Runaway. The breeze freshened in the evening and we passed the Cape about 10 oclock, so that there was no chance of landing anything for Mr. Kissling.

October 31. The breeze as is generally the case in doubling the Cape, died away and this morning instead of finding ourselves off Uwawa we were still at Waiapu. At two oclock we ran the vessel near to Wareponga & landed the natives who had come with us from the Bay. It was a satisfaction to hear from the people on shore that there are no ill tidings. A breeze shortly sprang up & took us to Uwawa a little before dusk. Mr. William Baker came off in his fathers boat and

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told us that his father was gone to Tokomaru & that his youngest brother was lying seriously ill. I went on shore with the Boys & met Mr. Baker on the beach who seeing our vessel had turned back. Found the child with a very unpleasant wheezing in the throat, which Mrs Baker had taken for croop. Staid and talked with Mr. Baker for an hour & then returned to the vessel.

November 1. Mr. Baker came on board at daylight to remove his things from the vessel when we immediately got under weigh. At eight oclock the wind from W. increased almost to a hurricane so that we could carry little sail for about two hours, when it moderated. We made the south head of Poverty Bay at about three oclock but it took us till sunset to reach the anchorage. No canoe came off and we were apprehensive of having to stay on board all night but at length Simpson came off and set us at liberty. Made arrangements at Werowero to have the things fetched in the morning and then proceeded in a canoe to Karaua taking with us the letters and a hive of bees. We reached Wakato a little before twelve and soon had all the family up to greet us, old & young. Thank God all are well and happy.

[November 2-12. Station duties--natives in a 'state of lethargy'.]

November 13. Bible class from Ngatikaipoho 19, and no candidates. Went in the afternoon to see native party at Paokahu who have been in disgrace for nearly nine months. The people were glad to see me but they think I have taken more serious notice of their offence than was requisite, but of this I do not allow them to be competent judges. During this period they have kept up Karakia at their own pa, but they have had no intercourse with me.

November 14. Had a visit from the chief of Paokahu, who seems glad to be able to come back to our house. Went afterwards to Toanga. Good congregation at the evening lecture.

November 15. Went to Taikawakawa to enquire into the conduct of the teacher against whom many accusations have been brought. It was late when I got to the village so that I did nothing this evening.

November 16. Took morning prayers in the chapel and addressed the natives on the importance of walking according to their profession. Read with Bible Class of 18, being but a small proportion of those who ought to be here, and then catechized 15 candidates for baptism. After breakfast I held an inquiry into the conduct of the native teacher, who denies the charge brought against him, but there are many circumstances against him. Returned home.

November 17. Sunday. Two natives came from Taikawakawa to tell me that the teacher as soon as I was gone openly declared his intention to leave his wife & to live with a woman respecting whom the charge was made & they requested that the teacher Edward Wana might be allowed to take charge of them. Held two native and one

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English service & attended native school. Went after service to Takopa to see sick natives.

November 18. Read with a Bible Class of 24 from Ngatimaru. None of the Paokahu natives attended, and many were away trading with a vessel which came into the river two days ago.

November 19. Bible Class from Ngaitawiri 26, and candidates 8. Spoke closely to the leading persons present upon the necessity of their looking out each one for his own relatives who are in a relaxed state.

November 20. Purchased totara timber for blocks for the new building to rest upon.

November 21. Left home with my son Leonard for Waiapu. Staid for a time at Turanganui having appointed to meet the natives. But few however came together with whom I spoke upon their present relaxed condition. Reached Wangara after sunset and had prayers with the natives.

November 22. Addressed the natives at morning prayers and read with a Bible Class of 20 & catechized 16 candidates. Took a census of the whole of the natives and found them 68 male and female adults & 23 little children total 91. Arrived at Uwawa at 5 oclock.

November 23. Talked with Mr. Baker about events at the north. Then addressed the communicants.

November 24. Held native service at one oclock and administered the Lords Supper to 111 communicants. At English service at 2 oclock, baptized Mr. Baker's infant by the name of Charlotte Elizabeth. Sponsors Mrs. Brown, Jane and myself. At native service in the afternoon baptized 8 children.

November 25. Made early preparation for our journey when Mr. Baker and myself with our two sons set out with our two horses by the inner road to Anaura, and thence by a good road recently made which brought us to Tokomaru by sunset. I then addressed the natives in the chapel. We found comfortable shelter in a small house Mr. Baker has had erected for his accommodation.

November 26. The chapel at Tuatini is well built and is furnished with a communion rail of very homely construction but which answers the purpose well. At ten oclock I assembled the communicants and spoke to them on the solemn ordinance of which they were about to partake. Those are excluded who have been negligent in their attention to the ordinary means of grace. At 12 oclock I held the service and administered the ordinance to 80 persons. We then assembled the classes for reading the scriptures and for repeating the catechism. Those who were able to read were 65, and in the catechism classes consisting principally of elderly people there were 67 many of whom repeated it fluently. Addressed the natives again in the evening.

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November 27. Left Tuatini and reaching Akuaku early, we proposed to the natives of that place to go on to Wareponga and assemble in their classes. We had there a large assemblage and after prayers Mr. Baker & I each took a large Bible Class & then a class of candidates, but it was evident that many of the latter were not in the habit of attending and were now perhaps brought together from motives of curiosity.

November 28. Reached Mr. Stack's at 5 oclock. Mr. S. is much more favorably situated than when I was here last. 88 He is in a comfortable dwelling, close to the large pa of Rangitukia.

November 29. Determining to visit Hick's Bay before our Committee, we set out this morning by the inland road, and did not get to Mr. Kisslings till past 8 oclock and met with a hearty reception from our friends.

November 30. Talked with Mr. Kissling about several affairs and accompanied him round the Pa.

December 1. Sunday. Conducted the morning native service at Kawakawa congregation 300. Mr. Kissling held the English service at which 5 Europeans were present & Mr. Kissling & I then went to Hekawa where I held afternoon service. Congregation about 120. In the evening I talked with John Timo about the conduct of his wife who has been very troublesome about teaching in the school.

December 2. The weather very unsettled, but towards 10 oclock it-looked better, and we set out on our return. It was fine till we got to Horoera and then rained all the rest of the way. We got to Mr. Stacks an hour after dark in miserable plight, but I am thankful none of us received any injury.

December 3. Occupied all day at Committee. Rain continued at intervals & wind very cold. Snow on the top of Hikurangi.

December 4. Committee. Walked in the afternoon to Mr. Stacks old house.

December 5. Commitee. Finished our business late in the evening.

December 6. Left Mr. Stacks at 9 oclock after having talked with Mr. Stack's native teachers about repairing the chapel and making

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a road to it. Reached Akuaku at dusk and after taking refreshment Mr. Baker had prayers with them, after which we had the whole body to korero, Mr. Baker taking the Bible Class, while I had the body of candidates. The number altogether was upwards of 150.

December 7. Held morning prayers, and addressed the natives, we then went on to Tokomaru and Tuatini. 89

December 8. Held two native services. In the morning there were about 200 present and in the afternoon half that number. At school they were catechized and in the afternoon Mr. Baker went to Ariuru where a good proportion of the congregation had returned.

December 9. Left at 5 oclock and breakfasted at Tangioro where I buried a child of christian parents. We found much water in the Uwawa swamp and got to Mr. Bakers a little before dark.

December 10. The weather very threatening last night but this morning it was again clear. Crossed the river at six oclock and fairly started a little before seven. Having the loan of Mr. Bakers horse, Leonard and I went on comfortably before the natives and got to Turanganui at seven. After passing the Awapuni we missed our way, and wandered about the plain for an hour until providentially we found ourselves at Te Hanea from whence we got a guide to take us homewards. We reached the house a little after ten.

December 17. Natives from Patutahi and Toanga, a large assemblage though very many were absent. Spoke to them closely upon their present listless state. In the Bible Class there were 75 present. Unpacked a case of Testaments for the purpose of dividing a proportion for Wairoa and Ahuriri. It was one of the cases which came by the Mandarin 90 most of which were damaged and to my great grief I found 400 out of 500 seriously damaged & 230 were so far destroyed in the texture as to be utterly useless.

December 18. Bible Class from Ngatikaipoho. 5 candidates for baptism. Unpacked the remaining case of Testaments which happily was free from injury. Packed the proportion for Wairoa and Ahuriri.

December 19. Finished packing for Wairoa. Evening lecture a good attendance.

December 20. Bible class from Ngaitahupo and candidates for baptism. Had a visit from Captn. Clayton who staid to dinner. Went to Tapatahi to see the tribe Ngatikanaipaea who have withdrawn for some time from Karakia. They promise to return again.

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December 21. Had a long conversation with the chiefs about some of the late disorders among the natives.

December 22. Sunday. Held two native services and school & one English service. Baptized 12 native children in the afternoon.

December 23. Bible class from Ngatimaru 79, & 36 candidates. The natives afterwards had a great meeting about land purchased by Captn. Clayton five years ago, 91 but of which they are disposed to give up only a small portion. The same party afterwards came to me & kept me till evening listening to their matters. Was much grieved to hear a charge of theft brought home to one of my natives in whom I have hitherto placed much confidence, and finding it confirmed was obliged to dismiss him from my service.

December 24. Bible class from Ngaitawiri 26 and one candidate for baptism. At noon my nephew Samuel arrived bringing news that Messrs. Hamlin & Colenso with their families are come in the Nimrod. Went to Karaua and met Mr. & Mrs. Hamlin coming up in a canoe with their children. Mr. Colenso remains on board being anxious to proceed.

December 25. Having Mr. Hamlin to assist me I left him to attend to the two morning services and walked inland to Patutahi where a congregation of about 70 was ready for service.

December 26. Sent off the goods lying here for Wairoa and Ahuriri, and proceeded after an early breakfast to Werowero with Mrs. Colenso. & Mr. Hamlin, the latter intending to proceed in the vessel as far as Wairoa & to come back for Mrs. Hamlin. While the boat went on board I waited and talked with Lazarus's party.

December 29. Sunday. Being not quite well, my nephew Samuel took the morning service for me but I had English and afternoon services.

December 30. The Schooner Emma from Coromandel Harbour came in yesterday with a part of the timber for my house. This morning read with Bible class from Ngaitawera 63 in number. The candidates were 18.

December 31. A party from Taruheru went and plundered Te Koaro this morning for shooting at a horse. They took also several things from Alec a sawyer, who applied to me to interfere for their recovery. I went over to Tapatahi & succeeded with all but an axe. Proceeded thence with my nephew to Taureka by way of Patutahi and arrived only just in time to marry a couple. My nephew heard the bible class 80 in number & I catechized 13 candidates. A heavy rain coming on we had to ride home as quickly as possible. The close of another Year brings with it some important reflections. In addition to the uninterrupted

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succession of common mercies the especial one of the preservation of my family during a long separation. Our dwelling in which we had promised ourselves much comfort destroyed by fire in a few minutes, but we were soon housed again in that which has answered well our purpose. The work of revision for which I was absent at the Bay has been much prospered, and a large portion of work completed. The natives in the mean time have suffered for want of more attention, but they are gradually recovering.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS TO THE C.M.S. Auckland 28 October 1844

In your letter your refer to perplexities and uneasiness of some of our missionaries respecting the relation between the Society and the Bishop. Although names are not mentioned, I can readily surmise who the parties are who have been the subject of this uneasiness, and I know they have been uneasy because changes have been required, which were contrary to that desire for quiet repose, which is natural to everyone .... The regulation of the stations of missionaries has not been upon a satisfactory footing ever since the mission has been extended so as to require a division into districts. The interests of one district will often be at variance with those of another, and the proposal made by the Parent Committee of having alternate meetings of Committee in the different districts, was found to be attended with so much difficulty, that it was not acted upon more than once or twice. A controlling power was needed which could decide these matters, & this power we now have in the Bishop. The Parent Committee however is very properly fearful of surrendering a power out of their hands, which could not easily be resumed at a future time. The proposal lately made, to have a Corresponding Committee of laymen residing at Auckland, would not have been found to meet the difficulty, because independently of the fact that there are not persons to be found in Auckland to form the said Committee ... the interests of the various stations would not be fairly represented. . ..

I am happy to inform you that consequent upon the removal of the Bishop to Auckland, his lordship has appointed my brother his Archdeacon of Waimate ....

The natives of Poverty Bay are now cultivating wheat and have been exceedingly urgent with me to write for some steel mills for them. If you think it proper to send out six with a few flour sieves also I will take them to my own account as the natives will give the value of them in wheat.

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JANE WILLIAMS TO CATHERINE HEATHCOTE

Turanga 22 November 1844

When I despatched my last letter Henry was here, but his visit was of short duration, and he could in consequence do little for our poor neglected natives; tho' while he stayed he was indefatigable, instant in season & out of season. He left us on the 26th of August, and was favoured in having a comparatively short journey home ....

I have no . . . animating accounts to give you, indeed our locality presents rather a painful reverse to the picture [of Waimate] and I see but little prospect of an improvement in the state of things, unless William could remain at home and look after the flock, hunting up the stray sheep, checking those who are inclined to wander, and feeding them continually with the bread of life. A meal only now and then will keep alive neither body nor soul. He arrived at home on the first of this month but has only paid us a visit of three weeks and is now gone to the East Cape, and has other long journeys in prospect, so I am afraid I shall have but little of his society at home. These continual separations form my greatest trial, but I try to remember that I am a soldier's wife and that when he is away he is on his Master's service. Still I cannot but feel it.

William has returned with a more favourable opinion than ever of our good Bishop and of Mrs. Selwyn also. Mr. Cotton too greatly improves upon acquaintance and has many very good points in his character, tho' he is not what we would like to see as a clergyman and. as chief master of the collegiate school. His kindness and attention to poor Marsh Brown during his long and trying illness seem to have had no bounds. The second master is a Mr. Hutton of whom both Henry and William speak in favourable terms.

THE WILLIAMS FAMILY MS (AUCKLAND INSTITUTE)