1842 - Terry, Charles. New Zealand: its Advantages and Prospects as a British Colony - Part IV. Aborigines of New Zealand - Chapter I

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PART IV.

ABORIGINES OF NEW ZEALAND.

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ABORIGINES OF NEW ZEALAND.

CHAPTER I.

The Aborigines, as regards their Origin, Population, Language, and Character, have been described by various authors, as well as have been the subject of inquiry before Committees of both Houses of Parliament. It is not intended, in these pages, to enter into minute details on these several subjects, but to offer some general observations, more particularly with reference to the present time.

Among the various tribes, throughout the North Island, may be still seen distinct traces of different Asiatic origin, with occasional similitude of complexion and expression, among the higher class of females, to the South American Spaniard. The present generation are certainly a mixed race, well proportioned and athletic, more especially in the interior. On the eastern coast of the Northern Island, about Poverty and Hawkes Bay, the natives are different to other tribes, being shorter in stature, and darker in complexion.

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POPULATION.

There is abundant evidence to prove, that New Zealand, at some former and not far distant period, was inhabited by a dense population, to which the present numbers bear no comparison, and that the various vast tribes have been greatly diminished, and in some instances utterly annihilated.

Of the precise amount of the present population of the three Islands, there are various opinions. Until the British Government divide the country into districts, and have a census taken, by intelligent persons, their numbers will never be accurately ascertained; for some of each tribe are continually moving about, either in shifting their stations for cultivation, or in visiting other tribes.

Captain Cook calculated the population of the Islands of New Zealand to be about 400,000.

The Rev. W. Williams, by Mr. Coates' evidence, before the Committee of the House of Lords, states the population of the Islands, in 1835, to be, not exceeding, 200,000 natives. The population, on the North Island, he divides as follows:

Kaitaia and the Northern part	4,000
Hokianga	6,000
Bay of Islands	12,000
Waikato	18,000
Thames	4,800
Bay of Plenty	15,600
East Coast from Hicks' to Hawkes' Bay .	27,000
Kapiti and Northern shore of Cook's Straits	18,000
	105,400

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POPULATION.

But this statement is very much underrated, and seems to have been formed, more with reference to the number of natives, of those tribes who were only in direct communication with the Church Missionary Society, than from any true statistical account of the actual population.

For instance:---In the valley of Kaitaia, on the banks of the Awaroa River, there is one tribe alone, ---the Rarewa, which numbers above 8,000 natives. The population, under the head of Waikato, if intended to include the whole Western coast, from Manakao, is not sufficient. The Waikato tribe is, of itself, at the present day, the most numerous and formidable in New Zealand. There are also the tribes at Kawia, and on the Waipa River, in which district, extending to the Taupo and Roto Rua Lakes, and around Mount Tongariro, there is an immense population.

The population of the North Island, New Ulster, may be estimated, at nearly 150,000 natives.

Of the Middle Island, New Munster, --- very little is known, as to its population; but it is probable, that in the interior, when explored, will be found settlements of natives, who have been driven from the Northern Island by intestine feuds. The Missionaries have never visited the Middle Island; but it is very clear, that the natives of the Northern Island, formerly, must have had frequent intercourse with the Eastern coast of it, to obtain the Green Talc at the Lake "Wai Poenamoo," of which their deadly war instrument, the Meri, was made.

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CAUSES OF DECREASE OF POPULATION.

Henceforth, there is every just reason to anticipate, that the present population, whatever its numbers, will increase in its natural ratio; and the grounds of such supposition are, the removal and extinction, by British colonization, of the causes which have, conjointly, tended to its unnatural decrease.

These causes have arisen from two sources,--- some, from the barbarous customs and gross superstitions of the natives,---others, from their food and habits, and consequent diseases.

The former were numerous:---internal wars, in which not only many were killed in action, but prisoners subsequently slaughtered, to satisfy some deadly revenge:---the constant custom of killing slaves, on the slightest provocation and misbehaviour, or from the superstitious idea of avenging, by sacrifice, the death of some near relation or connection of the tribe:---the frequent practice of the crime of infanticide by women:---the abandonment of even dearest relatives, attacked by disease, under the impression of fatalism, that all human aid, in such cases, is useless---without any attempt by care, or even food, to prolong or save life:---and the fatal effects, which have been universally dreaded with horror by the natives, produced by the supposed spell of Witchcraft, or "Makutu."

The other sources were the two diseases, most prevalent and destructive, among the natives--- scrofula and consumption:---which have been originally induced by their low diet at different seasons,

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LANGUAGE.

especially from their practice of gathering the potatoe crops quite in a green state;---and their constant exposure to the heavy dews and rains, in the bush, with only their native dress.

All these circumstances have, more or less, been the powerful causes of decrease in the population; but now, it is to be hoped, that they will be wholly counteracted and prevented. Internal warfare among the natives will not be allowed, neither will the life of the poor slave be at the mercy and command of his chief. British laws and customs will insure order and justice, while Christian Religion and Philanthropy will dispel the superstitious errors of the unenlightened savage, and mitigate, if not arrest, the pains and ravages of disease.

Of the New Zealand tongue, it is not intended to endeavour to trace its origin, or to attempt any analysis of its elements, as a language. Indeed, it may be asserted, that the true and correct philology of the language is not yet known, and that what translations from the English have been published in the New Zealand language, have no philological basis, and are not according to any acknowledged rules of grammar, syntax, or prosody.

In the early days of the Missionaries in New Zealand, it is very certain, that they were compelled to be occupied, for a long period, in locating and erecting their dwellings, and cultivating the ground for their daily subsistence. These necessary pursuits occupied the week, and it was only the Sabbath

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LANGUAGE.

that could be devoted to religious and scholastic duties, either for themselves or for the Natives.

Moreover, it is well known, that the persons, acting as Missionaries and Catechists, (which latter is synonymous to the former, but only an appellation to distinguish one that is not ordained,) at those periods, were not persons of such education or previous habits, as could qualify them, either to teach, or to learn any language, with correctness or facility. They were all laymen, who had been bred to some handicraft trade, and, on entering the mission, had received some little instruction, at the Central School in Baldwin's Gardens, in England, or at the Government Schools, in New South Wales, in the duties of teachers.

These facts are not stated, with any view of disparagement to those, who were the early members of the Mission, many of whom are now the leading characters of it, and possessors of very large property, as well as of much influence in the Colony; but they are mentioned, to account, (after an intercourse of them, with the Natives, of twenty-six years,) for the little, imperfect, incorrect and unsatisfactory knowledge, at present existing, of the New Zealand language.

The Missionaries, on their first arrival in the islands, were obliged to learn the Native language, and that by rote, from an ignorant, untutored savage, whose knowledge of his own language was confined to speech; for the New Zealanders had, then, no characters, as the Hindoo, Persian, or

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LANGUAGE.

Chinese, by which they had been accustomed to convey their ideas, or to record their history and traditions.

The sound, alone, was the guide to the Missionary, for the orthography of words, without any knowledge of the etymology of the language; and hence, the present written language of New Zealand, has, for its sole origin and authors, the Missionaries.

For animals, objects, substances, &c, utterly unknown to the Aborigines, before their intercourse with Europeans, they had, of course, no corresponding words in their language; therefore, the Missionaries have added greatly to the vocabulary, by creating Maori words, approximating, frequently, in sound, to the English they are intended to express; but taking care, in the letters and termination, they should assimilate, to---what they conceive to be---the orthographical construction of the Native tongue.

On careful perusal and collation, with the English original, of the various translations of the Scriptures, Gospels, &c, which have issued from the Missionary press, these addenda to the Native language will be easily recognized.

These translations, although containing by such method numerous words, apparently of the Native language, are sounds and synonymes quite new and unintelligible to the Native, but he regards and reverences them as mysteries, and receives them as a matter of faith.

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LANGUAGE.

In daily intercourse with the Natives, the stranger will be surprised with the similarity to his own language, of such words as Hipi, sheep; Huka, sugar; Kuti kuti, scissors; Koma, comb, &c.; all of which are modern creations.

For all ordinary purposes of intercourse with the Natives, sufficient of the language is very soon acquired; but that is merely colloquial, and learnt more by the ear, than with any regard to, or knowledge of, the orthography, much more of any grammatical construction of the language. The best method for a stranger to the country to learn the language, is, to mix frequently with the Natives, many of whom are very intelligent, can read and write their own language, and are always pleased with the wish and endeavour of an European to learn, and equally willing to instruct him. They are very fond of writing, and the stranger should let them write down the words he wishes, and by repeating this with other Natives, and comparing it, he will obtain the true word, and, by attention to their pronunciation, will acquire the correct accent of the dialect,

Some years since, 1820, there was a Grammar and Vocabulary compiled and edited by Professor Lee of Cambridge, and published by the Church Missionary Society, from the information of two New Zealanders, who were brought to England by Mr. Kendall; but, since that period, more extended intercourse with the Natives, has proved it to be incorrect, more especially as regards the alphabet.

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LANGUAGE.

An experienced philologist, particularly if well versed in the elements of the Asiatic and Polynesian languages, might, now that the more intelligent Natives are, in some degree, capable of explaining their primitive tongue, very soon ascertain the true elements and governing principles of the language, so as to found a correct and perfect grammar, &c.

As the Native population increases, this will be a measure indispensable, on the part of the Protectors of Aborigines, if the Natives are to be properly and universally educated, throughout the islands.

An example of the New Zealand language, with its English translation, is given in the following address of Mr. George Clarke, Missionary and Chief Protector of the Aborigines, under the British Government, to the Natives assembled to witness the ceremony of laying the foundation stone of the Metropolitan Church of St. Paul's, at Auckland, by His Excellency Governor Hobson, on the 28th July, 1841.

E AKU HOA MAORI, Tenei pea etahi o koutou te miharo nei ki te wakaminenga o te Kawana ma Apiha, te minita me era atu Rangatira ano o Akahana, na konei i mea mai ratou ki ahau kia korerotia e

MY NATIVE FRIENDS, Some of you arc doubtless surprised at this great and respectable assembly. His Excellency the Governor, his officers, the clergyman, and the ladies and gentlemen of Auckland, have requested me

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184 ADDRESS OF THE PROTECTOR TO THE

ahau ki a koutou nga mea i huihui ai ratou. I nga huihuinga o nga Wakapaparanga o mua o o koutou: tupima ki to ratou wakaro he wawai he patu he aha noa. Ki tenei wahi pu ano he tini a koutou wawainga i mua. Ko ta koutou pai tenei i mua he huihui ki te wawai, ki te patu, ki te tahae, a, mehemea e taea e tenei wenua te korero te wakapuaki i nga tini i mahia ki konei ka wiri pea nga Pakeha nei i te mataku a ka wakama hoki koutou. Otiia, e Hoa ma e Wakapai atu ana tatou ki te Atua no te mea kua wakamahuetia enei mahi kino kua tahuri etahi o tatou ki te Atua. Ka huihui tatou nga Rangatira Maori, me nga Rangatira Pakeha o Akahana, ka wakaae

to explain to you the purpose for which they have met together. In former days, when your forefathers met, their only object was that of fighting and destroying each other; perhaps on this very spot, many have been your engagements. Your only pleasure then was in fighting and killing one another, and were it possible for this ground to speak, and disclose many bad things that took place here, these ladies and gentle men would perhaps tremble, and you yourselves would be ashamed. But, my friends, we thank God, some of you have been enabled to forsake these evil practices, and to worship God. We, the New Zealand, and English gentlemen of Auckland, have united together to build a church

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ABORIGINES IN THE NATIVE LANGUAGE.

kia hanga tetahi ware Karakia hei konei hoki huihui ai a muri nei ki te Karakia ki te Atua nei. Na konei hoki i hoatu ai ratou ia ratou moni hei utu mo te hanganga i tenei Ware a he tini nga moni kua kohia e ratou. Ko te ingoa o tenei Hahi ko to "Paora" aka waiho tenei hei ware Karakia ki to tatou Atua. Ka wakatakotoria tenei Kowatu kei timatanga koia hoki matou i karanga ai a koutou kia huihui mai kia kite i tenei ritenga, e hara hoki tenei i te ritenga hou. Na te Atua (i hanga nei tatou) i mea atu ki te Iwi o Iharaira kia hanga e ratou tetahi ware i a ratou e kopiko haere ana i te koraha, e hara taua ware i te ware tu tonu, ko tona ahua me te teneti. Ka tae ratou ki to ra-

in which to worship the true God. For this purpose they have given money for the erection of this church, and large is the sum they have collected. The name of this church will be St. Paul's, and it will remain a place in which to worship our God. The laying of this stone is the commencement or foundation stone, and we call you together to see this custom, for this is by no means a new custom. God, who made us (many years ago,) commanded the tribe of Israel, to build a house, while they were wanderers in the desert, but that house was not of continual standing, its likeness was unto a tent. After they had come

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ADDRESS OF THE PROTECTOR.

tou kainga a ka atanoho ratou ka hanga ratou i tetahi ware Karakia nui. Ko te Tempara te ingoa a titiro pai ana te Atua ki a ratou, wakapai ana i a ratou mahi pai, "I ki hoki te ware i tana kororia;" otiia ka tahuri ratou ki te kino ka pa mai te riri o te Atua a ka heke haere ratou. E wehi ana hoki matou e Hoa ma kei riri mai te Atua nui ki a tatou e inoi atu ana ki a ia kia titiro aroha mai ki a tatou: i penei hoki o matou tupuna. Kia matou, he ra nui tenei, he ra e hari ai o matou ngakau, a kua karangatia koutou kia hari tahi ai tatou e hiahia ana matou kia rite tahi to tatou wakaaro ki to tatou Atua nui e hiahia ana hoki matou, kia aroha tahi tatou ki a ia ki to tatou Kuini hoki kia

to their resting place, and sat quietly, they built a large place of worship. The Temple was its name, and God was well pleased with them, and praised their works, "and the house was filled with his glory," but they turned to their evil ways, and the anger of God came down upon them, and they fell away. We also, my friends, fear and love this great God; we would not incur his anger; we ask him to look kindly upon us, for this did our forefathers. To us this day is great, a day in which our hearts rejoice, and we call on you to rejoice with us: it is our wish that our thoughts of the Great God should be one, and that we should alike love Him, and our Queen, that our hearts may be one.

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EDUCATION OF THE NATIVES.

wakakotahitia o tatou ngakau. Ka tahi ano ka hanga he ware Karakia ki tenei wahi otiia kia inoi katoa tatou ki te Atua kia wai ware Karakia tatou ki tenei wahi, ki te tini ano hoki o nga Kainga Maori ma nga Kainga Pakeha. Heoi ano taku korero koutou.

This is the first house of worship erected here, and let us pray to God, that many churches may be built here, and in every other Native and European settlement. This is our speech to you.

It is very much to be regretted, that during the many years since the establishment of the Missionaries, on the North Island, that their attention and efforts have not been directed, to teach, generally, the Native youths the English language.

To have taught some of the most intelligent youth English grammatically, when they first arrived among the Aborigines, would, not only have enabled the Missionaries themselves to acquire the Native language, much better and sooner, but would have excited a desire, among all the rising generation, to learn something of a language, the want of which the tribes continually experienced, in their trading transactions with Europeans.

To the elder population, it was necessary to teach and preach, in the Native tongue; but, by the introduction of the English language, the Missionaries would have more certainly insured the early civiliza-

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EDUCATION OF THE NATIVES.

tion of the natives, and their more ready adaptation, to understand and appreciate the truths and blessings of revealed religion.

In the employment of the Natives, the European ought either to understand Maori, or the Native English, but this is very rarely the case, on either side; hence, misunderstanding, discontent, and not unfrequently unkind feelings and ill will, arising solely from mutual ignorance of each other's language; therefore it would be beneficial to both parties, that henceforth the Government, through the Protectors, should enforce education of the native children, in English, as well as in their vernacular language. It will be the most certain means of rendering them useful and valuable auxiliaries to the Europeans in every capacity.

As the Bay of Islands, the first settlement of the Church Missionaries, and in which limited district the greater part still reside, became more frequented and populated by Europeans, the influence of the Missionaries over the Natives, commenced and gradually increased, not only from their knowledge of the native language, but from the contrast between the description and class of Europeans resident there, and the peaceful habits and moral conduct of the Missionaries. It is thus, that the Missionaries have certainly effected incalculable benefit, so far as their labours have extended, and have paved the way for more general, and a less expensive system of instruction of the Natives, both in civil obligations and religious doctrines and duties.

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MISSIONARIES.

But when the enormous sums, expended by the Church Missionary Society, since 1814, exclusive of the Wesleyan Mission, established in New Zealand in 1819, are compared with the present state (1840-1841) of the New Zealand Missions, as to schools, &c., it cannot but be allowed, that, henceforth, the appropriation of such large annual sums, under different system and management, ought to produce much greater results,

EXPENDITURE OF MISSIONS IN NEW ZEALAND.

Church Missionary Society	1840-1841	14,232 13 7
Wesleyan do.	1839	..3,885 11 11
		£18,118 5 6

Exclusive of the above, the British and Foreign Bible Society presented to the Church Missionary Society, in 1840, ten thousand New Zealand Testaments.

At the enormous annual expense of above fourteen thousand pounds, in the twenty-fifth, year of its establishment in New Zealand, the Church Missionary Society only provide, for the religious and scholastic instruction of the Aborigines, eight Missionaries and sixteen Catechists. It is true, that the official statements include 151 native teachers, but they are no expense to the Society, for, if they are paid at all, it is most probably by gifts of Bibles, Prayer Books, &c. The total number of native scholars, in all the sixteen stations of the Society, is, at present, according to the Report of the Missionaries, 7,236.

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ROMAN CATHOLICS.

It may be here remarked, that the natives of New Zealand, are, at this time, rather perplexed, as to the abandonment and change of their own ideas, and belief of religion, from the various competitors, as they suppose, that have arrived among them, to influence their ancient faith.

The Missionaries, of which there are two parties, the Church, and the Wesleyan, were first in the field; but, they very sagaciously divided the North Island, so as to avoid collision in their labours, with each other; the Church Mission reserving the Bay of Islands and the district to the Northward, with the East coast, and the Wesleyans taking the Western coast from Hokianga to Cook's Straits.

At a later period, the Roman Catholics have arrived in New Zealand, as candidates for the religious suffrages of the natives, and at this present time, there are a bishop and twenty priests actively engaged on the Northern Island.

Bishop Pompalier is a man peculiarly adapted for the purposes of the mission of his church. By education a scholar, in manners engaging, in countenance prepossessing and expressive, added to sincere and earnest zeal in the cause he has undertaken, although possessed of private personal wealth, it may be easily imagined, with the aid of pontifical robes, that he creates no ordinary sensation among the Aborigines, He has a large beautiful schooner, in which he is continually visiting the coast, and is very kind and liberal to the natives.

Since the Government has been settled in the

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PROTESTANT BISHOP AND CLERGYMEN.

Colony, there are clergymen of the Established Church at Auckland, Russell, and Port Nicholson,---at which latter place there is also a minister of the Scotch Church.

The arrival of Bishop Selwyn, with his mitred cap and lawn sleeves, and retinue of eight more clergymen, will still further surprise them; and if they can be made to understand, that the bishop is one of the heads---similar to Bishop Pompalier---of the Protestant Church, and that the clergymen, accompanying him, are dignitaries, they will then consider all the previous Missionaries and Catechists as "Kukei" or very common persons.

It is to be hoped that now, much will be done towards the instruction, in every respect, of the Natives; for, at the present time, there must be, on the Northern Island, the following Ministers of Religion:---

Established Church . .	1	Bishop
	12	Clergymen	13
Church Missionary Society	8	Clergymen
	16	Catechists	24
Wesleyan do. . .	16	Clergymen	16
Scotch Church . . .	1	Clergyman	1
Roman Catholics . . .	1	Bishop
	20	Priests	21
			75

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CLERGY.

In their endeavours to obtain proselytes, it ought to he the study and care of these several ministers of religion, to refrain from imbuing the minds of the natives, with feelings and prejudices tending to lessen the religious character and principles of others professing different opinions and belief. It is contrary to true Christianity, as well as at variance with the tolerant feelings of these enlightened times, to anathematize the members of a different religious creed as " the agents of Satan."

Forbearance and charitable feelings towards each other, will be the best exemplification to the intelligent natives, of the practical effect of the holy doctrines they all profess, though by different modes of worship.

The object of all is the same, and alike praise-worthy,---but the means, extent, and period of full attainment, rest with a higher than human power.