1830, 1831, 1832, 1834, 1835, 1837, 1843, 1850, 1854, 1855 - Church Missionary Record [Sections relating to New Zealand only] - 1854 - New-Zealand Mission, p 249-267

On Trinity Sunday the first native teacher was admitted to deacons' orders. I consider him a very humble, devoted Christian, one who loves our Saviour, who is fully acquainted with all the leading doctrines of the gospel, and deeply feels the reality and blessedness of those truths that he is going forth to proclaim to his countrymen. Follow him with your prayers, that he may be kept humble and faithful. The ordination service was most solemn and affecting: it seemed the realization of many an anxious hope, and many a fervent prayer which your Missionaries had offered in days when all around was darkness; but when, by the eye of faith, they could see in words of light, beyond the louring cloud, "He must reign--every knee shall bow." May this first-fruits be followed by an abundant harvest!

The natives in the Eastern District, where the Rev. Rota Waitoa is located, propose to build, out of their own resources, three wooden churches, and have written to Mr. Kissling and others for the gift of saws for sawing their timber. Hitherto, where they have had European pastors, they have appeared to consider that they should not be called upon to contribute for churches or buildings, and that the European pastors should themselves raise funds for these purposes. It would seem, therefore, that they are inclined to look upon native pastors as differently situated, and as requiring their aid. I consider this another encouragement in favour of a native pastorate.

In reviewing the labours of the past year, there appears much to humble, something to encourage, and all to be thankful for. We cannot doubt that the visible border of the church has been somewhat extended during the year; yet we have still to mourn and lament that the work of grace does not appear to deepen in the bulk of the Christian natives, so as to produce fruit to the glory of God. There are but few who walk in the light of life so as to receive comfort and enjoyment from it. This want on the part of the natives of progress in the divine life often gives rise to saddening and painful reflection, and can never prove satisfactory to the Missionary mind.

For several months together messengers on horseback arrived daily from the more distant parts of our district for medicine and advice, and other aid. Many have been the opportunities thus afforded of sowing the good seed of the word "beside all waters." We record it with feelings of humble gratitude to the God of all mercies, that our distribution of medicines and other aids, which funds for the sick afforded, have been greatly blessed, for we hardly know of a fatal case when timely aid was sought. The collection for the sick this year amounted to 16l.; and this is showing them, that in loving Christ and keeping His commandment, "Love one another," there is great reward, even in this life.

With regard to the outward condition of our natives, we have to report of their well-being. They are industrious, and their little properties are increasing; and many of them, as well they may, frequently remark to us how merciful the Lord has been to them, and blessed them, both in regard to their bodies and souls. Few people amongst the heathen have been so liberally dealt with as the New Zealanders; and surely the grace of the Lord has never been more magnified than in their conversion. The savage-- "the strong man armed," has been literally overcome and spoiled. The armour of superstition, wherein the strong man trusted, has been, in thousands of cases, taken away; and although Satan is ever trying some new mode to ensnare either the once-escaped, or those not yet liberated, Christ, the far stronger one, "must reign, till He hath put all enemies under His feet."

We feel that the greatest danger now to the spiritual progress of our people arises from the opening prospects of their obtaining wealth. From their well-known honesty, they have been accommodated with goods on trust to a considerable amount. This has been the constant practice of the traders in the neighbourhood, to ensure the produce of wheat and other articles. We have felt it our duty, for the sake of their spiritual welfare, remembering the injunction, "Owe no man any thing," strenuously to oppose this system, and we hope with good effect. One of the appointed native magistrates came and asked to have papers printed on this subject, which he circulated amongst store keepers.

Our people, who have been rather late

in obtaining vessels to take their produce to market, are now in possession of two, and are in treaty for three more; so that they will soon have the full privilege of selling it to the best advantage.

We are thankful for the help which the native teachers have rendered us, or, rather, the cause of Christ, during the year. They have regularly attended the teachers' meetings on Saturdays, which we trust have been greatly blessed to them, and, through them, to their people.

Nor are they without encouragement as to those spiritual results which can alone content a true Missionary.

We have met with much encouragement in our labours during the year. The daughter of the pious chief and teacher, Meinata, after three years of great suffering, died a happy death in the Lord. She was generally shy, and said little; but when death drew near, she spoke out boldly her experience, so that her parents were astonished. However ill this child--of eleven years--might be, she would be carried to church; and many times we have witnessed her mother patiently holding her daughter on her back during service. The daughter would say to her mother, "Is the service for others, and not for me?"

A few months since, we visited a native living eight miles from us, to whom affliction had been sanctified. He said, "It is my desire to give myself, body and soul, to Christ;" and just before we arrived he had been talking to a Christian native. He said, "I have been striving with Christ." The visitor asked him, "What has been your strife?" He replied, "I asked Christ if He had not said, 'Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden?'" A few minutes before he expired we asked him what Christ's supping with us meant. He said, it was a token for good.

We are thankful to report that we have met with refreshing encouragement at Ahipara, in the reception of the gospel by principal people who were once much opposed to us, and in favour of Popery. The chiefs of the Kohanga have built a handsome room, with glass windows, for a school-house and chapel. There are now three schools kept at Ahipara and the Kohanga: two of these are kept personally by Mr. Puckey, and one by our oldest native teacher, Himiona, and his wife. There is also another school commenced at Okahu, under Meinata's superintendence.

We are happy to find that the Kaitaia natives are beginning to be sensible of the great need of Christian education for their children. The backwardness which exists on this point is one of the great defects discernible in the infant church of New Zealand.

We are labouring to excite all our natives to have schools in all the villages. We hope that some little improvement is taking place in this respect. The parents can see such a difference between those children who attend school and those who do not, that when we lately said to a chief, who had three children in our school, "Some of your children talk of coming home," he immediately said, "Keep them there: what do they want here? what is there here for them?" Another, who had two sons, one of them with Mr. Dudley, said, "Our children think they may be as ignorant as their parents, but it must not be so. Our children must be kept at school." We hope that good will increase from these few witnesses of the value of education.

The communicants throughout the district number about 300. But the fact of Mr. Matthews being only in Deacons' orders interferes very seriously with his usefulness, leaving his people entirely dependent on the visits of a clergyman in Priests' orders for the administration of the Lord's-supper, and depriving many, who are prevented from attending by age or distance, of an ordinance which would be to the strengthening and refreshing of their souls.

When a whole nation, so darkly stained and so deeply degraded by vice and superstition as the New Zealanders once were, adopts, almost simultaneously, the Christian worship, professes to believe its sublime doctrines, and assumes to regulate itself by its holy precepts, one can easily conceive that there should be much of tares mixed up with the solid grain; and this mixture of nominal and real converts appears on no occasion more clearly than when they are out of the eye, or no longer under the restraint, of their respective teachers. Such is evidently the case in Auckland, to which the natives from all parts of New Zealand continually and numerously resort. In this busy scene of life--where, on the one hand, the god of mammon, the lusts of the eye and the flesh, and the pride of life, hold forth their diversified attractions, drawing into the vortex of fatal influence men of all classes, and races, and creeds; and where, on the other hand, "the truth as it is in Jesus" is faithfully preached--our baptized natives find a touchstone for the genuineness of their conversion; or, as it were, a balance to weigh the strength of their faith and the sincerity of their profession. If there be no greater joy to a minister of Christ than to see his spiritual children walk in the truth, there can, on the other hand, be no greater grief to him than to see them making shipwreck of their faith, and falling one after another into apostasy.

I would not willingly or needlessly pain you by alluding to the profaneness with which some treat the things of God, who once appeared to appreciate them very highly; nor disgust you by describing the shamelessness of their carnal indulgences, or their growing sins of drunkenness, and neglect of the means of grace, though brought before the very doors of their tents. The spirit of avarice, and the ascendancy of worldliness as their outward condition improves, have almost become proverbial. Over these things the servants of God have to mourn, to pray, and to watch with the utmost constancy and care. The fact seems to be, that the people of these islands, on their first reception of the word of God, formed as it were a heterogeneous mass, of which it was most difficult to discriminate; but its features have now become more distinct by clearer light, and the precious gradually separates from the vile. In other parts of Christ's vineyard the early converts have to go through the ordeal of persecution, or endure other afflictions, to evince their faith, and purify their hearts. In New Zealand, the sunshine of prosperity has become the season of sifting. This is infinitely more dangerous to the people just rescued from the power of sin and Satan, and requires no ordinary solicitude on the part of the Missionaries in the field. But at the very time when our body ought to be strong in the Lord, and prepared with open countenance to meet every danger, and to seize on every advantage to strengthen the stakes of this infant church, Satan has made a breach upon us, and sifted us, so that we have to bow down our heads, and seek in dust and ashes God's forgiving and healing grace. This picture receives an additional gloom from the consideration, that all those besetting sins above alluded to tend directly to a rapid diminution of this noble race. Their internal discords and civil wars reduce from day to day their strength. A visitation of an epidemic--the influenza in its worst type--has come upon the whole population, and swept many away. Either imprudent conduct, or too eager exertions to benefit by the present prosperity of the country, or other untoward circumstances, have, during the last twelve months, brought more than a hundred of them to a watery grave on the several parts of the coast. We cannot otherwise look upon these facts than with feelings of greatest anxiety and gloomy anticipation. There are, however, some bright rays in this dark but living picture, which relieve the eye and cheer the heart of those who are engaged in this work of faith and love.

Many of those old warriors, who formerly wielded their deadly weapons among less numerous or unfortified tribes, are now departing in triumph from the church militant to the saints in glory; or, while their silvery hair and glittering eyes bespeak the peaceful and happy spirit that fills their souls, they are effectual fellow-helpers in the gospel, strengthening the things that remain, or are ready to die. Young men, likewise, are coming forward to be prepared for teachers, in order to form new schools, and conduct them with efficiency among their own

people. One of them, the long companion of the Bishop during his various journeys, has been ordained, and is now labouring at my former station in Hicks' Bay. He is no doubt an humble and faithful child of God, seeking to do the work of his Divine Master with zeal and devotion. A native teacher from Otaki has been placed in my charge, to be prepared for the ministry against the return of the bishop from England.

Thirty-four girls are under instruction, some of whom we hope will become eventually matrons in similar establishments, under the blessing of God. Six of them have been lately confirmed, giving every reason to hope that they earnestly and faithfully ratified the covenant made between God and them in their infancy, in the spirit of repentance and faith. One girl, about fourteen years of age, was lately brought under our roof, attended by circumstances which are worthy of notice. She is an orphan of a great chief in the northern part of the island, whither whalers frequently resort after a cruise. Her distant relatives wished to place her on those vessels for most unworthy purposes, to gain their sordid object of filthy lucre. A humane friend, being apprised of their intention, took her away in the night in a little vessel, and brought her into school, where, as in an asylum, she rejoices to have escaped the snare of the fowler.

The native congregations at St. Barnabas have, as usual, much fluctuated during the year, in proportion to the number of the visiting parties to Auckland. Mr. Wilson, myself, and native teachers, have been attending the morning and evening service at the native hostelry; but we all had cause to complain on account of the apathy and worldliness of its inmates. Mr. Baker, also, has occasionally visited them, as well as the hospital, during his stay in Auckland preparatory to his receiving holy orders. His reading with me several hours almost every day has no doubt been profitable to us both, and it gave me no ordinary pleasure to present such an old fellow-labourer for ordination. With renewed strength we may hope he will become a further blessing as a minister of the Eastern District. I baptized six adults and twelve children during the year.

I regret to commence this report by stating the difficulty which has arisen in visiting that portion of the Auckland district committed to my charge, owing chiefly to the increase of wages, and which has prevented my visiting the various islands, &c, as often as I should otherwise have done. My chief exertions have been directed to the settlements on the island of Waiheke. I have also visited Taupo, Kaipara, Mahurangi, Matakaua, and the island of Kauwau. When residing in Auckland, I have visited the villages of Pukake, Puketapapa, and Orake; as also the jail, the hospital, and the native hostelry. One of the greatest deficiencies in this district is the want of proper chapels. The few which remain are of the worst description, and are fast hastening to decay, two having been destroyed during the present year. There are at present numbers of Europeans scattered through this part of the country, many of whom have families; and as these have no means of any spiritual instruction, I have never willingly passed them by, but have visited them, have carried such Bibles and Tracts as I have been able to procure, and have baptized their children. Nor have these attentions interfered with my primary duty towards the aborigines. Though the general features of this district are by no means so satisfactory as could be wished, they are nevertheless more encouraging than at the close of the last year. The people generally assemble in

greater numbers on the Sabbath, and, in fine weather, few absent themselves. There are also few Papists amongst them, and some of these have joined the congregations during the past year. The great difficulty connected with this people is their exposure to temptations owing to their locality, and the proximity of the islands, &c, to Auckland; and I feel persuaded that the greatest blessing which, at the present juncture, could be conferred upon them, would be a few well-qualified and zealous native teachers, "men able to teach others also," and who, by their life and doctrine, would commend the gospel of Christ to their countrymen, by walking worthy of their vocation. Two or three such men attached to this district, who might be placed at Waiheke and Taupo, would afford every encouragement to anticipate the most favourable results.

Aug. 2, 1853 --After breakfast I found the people preparing to receive Ngatipaowa, the tribe on whose account the feast was to take place. Finding that, according to custom, they were to be welcomed with a war-dance, I withdrew to some distance, that I might not afford it the countenance of my presence. It is pleasant, however, to observe, that if Christianity has not abolished this savage custom, it has at least corrected it, it being no longer performed in a state of nudity, as formerly. In performing, the two stand over against each other in compact ranks of about three deep, in which position they spring with a dancing movement, but without advancing or retreating, and in regular time, which is measured by the war-whoop, a cry perfectly different from any thing which might be expected from the human voice, and more like the roar of some terrific beast, or the laboured snortings of the locomotive. To return. The morning was exceedingly fine, and though August here corresponds with February in your hemisphere, it might have vied with any day of August there. I ascended a hill in order to view the scene and could not but be gratified with the prospect. The light morning breeze scarcely ruffled the surface of the peaceful sea, studded at no great distance with small wooded islands. Already, within the bay, and fast approaching the shore, was a fleet of thirty canoes, all moving abreast, and followed by others, with several small sailing vessels yet further behind. On the shore stood a large party of natives, waving their garments in token of welcome, and prepared to greet them on arrival in the manner already described. On leaving my position, I could not help thinking that the scene I had just witnessed might have furnished no bad subject for an artist.

Aug. 3 --After service, &c, I went out to look at the feast prepared by our natives for Ngatipaowa. It consisted of three thousand baskets of potatos and kumera, with eighty fine hogs laid upon them, and four casks of tobacco. In the evening I again held service, preached, and afterwards conversed with the natives.

It is with feelings of thankfulness to a gracious God that I now report the evidence of His blessing upon the Taupiri station, in the consistent lives and happy deaths of several of the native teachers, who have for many years laboured faithfully in this district. The principal chief of Tukopoto, the pa at Taupiri,

died most triumphantly. When near death, he exclaimed, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" The account of his last hours I forwarded to the Secretaries in June last; 1 also those of Samuel Wahapa, teacher at Rangiriri, who died suddenly, soon after exhorting the people to "watch and pray, for we know not the hour when the Son of man cometh." 2 The happy death of Daniel Uira has afforded much comfort: he was my fellow-labourer and faithful companion in my many journeys soon after the formation of the Waikato station. The remembrance of his cheerful disposition, persevering; labours, many trials, and their happy issue, affords joy even whilst sorrowing his loss. He died as he was entreating his younger brother and cousin to forsake their sins and fly to Christ. The death of Jeremiah, teacher at Wahi, was equally encouraging: his last words to the people around him were, "Be faithful to Christ! oh, be faithful unto death!" Surely we have abundant cause to "thank God, and take courage." To Him alone be all the glory! The congregations at the outposts have increased, whilst those at Taupiri have decreased. The soil having been exhausted by constant cultivation, the natives have removed down the river.

In March last the number of scholars at the Taupiri boarding-school was seventy-seven. I have, however, been obliged to dismiss some, and refuse to admit others, from want of funds. The natives have given a block of good land at Pepepe, containing 1385 acres, for the support of the school, for which a government grant has been issued under the new regulation, and a kindred institution is now formed at Pepepe for native teachers, who, I trust, will render the land available, by cultivation, for the support of both institutions. The latter has been commenced without the assistance of the Society or the government; and the prayers of the friends of the Society are earnestly entreated, that it may prosper, as the permanent maintenance of the Taupiri schools must eventually depend upon its success. Twenty acres of land are already under cultivation. The present number of scholars at Taupiri is fifty, and of native teachers at Pepepe ten.

The block given up at Otawhao for my school, when surveyed, proved to be 870 acres; so that, with the land granted by Sir G. Grey, part of which was a gift from the natives to the Church Missionary Society, three years ago, and a small piece since given, we have now at Otawhao nearly 1100 acres of some of the finest land in New Zealand. I believe the bishop and governor consider that district as the garden of New Zealand. Here, then, we have one of the finest estates in the island at our command for school purposes. When this estate is brought under grass, and stocked, it ought to support, clothe, and educate, a school of 300 children.

Now arises a serious and important question. We are preparing for the opening of the female Maori branch, to be united to our half-caste school at the Mission station; and then, D. V., we shall prepare for the Maori male school on the estate of 870 acres, half a mile from the Otawhao Mission station. The important question then is, who are to teach these schools? I am quite willing to give up, if the Parent Committee approve of it, my undivided time to the schools; but the Parent Committee will agree with me when I say that I cannot alone, single-handed, conduct those schools and also attend to the ministerial and pastoral

duties of a district seventy miles in length. We cannot procure, in New Zealand, suitable masters for our schools. Our great want is trained and married schoolmasters from England. We must either have them, or conduct the schools ourselves, to the neglect of our pastoral duties, or--for I am convinced there is no middle course--after all the anxiety of Sir G. Grey and the bishop to establish these schools, after all our labour and anxiety in founding them, they will fail, and our work will be lost, lost, and the rising generation neglected, at a most critical season in the history of your Mission, for the want of trained schoolmasters and their wives to carry on the good work. We want men, devoted to their work, who will take an interest, not only in teaching in the school, but also in the farm industrial work.

I am glad to say that the two churches in my district are going steadily forward. The Otawhao church is now being roofed in. I shall feel very much obliged if the Parent Committee will supply me with a large English Bible and Prayer-book for each of the churches. My list of subscriptions for the two new buildings now amounts to 600l.; viz. Church Missionary Society 200l., Aborigines of the district 300l., European friends 100l. I still require 150l. to complete the two buildings. The rise in all descriptions of building materials, from the discovery of gold, has seriously increased the cost of the churches; but I am determined, by the blessing of God, not to cease my exertions until I obtain the last shilling required for the neat and substantial completion of the buildings.

The admission to Priests' Orders of the Rev. T. Chapman has enabled me to avail myself of his assistance in administering the Lord's supper in those parts of the archdeaconry which I have not personally visited. The communicants now number 730, being a small increase on the preceding year. The congregations have maintained the average last reported. We have increased the number in our girls'-school to seventeen, who are boarded, clothed, and lodged at the Mission settlement, and have added English to their former lessons in Scripture instruction, reading, writing, arithmetic, and sewing. We have also five native teachers under daily instruction, and on Saturdays continue to assemble the class of teachers for Scripture exposition. They vary from twelve to twenty in number. Many in this class are middle-aged and old men, who for years have walked consistently in the presence of their countrymen; and, though perfectly incompetent to master the English language, arithmetic, and geography, are yet most efficient teachers of those great truths which can alone make us "wise unto salvation." And here I beg, in passing, to call the attention of the Parent Committee to the fact, that the Board of Education entrusted with the administration of the funds supplied by government have published a syllabus of the course to be pursued at the examination for office of native teachers, embracing inter alia "an outline of Scripture geography, readiness in the rules and tables in English, rule of three, practice, geography, product, climate, possessions, and aspect of countries, accurate pronunciation of simple and compound English sounds." I do not enter into the question of the desirableness or otherwise of insisting upon all these points, even for the next generation; but firmly believing that the exaction of such tests at the present time would exclude from support as schoolmasters a great majority of our most valuable native catechists, I would press upon the consideration of the Parent Committee the expediency of forming one or more humble institutions, independent of the Educational Board, in which the class of natives I have alluded to may be instructed more perfectly in the "things that accompany salvation," but in which some of the subjects mentioned in the syllabus shall not be made essential to the holding of office as a native catechist.

The extravagant prices paid to the natives for labour and provisions in the neighbourhood of Auckland have tended much to unsettle their minds, and draw off their attention from heavenly treasures to those things which "perish with the using." We can only hope that the natives may ultimately be induced, by the

strength of Christian principle, to dedicate some portion of the wealth which they are too rapidly gaining for their spiritual interests, to the service of Him whose are the silver and the gold. The withdrawal of the Roman-Catholic priest from Tauranga more than six months since, leads us to hope that the Papists do not find in the natives the ready reception which they had anticipated for their idolatrous doctrines, and that such of the natives as have been led captive may yet be brought back to acknowledge "the truth as it is in Jesus." We have not been without evidence that our work has progressed during the past year; but we increasingly feel the necessity of adopting as our Missionary motto, "We walk by faith, not by sight."

Last year our former quietness was disturbed by a threatened war on account of the island of Motiti (Flat Island). This year we have the truly lamentable quarrel at Tarawera, caused by the disputed possession of the celebrated hot-baths at Rotomahana. About fifteen men have fallen in their several petty fights. The general state of the natives is therefore very unsatisfactory. The above petty warfare now carrying on, and, more or less, bringing every tribe into collision, is a period when "the fruits of the Spirit" are little likely to flourish. Satan has sadly gained advantage over us. Throughout this season of trial, the party attacked--Tuhorangi tribe of Tarawera-- have shown great forbearance, and more Christian character than generally belongs to war.

The boarding-school for the present year numbers eleven scholars. Their behaviour has been uniformly good. The school has been examined by Archdeacon Brown. There is little to remark upon the course of the present year, save that I would respectfully say to the Parent Society, "You are looking earnestly upon other lands, but 'slack not thy hand from thy servants' here; for, however great may be the liberality of the government, we have so many points which demand an increase of attention to the baptized children scattered over the surface of New Zealand, that you cannot withdraw any portion of your liberality without retarding the work of education, now so imperfectly carried on, and almost abandoned in districts that are unaided by the direct personal attention of the Missionary.

The close of the year 1853 finds us in a position not easy of explanation. We are like those who "watch for the morning," at a time when the evening shadows had told of victory partially gained, and the enemy dispirited, but nothing had been secured. Such a season must necessarily be one of anxiety and suspense, not of relaxation and lessening the munitions of war. The often-used quotation "Come over, and help us," may, as in a figure, be said to be the cry of every baptized, uncared-for child in our infant churches of New Zealand. "Preach the word... in season, out of season," is St. Paul's injunction; and "feed my lambs" has lost nothing of its force thereby: we may neither disregard the one, nor reject the other; and I do, therefore, respectfully urge our kind fathers at home to throw in such additional means as may collect the scattered seed of the rising churches of New Zealand, and give that impetus to educational efforts which is so largely and so urgently required by the state of the baptized, yet almost heathen, children of this colony. As a Society, you have indeed begun a good work in New Zealand; but beware how you abandon your harvest before the seed for the coming season is secured, lest the ever-watchful enemy should "come in like

a flood," and bear away as spoil that upon which so much painful labour and expense has been bestowed. I remember, in early days, remarks were made (here) imputing an improvident use of funds by building the stone store at the Kerikeri. At the time it was built nothing could have been more suitable, and every pains was taken to secure the strictest economy. But it was not finished, or scarcely so, before rapid changes took place in the country -- the Missionary body broke up -- Thames, Waikato, Matamata, and Rotorua stations were formed, followed quickly by others, leaving the former scene of our Missionary labours but a small spot when compared with the new fields opened out; and soon your labourers were covering the whole length and breadth of the land. The Kerikeri store stands desolate; not a mark of wasteful expenditure, but a beacon, telling of the rapidity with which opening Missionary fields were filled up, leaving the old encampment with its before necessary appliances, because the long winter had unexpectedly ceased, and a time for action had arrived. But is it forgotten, that we were continually warned to form no more new stations, yet they were formed? We were remonstrated with, yet--more in faith than obedience--were their numbers increased. And so it was, that by the time the Popish Bishop and his emissaries arrived in New Zealand, the New Testament had warned the natives generally of the errors of Popery, giving such a check to Popish efforts, that it was only by receiving, and at once baptizing, the untaught heathen--largely, also, distributing gifts--that the Papists gained a footing in the various places where priests were located. The two parties--Protestant and Papist--under the growth of present circumstances, will soon present the same aspect, for the children of both are growing up in the same lamentable ignorance; while we, as Protestants, will not possess the advantages of prayers to saints, holy water, penances, pardons or indulgences, images, beads, crosses, wonder-working medals, lying pictures, or bits of saints.

We sympathise with you in the difficulties you are feeling from the many calls upon you to enter new fields of holy warfare; but it is matter of very grave consideration as to when is the suitable time to withdraw from infant churches. Permit me to say, surely not when means are required to establish, under God's blessing, the rising generation in their most holy faith.

What I have principally to remark with regard to the Tarawera district is, the trial of faith which the professors of Christianity have been subjected to in a dispute about the possession of the celebrated hot-springs and lake of Rotomahana, originating with a tribe who formerly, with only a mutual hereditary right, forcibly held exclusively all the privileges connected with it. They, presuming upon the Christian forbearance of the other party, again demanded sole and undivided possession.

But the affair has been greatly aggravated by the coming in of a party from Rotoiti, of the Rotorua district, to avenge the death of the principal instigator of the contest, who fell among the first, and was related to the Rotoiti people. This latter party have suffered severely, and, with the original aggressors, were unwilling to come to terms of peace, on account of the great inequality in having suffered the loss of some of their principal chiefs; while the remarkable escapes of the self-defenders have so wrought upon the superstition of the aggressors, that they, attributing the comparative safety of their foes to their having the God of heaven on their side, attempted to join in prayers (karakia), and preached about those "who through faith subdued kingdoms," &c.; but I hope are beginning to see the hollowness of this resource at such a time, and for such a purpose.

I am happy, however, to state, that those hitherto considered hopeful remain stedfast, even though among the most deeply interested, having embraced a better part, and endeavour, to the utmost of their power, to restrain those with whom a desire for war, rather than possession, is a ruling motive.

The towns and coast settlements offer many inducements to the inland natives, so that in our connexion with them we are made to feel the transition process: yet we have to thank God that the blessed gospel has been introduced as a corrective for the evils incident to their coming in contact with a business world; and which,

at the same time, manifests itself as the power of God in counteracting the evil tendencies of the native state.

It is with feelings of gratitude to Almighty God that I record His sparing mercies towards myself, family, and natives committed to my charge, during the epidemic which has been raging since the end of January last. Only one adult has fallen amidst the many that were afflicted at Opotiki: on the coast there have been many deaths, especially among the aged.

In the month of October we were alarmed by the account that the natives of the tribe Te Wanauapanui were making preparations of a warlike nature, to seek payment for a charge of cannibalism brought against them many years ago, by the tribes (to the eastward) Te Wanauatehutu and Te Wanauatemaru. Lately, the principal calumniator was discovered, who had occasioned this hostile movement. On hearing the above, I immediately set out to visit the contending party; and I have to record the mercy of the God of Peace in restraining the outgoings of the natural heart. To Him be all the glory ascribed!

I am thankful in being able to report that the school for the native teachers, which has been attended by them five times during the past year, has continued. I trust, with increasing desire on their part for a better acquaintance with the word of God. On my return from the country in the month of February, the girls re-assembled at school. During the year we have averaged eighteen, though there were at one time twenty-two in the house, a most inconvenient number for the accommodation. Owing to the floods, the natives lost a great deal of their crops, and I was unable, at any price, to purchase food for the support of the schools: consequently, at the close of October, I was most unwillingly obliged to dismiss the children until the new crops would come in. We regretted this very much, as the children were evidently improving, and were becoming more tractable. Mrs. Davies has attended closely to them in the afternoons, and holding Sunday-school with them.

Some natives, I regret to say, have forgotten the solemn vows made by them in their baptism: others are, I trust, adorning their profession by an increased desire after a further acquaintance in the way of truth. The state of the whole district, with the exception of Te Waimana and Ohiwa, are, I consider, in a promising state. Sunday and day-schools are regularly attended; but still we long to see more cases of genuine repentance, more earnest cries, "What must I do to be saved?"

Before finally leaving this Station, it becomes my duty to furnish a report for the former part of the year, up to the 16th of August last, at which time archdeacon W. Williams arrived here. I fulfil this duty with peculiar feelings of thankfulness to Almighty God for many special blessings granted to us during our sojourn in this place.

Our Sunday-morning congregation at the station has always been good: that in the evening has, perhaps, lost a little, owing to parties having to return to a distance for food. At the outposts I have always found good congregations. The gospel, which has formerly been preached here, having produced a state of peace which now enables every man to retire to a distance from his village, to cultivate his own peculiar inheritance, without fear, together with the increase of industry, has made it much more difficult now for large numbers to meet for instruction than formerly.

Popery in this district has almost ceased to exist: I only know of one chief, with a very few of his people, who keep up that form of worship.

The industrial boarding-school has continued to meet our fullest expectations. In January last we commenced Hullah's system of singing, and have found the progress made satisfactory. Those of the young people who took a pleasure in it were able, at the end of six months, to take their parts, and sing from notes several of Hullah's songs, and "God save the Queen." So much we cannot say of their English lessons. In sewing, Mrs. Grace reports considerable advance, as well as in their general domestic services. Amongst the young men, seven have learned to plough, some of whom came for that purpose, and afterwards returned to their villages. Four natives have been taught to make the carpenter's work for a plough, two of whom also came from a distance for that purpose, and, having made their plough, returned. These may appear small matters, but, to a people in the present state of these natives, they are most important. Modern improvements in such things should, for the most part, be cautiously avoided, as throwing obstacles in the way of native advancement. In teaching school we begin with A B C; but, in teaching civilization, we too often commence with things analogous to words of seven syllables.

The Sunday evening school has gone on without interruption, having been kept up by Mrs. Grace in my absence. The amount of Scripture that the elder portion of the establishment have committed to memory has surprised us. I have had nineteen years' experience in Sunday-schools at home, but have never had lessons of such a length learned so well, and so long persevered in. In addition to the collect, gospel, and epistle, we commenced the history of Joseph on Advent Sunday, Nov. 1852, and finished it by the middle of the July following, a few weeks before my work here was ended. Upon this Sunday-evening school I look back with greater pleasure than upon any other part of our labour here. We cannot but believe that the amount of Scripture which has been committed to memory, and the great number of Scripture subjects that have, in nearly three years, come under consideration, will, in God's good time, bring forth fruit.

In May last we had a native teachers' school, when twenty-two native teachers and monitors, from this and the Uawa district, assembled for a fortnight. They worked hard whilst here, and, I humbly trust, carried home with them some little information as a reward for their toil. They caused a little more work than usual in our domestic arrangements; but our native girls seemed determined to perform their part well. They provided the food with the greatest willingness and alacrity, and appeared untiring in their zeal to make them understand some of the advantages of a civilized life. Their interest in this subject, I believe, arose out of a discussion which took place at a former native-teachers' school, as to whether such a mode was applicable to natives, and in accordance with Scripture: the conclusion of which, as afterwards reported to us, was unanimously favourable.

The early part of this year was rather full of events of a varied character. In February I fulfilled a long-standing promise to some natives inland of taking Mrs. Grace with me to visit them. Our governess and eldest little girl, with most of the school-girls, accompanied us. The natives provided the ladies with horses, and our whole party with plenty of food. The journey occupied eight days, five of which were spent in travelling, during which time we met with many most pleasing instances of affection, which we can never forget. The natives also were evidently much pleased, and, I trust, benefited. This journey did not cost a farthing in any way, which is a proof that natives are not invariably covetous.

In March we had a flood, much greater than the oldest native remembers to have seen, which caused sad destruction: much food was washed away; many villages were inundated; and a winter of great scarcity has followed. Providentially, no lives were lost in this district.

At this time, also, occurred the death of the greatest woman of this place. Her baptized name was Victoria, and many called her the Queen. She died of consumption, surrounded by friends who did all they could to persuade her that she was bewitched, among whom were, I regret to say, two native teachers. Consequently, my visits to her at first were not very welcome; but as her end drew near, her faith began to revive, and for some weeks before her death she bore testimony, both to Mrs. Grace and myself, of her faith in Christ alone. The night before her death I visited her for the purpose of administering to her the Lord's supper. She then told me that

she was dying, and should soon be with her Lord. She spoke much of her Saviour; but it was impossible to understand all she said, so weak was her voice. She had frequently told me that she did not believe that she was bewitched, but some of her friends believed it. She delivered several exhortations to her people, to give up their quarrelling and bad ways, and to "make strong" their service to God.

Two other happy deaths occurred soon afterwards, in my absence, of which the natives gave most satisfactory accounts.

The death of Victoria had nearly involved us in a war with the great chief, Te Kani a taki rau. The tribe of Victoria, many of whom believed she had been bewitched by an old priest at Anaura, set out on the 11th of April, 150 strong, and well armed, to avenge her death. I felt it my duty to follow the army--for it had set off privately before I was aware. I did so with all haste, and overtook it in the evening. On the following days I kept a few hours' journey before the army, in order to appease the hostile villages before it arrived. After much trouble and many fears, I rejoice to say that our warfare terminated, after five days' march to Anaura, rather for the furtherance of the gospel of peace.

Our stay in this district, though short, has allowed us to mark the changes which are taking place in the condition of this people. Their trading, which is now considerable, has attained a degree of intelligence beyond what might have been expected in so short a time. In March 1852 I attended the first native feast off the station, conducted in English style, to celebrate the harvest-home. The food consisted of roast pork, potatos, and apple-pudding, followed in the evening with a plentiful supply of well-sweetened tea, and good bread. This feast was entirely got up by natives, in imitation of one we had given to the school a little time before, upon finishing our first harvest. After dinner we were entertained with speeches, the tenor of which ran upon temporal advancement; and after having referred to the advantage of the use of money, which at this time they were beginning to appreciate, our motto was, "Ploughs, Sheep, and Ships," as a basis out of which was to spring European civilization. I had had much conversation with some of them individually before; but now they appeared in a body to lay hold of these ideas with a giant's grasp, and have, so far, continued to work it out with a steady perseverance, which I did not think their excitable temperaments capable of. And now the plough is in full operation; sheep have been introduced; four small vessels purchased, and nearly paid for. Flour mills are anxiously desired. Several rough though better kind of houses have been erected, and timber sawn by natives for one substantial European house. A very considerable amount of wheat is now consumed by the natives; and, as they themselves have noticed, a great decrease has taken place in the number of deaths. It is rather remarkable that we have not buried one individual from the school since we came. As regards temporal things, the eagerness for instruction has been great. As regards their spiritual welfare, I may say, "O that there were such an heart in them:" yet, how often are even good men found to be wiser in providing for the things of time, than for those of eternity.

As the country is daily undergoing great changes, it may be well on this occasion to take a general review of the progress of Christianity at this place, and of other alterations which have been incident upon it. The first visit paid by me from the Bay of Islands was in the year 1838; shortly after which a party of native teachers was located here; and at the beginning of 1840, when I came to reside permanently, the labour of the teachers had been so much blessed, that the body of the people were at once ranged on the side of Christianity. Much of this movement might be the effect of excitement. They heard the word gladly; but by-and-bye many were offended. And yet the falling away among professors was not so extensive as might have been anticipated. There was a relaxation of attention, but seldom did the people abandon the profession of Christianity; and very many, who left us for a time, returned again to a more steady and healthy profession of Christian principles. During an interval of fourteen years, besides the common trials to which new converts are subjected, there have been two causes at work which have put their Christian sincerity to the test.

First, the arrival of a Popish priest among us, introduced by two chiefs of influence, who had taken umbrage at some of the proceedings of the Christian party, and who hoped thus to form a party peculiarly their own. For a time, all that were discontented and all that were in disgrace gathered round them, and the party seemed to assume some importance. But in a little while they dwindled away, and the priest withdrew for want of support.

The second cause which has been at work is one which brings with it greater danger. It is, worldly prosperity. The colonization of the country has had the effect of increasing trade; and the possession of property only increases the desire to possess more. They first cultivated wheat on my arrival amongst them in 1840; and now the demand of the Auckland market has greatly increased, and prices having been raised to an exorbitant height by the supplies required in the Australian colonies, they are stimulated to bestow a great amount of attention upon agriculture. In many respects this is an advantage to them, but still they are exposed to much danger. Our effort must be to influence them, if possible, that their prosperity may tend to their civilization; and that, while aiming at civilization, they do not lose their Christian simplicity. The introduction of the plough amongst them is clearly an advantage. The natives of Turanga have had before them, for some years past, the example of three or four English settlers; but they were slow to take up this improvement. At length, in 1849, I purchased two ploughs for them; and about the same time there was one enterprising native, then in charge of our school, who broke in four of our oxen, which have ever since been employed in work for the school. This native left the school shortly after my departure for England; but he has since broken in to the yoke other oxen for himself and his friends; so that now there are two teams regularly at work, and a prospect of a rapid increase of this assistance to labour. As yet, however, they have made no alteration in the construction of their houses, nor in their style of living, except that their diet is of a more wholesome character, by reason of the increased consumption of wheat.

With an improvement of worldly prosperity, and a consequent desire after the things of this life, it is not a matter of surprise that there should be less attention paid by many to religion. In short, in many cases the seed is choked by the care of this world, and by the deceitfulness of riches. The congregations on the Sabbath-day improve, and the Bible classes are being diligently worked. This is a means of instruction which I think cannot be too much insisted on. To say nothing of the ignorance of the people, which needs line upon line and precept upon precept, I have found, by long experience in this Mission, that it is the most powerful means of attaching the natives to their minister in the closest bonds of affection, and that it gives him a moral influence among them which he would not otherwise possess.

The preparations towards the central establishment contemplated by the Society proceed slowly, but nearly half the amount of building required will be ready for the commencement of the teachers' school on the arrival of the Rev. W. L. Williams.

Our church, with all its elaborate carving, is still in an unfinished state. This is our first object, and the work is proceeding rapidly: the natives have come forward with liberal contributions in wheat to meet the expenses of work which is not within their reach.

The weekly meeting with the teachers has been kept up, when the principal exercise has been the preparation of a subject for the sermon of the following Sunday morning. Upon this we hope shortly to enlarge by the establishment of a regular teachers' school. God has now raised up a church in this land, which was so lately a stronghold of Satan. It remains for us to endeavour to build up and establish, by a perseverance in our work, and by carrying out such new measures as may be proposed.

In January I made a journey to Uawa for the purpose of seeing Hakopa, the native teacher, whom consumption had brought near to the gates of the grave. I had three interviews with him, in all of which he expressed the same faith and confidence in Christ his Saviour. To the question, "Are you not afraid to die?" he more than once, without the least hesitation, answered, "No." "Are

you not a sinner?" "Yes." "On what do you rest for salvation?" "On Christ: for His death my sins are forgiven." He also spoke much of the indifferent state of many of his people, and was evidently much concerned about them. From Uawa having been accustomed to have a resident Missionary, the people were no doubt less disposed to listen to him than those of other places who have not enjoyed that privilege: in addition to which, the people of Uawa appear more indolent in both spiritual and temporal things, than their neighbours. On the Sunday evening, according to custom, I had the native teachers and monitors of the neighbourhood to go over the gospel for the day with me at the Mission house; after which we had much conversation respecting the place, in connexion with the approaching death of Hakopa. They appeared much affected, and pressed me very strongly to come and stay with them instead of going to Taupo; "for," said they, "we are left orphans." I reminded them that they had had a Missionary for many years, and that the Taupo people had had none. Poor Hakopa died a fortnight afterwards, witnessing a good confession; all bearing testimony to the strength and clearness of his faith to the last.

When I visited this district again in April, it was in company with the fighting expedition of the Turanga people. 3 I there found the two large pas of Uawa, as well as those of Puatai and Anaura, strongly fortified, at very great labour. Evidently they would not have been able to defend themselves against the army, yet there were a few desperate fellows amongst them who seemed to delight in war. The majority, however, were heartily glad to see me: my coming was to them an omen for good. And when I related to them the peace we had effected at Puatai with Te Kani, they were not a little relieved from the state of anxiety and suspense in which they had been kept. They had been having service three times a day for two or three weeks. No doubt this was, with many, the effect of fear; but some, I feel sure, made prayer their refuge in the hour of danger.

We have no account to give of any new fields of labour having been entered by us; nor have we to record the triumphs of the gospel over any new heathen tribes. The cultivation of the old field is now the great work. To eradicate old and long-confirmed habits and customs, to form the character anew, and to induce the natives to adopt habits of industry, honesty, and cleanliness, is a work of no ordinary kind, particularly in Hawke's Bay, which is now become proverbial for wickedness, where are a number of whites whose words and actions are in direct opposition to the gospel of Christ, and to the well-being of society; and some of whom profess to be led by the principles of Tom Paine, which they fail not to instil into the minds of those by whom they are surrounded, when they have an opportunity.

I have continued to visit the natives at the various residences during the year with considerable regularity; and am thankful to be able to report that there has been an increase in the attendance at the Bible and other classes this year.

In my last visit round the inland parts of the district I was much encouraged to see the people willingly come forward to attend these classes, some of whom, on former occasions, had pleaded various ex-

cuses for absenting themselves from this profitable employment.

The church services on Sundays and on the usual week-days have been regularly conducted; and the congregations have generally kept up their numbers, both at the station and outposts, on Sundays; but the attendance on the week-day lecture has varied considerably. We have to mourn over many who still appear indifferent about the concerns of their never-dying souls; but others are advancing in Christian knowledge, and some, I hope, are growing in grace.

Amongst those who have joined the whaling parties some improvement is discernible. Several young men have left them, and declare that they do not intend to return to that employment; and most of these native whalers appear willing to listen to the word whenever it is spoken to them: but of others it may truly be said that they wax worse and worse. Petty thefts have lately increased at the Wairoa, but they are mostly confined to those who have joined the whaling parties, and their immediate relatives.

The natives are now more scattered than ever. Formerly, the more distant of them were only three days' journey from the station, but now many are distant five days' journey; and they state that it is necessary for them to cultivate these distant places to keep possession of their land. The difficulty, therefore, of visiting them is much increased; and the adult schools, which used to be kept up, have much decreased in their attendance, and at some places have ceased altogether; not from any disaffection on the part of the natives to attend, but in consequence of their being so scattered from each other. At Mohoka, and some other places, where the natives are more concentrated, I have frequently had upwards of seventy adults in the classes assembled in school on Sundays and other days when I have visited them.

In reviewing the occurrences of the year now concluded, there appears much for which we should be humbled, but likewise much for which we should give thanks to our Heavenly Father, as tending to afford us encouragement in the work in which we are engaged. At times, improvement seems to proceed slowly: one seems inclined to ask, What has been done during the past year? But reflection brings the conviction, that no very visible religious or moral change can be expected in the population at large in that period of time. And with regard to individuals, while some disappoint our expectations, many give us great satisfaction.

The mortality has been about the average of other years; but this year two of the leading chiefs died within a fortnight of each other. The death of the elder was rather sudden. The younger died after a protracted illness, which he bore with Christian patience: he seemed to depart in the firm faith that a life of eternal bliss with Christ awaited him. On the death of the elder chief, many of his relatives, and, among these, Te Rangihaiata, came from a distance to weep and lament over the corpse; and I was surprised to find lamentations as loud and boisterous as in former years, and some of the people of this place looking on without any apparent attempt to check them. It was certainly twelve years since I had witnessed any scene of the kind. It is the occasional revival of such practices, long after they are supposed to be abandoned and forgotten, which warns us not to relax our exertions, or assume too readily that our work is done.

Considerable improvement has taken

place in the habits of the people: they have made great progress in civilization I have been anxiously watching this change. It has lately been rather unduly accelerated by the high prices they receive both for their labour and their produce, arising out of the stimulus given to trade by the gold-diggings in the neighbouring colonies. On the whole, I am inclined to think that the result will be advantageous. I cannot but think that every thing which tends to raise them above their old native habits must be good in the main. Still, it is needful that they should be guarded and cautioned, lest their hearts should be drawn away from spiritual riches while occupied in amassing earthly goods. This, therefore, has been a new source of care to us. We have cause to be thankful that hitherto no obstacle to our usual work has been caused by this temptation. Though the charge of the converts is now an important part of our work--and, considering the state the natives of this country were in previous to their conversion, a far more important part of a Missionary's work than is probably imagined by those who have had no experience of similar work-- we are still able to report some additions during the year. Eighty-three adults have been baptized; and it is satisfactory to observe, that whereas, in former years, males generally exceeded females in number, this number is now composed of twenty-four males and fifty-nine females. It is highly satisfactory for several reasons, but chiefly because it is a proof that women are not so degraded, nor kept in such a state of servitude, as they were in former years, but that they are interesting themselves more in Christianity, and may be expected ere long to occupy that position which is always afforded them where-ever our holy religion produces any permanent impression.

The holy communion has been administered periodically in the district at five different places, as in previous years. The number of communicants has not decreased. They seldom or never absent themselves without coming to inform us that something has occurred which would induce them to remain away, unless we should not consider it a sufficient reason for advising them to take such a step. By this means we keep up a constant communication with them.

Our school arrangements during the year have been very much forwarded; and in no former year have we had so much ground for believing that the good to be done by means of these would be so great and so cheering as it appears to be. Till lately, it was only by the greatest exertion that we could persuade the people that schools were of much use; but now our school seems highly appreciated, and all connected with it appear to be in good spirits. Certainly the foundation of what may, with the divine blessing, become a valuable instrument for the evangelization of these people, seems to have been laid. Fruit is already visible: a great difference can be seen between those who have been under our care, and those who have lived in their own abodes. We trust, also, that higher principles actuate many of them. Nothing, however, requires more attention than such a school as ours: any neglect may ruin it.

The close of another year brings with it increased cause for thankfulness to Almighty God for His blessing, which has apparently rested upon our labours. We, however, rejoice with trembling. There has nothing new of any consequence taken place affecting the natives generally. Every thing is quiet and peaceable, and our work has been carried on without interruption, as, heretofore, in all the neighbouring villages.

Touching our school operations in this place. The carpenters have completed the boys' boarding-house, and are now building a substantial barn, which I hope will be ready to receive a portion of our coming harvest. The sawyers are cutting the timber for the girls' boarding-house, and I hope we shall scon be able to commence the erection.

The boys' boarding-house being new open, we have removed them, forty-six in number, out of their temporary dwellings. The change is very striking, and a great comfort, not only to the boys themselves, but also to those who have the management of them. There is accommodation for 100, which will allow of our gradually increasing our numbers. Our whole school, including day-scholars, numbers from eighty to one hundred.

The boarders have, during their working hours, besides carting the timber, bricks, time, &c, for the buildings, and cutting a quantity of draining, put under crop--

The native girls, twelve in number, who are boarded in the house, continue to give us great satisfaction; and I hope we shall find the advantage, in opening the girls' boarding-school, of having commenced beforehand with a select number. The first fruit which has been gathered home to her eternal rest in peace and happiness is the eldest girl, who had been with us the greater part of the time we have been in this place. She was always looked up to by the rest of the girls, and her good conduct gained her the respect of all in the village. Her removal was indeed a loss to us, but gain to her.

I have visited the Ahuriri district twice this year, at the request of the bishop; the first of which visits occupied from March 1st till April 29th, and the second from August 13th till Sept. 30th--sixteen weeks in all. The Committee will be pleased to hear that there is much of a very satisfactory nature to be seen. Several of the native teachers, some of whom came originally from Turanga, and one, an old native of Archdeacon Hadfield's, from Manawatu, have been very energetic.

The close of another year brings with it renewed cause for thankfulness to the Almighty, for all His mercies bestowed upon us as the humble instruments employed in making known His name amongst the heathen; and while we have had much to try and humble us, and cause us to walk with fear and trembling, we have still had sufficient to encourage us to persevere, and assure us that the Lord will not leave the work unfinished which has been so successfully commenced in this land.

My duties during the last year have been similar to those of the preceding ones: I have visited Rotoaira and Taupo, and taken my usual journeys to the other parts of my district. When at home, I have given two daily services, and held a weekly meeting with the communicants. I have administered the Lord's supper nine times in different parts of the Wanganui district. The number of communicants has been rather larger than that of the last year: this has also been the case with those baptized, amongst whom were two of the principal chiefs of the western coast. Mamaku, one of them, commanded the hostile natives during the late war at the Hutt, and also at Wanganui. Since that period he has lived very peaceably, with his tribe, on the Upper Wanganui; and for many years has been a diligent reader of God's holy-word, and I trust a sincere inquirer after the truth. The great obstacle to his being sooner baptized was his having three wives. The sudden removal of them, how-

ever, one after the other, caused Mamaku to view this dispensation as a clear indication of the Divine will, and he immediately presented himself as a candidate.

Respecting the spiritual state of the natives in my district I have to report that they are living in peace; but, I fear, too generally in deadness and indifference to religion. No longer being compelled to live in fortified pas, they are now dispersed, each family residing on its own inheritance; and thus, seldom having an opportunity of attending the means of grace, they gradually become careless and neglectful, and retrograde in spiritual knowledge.

The great increase in the value of food has also interposed a barrier to the continuance of the large assemblies of former years. The high price obtained for native produce has in many instances called forth the worst feelings of the mind, and concealed or choked the best. Too little of the seed now sown falls, it is to be feared, on the good ground. Still, however, there are many exceptions: the increased number of baptisms and communicants must be viewed as signs for good.

My Missionary meeting was well attended; and as the natives had just before been called upon to raise a large sum for the erection of mills, the amount collected--cash, 8l. 10s. promised, 11. 10s. -- was good, and great interest appeared to be taken in the proceedings.

From the cause above mentioned, the daily services are not so well attended as in former times, but the Sabbath congregations are generally good.

It is pleasing to behold the rapidly-increasing importance of the native race, which even the tide of emigration now setting into these shores will not diminish: they still continue to be the chief producers; and it is by them that the enlarged consumption of Australia is mainly supplied. Nor is it probable that the European will be able to compete with them, from the extreme scarcity and dearness of labour. We must regard this remarkable fact as being one of the grand providential bulwarks against the exterminating influence of European colonization.

All the energy of the native race is now given to the erection of mills; and the quick-sighted enemy, perceiving this, has made use of it as a means of spreading Popery, by the tempting promise of building mills. The Wanganui Popish Mission is provided with a lay associate, who is also a millwright. The first attack made by the priests on Otaki was by erecting a mill there; and having secured a lodgment in that district, they have now made a similar one on Wanganui, where they have built a small mill. It is not with the bread of life, but the bread that perisheth, they offer to sustain their followers.

We are now preparing for the erection of our new school-house. The building at present used for that purpose is very small, so that we can only accommodate a few as boarders: the number thus received has ranged from seven to nine; but the progress they have made has been very satisfactory. By taking the children at an early age, we are better able to lay a good foundation, and are more likely to avoid the effects of that depravity, which cannot but exist where the sexes are permitted to live promiscuously together. I feel it a duty, as well as a pleasure, to state my full satisfaction with the way of instruction adopted by the master, Mr. James Booth, and my conviction, that, should his life be spared, our school will prove a great blessing to the native race.