1840.] COMMERCE. 309 



the " parson-bird," probably for the reason that its loud, 

 screaming, and not very pleasant notes, resemble the declam- 

 atory articulations of the Wesleyan missionary. 



(8.) The chief articles of export from the islands, are flax, 

 spars, pine timber, potatoes, and kauri gum. The last is 

 obtained from the pine tree of that name, and is shipped to 

 New South Wales and Europe, where it is made into excel- 

 lent varnish. In return for their commodities, the inhabit- 

 ants of New Zealand import, or purchase from the trading ves- 

 sels in exchange for their products, domestic goods, blankets, 

 guns, powder, lead, agricultural implements, rice, sugar and 

 molasses. At one time the whale fishery was the most profit- 

 able employment connected with commerce, and both French 

 and American vessels participated largely in it ; but since the 

 establishment of custom houses, and a regular government, 

 they do not visit the islands as much as formerly, and from 

 the causes before mentioned, the fishery is said to be less 

 valuable, though numbers of persons are still engaged in it. 



Though exhibiting so little skill or taste in the construction 

 of their mean, low, and dirty houses, the native New Zea- 

 landers in reality possess great mechanical ingenuity. This 

 is displayed in their preparation of the flax, in their beautifully 

 woven mats, in their canoes, which are carved and orna- 

 mented, with great care, and particularly in the aptitude with 

 which they imitate the whites in the use of weapons, tools, 

 or implements. For common purposes, they now use whale- 

 boats instead of canoes ; and have substituted the square sail 

 for the triangular one. They have no outriggers on their 

 craft, and though liable to accidents, they show themselves 

 to be expert seamen in their management of them. Their 

 war canoes are from forty to seventy feet in length, with 

 prows extending up to the height of ten or twelve feet, and 

 adorned with waving tufts of bright-tinted feathers, and richly 

 carved ornamental work. 



Mills have been set up in New Ulster, and there is a great 

 abundance of water power for propelling machinery on all 

 the larger islands. In the opinion of Mr. Terry, when they 



i _ 



