Hocken. — On Literature in New Zealand. 477 



So far as I am aware, no full account has been given of 

 this interesting piece of history by those who were its makers. 

 It is therefore important that the results of whatever in- 

 formation and research I have gathered from many quarters 

 should be recorded. It was a standing instruction from the 

 Church Missionary (or parent) Society that members of the 

 mission should take every opportunity of extending their 

 knowledge of the language with a special view to translation. 

 This, however, was carried out in an ineffective way, though 

 it is fair to state that so early as 1824 Mr. James Shepherd^ 

 whose special function was to instruct the natives in agri- 

 culture, had compiled a good vocabulary, translated some 

 hymns, and was engaged in translating the Gospels. But after 

 the arrival of the Williams brothers individual efforts such as 

 these were compared and systematized. The members met 

 at stated times and discussed whatever underwent the process 

 of reappearance in the new tongue. This was the germ of 

 the future translation committee. By the middle of 1827 

 there were ready for publication the first three chapters of 

 Genesis, the 1st of St. John, the 20th of Exodus, the first 

 thirty verses of the 5th of St. Matthew, and the Lord's 

 Prayer, and, in addition, seven himene, or hymns, altogether 

 forming a worthy beginning of this country's literature and an 

 admirable selection — the story of creation, the divinity and 

 humanity of Christ, the Ten Commandments, and the Beati- 

 tudes. This precious collection was taken over to New South 

 Wales, or " the colony," as it was invariably called in those 

 days, and printed at Sydney. This third contribution, which 

 is quite as rare as Kendall's " Korao," is a small 8vo of 

 thirty-one pages ; it has no title-page, and 400 copies were 

 printed at a cost of £41, G. F. Eagar, of King Street, being 

 the printer. 



It was in the beginning of the following year — 1828— that 

 another notable clergyman joined the increasing band of 

 labourers. This was the Rev. William Yate, a man of con- 

 siderable intelligence and observation, and the author of an 

 excellent " Account of New Zealand." It is grievous to relate 

 that he also, like one or two of his brethren before him, made 

 sad default, and that, in consequence, his connection with the 

 mission was closed in 1836. Nevertheless, his name must be 

 recorded as one of the early translators. 



Ever remembering that the chief amongst them was the 

 Rev. William Williams, whose education and culture specially 

 fitted him as leader in this work, this is a suitable place to 

 refer to those others who also were contributors. Placed as 

 nearly as possible in the order of their arrival in New Zealand, 

 their names are : John King, one of the earliest lay settlers ; 

 James Kemp, a smith ; James Shepherd, whose duties were 



