1 8 Dendv, J lie Chatham Is/a /ids. 



It appears from their language, customs and traditions, 

 as well as from their physical characteristics, that the 

 Morioris are closely related to the New Zealand Maoris, 

 from whom, indeed, none but an expert could distinguish 

 them, though Mr. Shand considers that they are, if 

 anything, a shade darker and perhaps even more of a 

 Jewish cast. Their ignorance of the art of tattooing, and 

 their very inferior artistic faculties in general, however, 

 point to a very remote separation of the two races. 



Like the Maoris they trace their origin to an unknown 

 fatherland called Hawaiki, from which they must have 

 emigrated to Chatham Island in canoes. In their new 

 home they appear to have found the conditions of life 

 remarkably easy, indeed, as the sequel shews, fatally so. 

 With an abundant natural food supply of fruit, fish, &c., 

 and with no enemies to contend with, they multiplied 

 until the islands were thickly populated, while at the 

 same time they probably became lazy and effeminate. 



The discovery of the island, which they themselves 

 called Rekohu, by the brig "Chatham " in 1790, may be 

 said to have sealed the fate of the unfortunate Moriori^ 

 though it is doubtful whether any serious injury ensued 

 until the advent of the whaling and sealing vessels in 

 1828. These vessels took many undesirable visitors to 

 the island, and probably introduced a disease which soon 

 played havoc with the native race. On board some of the 

 ships were Maoris from New Zealand, who on their return 

 painted such a glowing picture of the land of plenty, that 

 a large number of their fellow-countrymen determined to 

 emigrate to Chatham Island, or as they called it, Whare- 

 kauri, en Diasse. 



In order to effect this purpose they took possession of 

 the brig "Rodney" at Port Nicholson, in New Zealand, 

 about the beginning of November, 1835. They are said to 



