MALAY RACE. 



New Zealanders, dancing. 



" The New Zealanders have always borne a warlike character ; and I was, therefore, much surprised at tr 

 inefficiency of their weapons. Besides the stone mace, their principal one is a straight, sword-like clul 

 which is wielded with both hands. This is a remarkable change fiom the weapons of the Tropical Pob 

 nesians ; for the javelin appears to be unknown, likewise the bow, and according to Mr. Hale, the slinj 

 Their wars, indeed, do not appear to have ever been very bloody ; and, notwithstanding the eagernes 

 manifested in seeking possession of muskets, these had been used for the most pp"t, at extravagant di 

 lances. The Bay of Islands, two years previously, had been the seat of war. Persons from distai 

 clans were attracted to the spot, and the parties on their arrival would divide to the right and left, brother 

 and other members of the same family, often taking opposite sides. On the restoration of peace, Pomare 

 tribe having killed many of the Kororarika people, gave their opponents a tract of land by way c 

 compensation. 



" The soil was said to be held by the chiefs, although the consent of each member of the tribe was nece 

 sary to a sale. It appears that in the alleged sales to Europeans, the natives have not understood th: 

 they were alienating their lands absolutely ; nor, if I am rightly informed, would the European view c 

 such transactions be admitted among other Polynesians. 



" Tattooing is incised, and is a much more painful operation than in the rest of Polynesia. The quantit 

 of marking about the face seemed to be very much in proportion to the rank of the individual ; each chie 

 however, having some variation in the pattern. It was said that in signing a document the chiefs trac 

 this pattern on the paper, such a signature being readily recognised by all the natives who have ever see 

 the individual. This was the nearest approach to writing that I found among the Polynesians, and tr 

 practice appeared to be quite unknown elsewhere." — Dr. Pickering. 



The New Zealand manufactures show skill at least equalling that of their Tropical brethren 



