CHAP. IX.] FOR THE NATIVES? 157 



be given, the foundation-stone of a native village 

 laid, around which the rest of the tribe will as- 

 semble, and under proper guidance will improve the 

 roads and the agricultural capabilities of the sur- 

 rounding country. It is very obvious that the 

 colony at large would greatly gain by such an ar- 

 rangement. 



It might be objected that the missionary-house 

 and church already form this central point of attrac- 

 tion ; but these settlements in only a few cases are 

 situated in places where the natives generally 

 assemble and cultivate the land. Where they have 

 been established in the midst of a native agricul- 

 tural district, as for instance in Kaitaia, the im- 

 provement of the surrounding country and of the 

 natives themselves strikes the observer at once. 



VIII. The relations of the several tribes to each 

 other should also occupy the attention of the com- 

 missioner. There are still some old differences 

 between tribes, and several battles took place during 

 my stay in New Zealand. It must, however, be 

 observed, that a great number of the inhabitants of 

 the islands are now Christians, and that the first 

 result of this has been to abolish aggressory wars. 

 In such a case the only steps which the commis- 

 sioners could take would be to go immediately 

 amongst the contending parties and dissuade them 

 from hostile proceedings ; td prevent these skirmishes 

 by force would not always be in the power of go- 

 vernment, even if it were advisable to do so. 



