618 I'INE-FORKSTS. Dec. 



some tribes who were inclined to part hastily with extensive 

 tracts of valuable pine forests. The real value of those trees 

 was explained to the natives; and they were shown distinctly 

 how a careful management of such stores of spars would ensure 

 a future property, and sufficient maintenance for the native 

 children who would otherwise be deprived of their birthright. 

 Did this show a desire to monopolize ? 



But I must hasten to a conclusion of the subject. When 

 authorized agents of European or American governments 

 assume active functions in New Zealand (where at present they 

 are little more than cyphers), I hope they will have the good 

 sense to ask for advice from the missionaries ; who, no doubt, 

 willdulyreraember, that, however they mayhave been called upon 

 to act during emergencies, the duties of their office are, or ought 

 to be, separated as much as possible from affairs of a secular 

 nature. Neither in politics, nor in any kind of hostilities or 

 dissensions, ought they to take a part, excepting as peace- 

 makers, if an officer or authorized executive agent of govern- 

 ment is within their reach. 



Among many omissions which I am obliged to make in the subsequent 

 chapter, are the following: — On the 7th of January, while more than 

 two hundred miles from any known land, we saw a boatswain-bird and 

 two white tern. To those who are interested about the distances to 

 which birds fly from land, this remark may be worth notice : as some 

 persons say that tern never fly far. 



Mr.Chafl^ers obtained the jaw of a huge blue shark, at Hobart Town, 

 which had been killed by the boat's crew of Mr. James Kelly's whaling 

 vessel. The extreme length of the monster was thirty-seven feet. Its 

 iaw is now in the United Service Museum. 



About Van Diemen's Land, the barometer ranged higher than I had 

 witnessed in the southern hemisphere. 



