1835. NEW ZEALAND. 419 
day, always built on a level piece of ground. They consist of a 
double stockade of thick and tall posts, placed in a zigzag line, 
so that every part can he flanked. Within the stockade a mound 
of earth is thrown up, behind which the defenders can rest in 
safety, or use their fire-arms over it. On the level of the ground 
little archways sometimes pass through this breastwork, by which 
means the defenders can crawl out to the stockade to reconnoitre 
their enemies. The Rev. W. Williatns, who gave me this ac- 
count, added, that in one Pas he had noticed spurs or buttresses 
projecting on the inner and protected side of the mound of earth. 
On asking the chief the use of them, he replied, that if two or 
three of his men were shot, their neighbours would not see the 
bodies, and so be discouraged. 
These Pas are considered by the New Zealanders as very per- 
fect means of defence: for the attacking force is never so well 
disciplined as to rush in a body to the stockade, cut it down, and 
effect their entry. When a tribe goes to war, the chief cannot 
order one party to go here and another there; but every man 
fights in the manner which best pleases himself; and to each 
separate individual to approach a stockade defended by fire-arms 
must appear certain death. I should think a more warlike race 
of inhabitants could not be found in any part of the world than 
the New Zealanders. Their conduct on first seeing a ship, as 
described by Captain Cook, strongly illustrates this: the act of 
throwing volleys of stones at so great and novel an object, and 
their defiance of ‘‘ Come on shore and we will kill and eat you 
all,” shows uncommon boldness. This warlike spirit is evident 
in many of their customs, and even in their smallest actions. If 
a New Zealander is struck, although but in joke, the blow must 
be returned; and of this I saw an instance with one of our 
officers. : 
At the present day,from the progress of civilization,there is much 
- less warfare, except among some of the southern tribes. I heard a 
characteristic anecdote of what took place some time ago in the 
south. A missionary found a chief and his tribe in preparation 
for war ;—their muskets clean and bright, and their ammunition 
ready. He reasoned long on the inutility of the war, and the 
little provocation which had been given for it. The chief was much 
shaken in his resolution, and seemed in doubt: but at length it 
