402 



NEW ZEALAND. 



his public duties from his private acts. At the same time he buys 

 large tracts of land, for a few trifles, and expects to have his titles 

 confirmed as Consul of the United States. This is not surprising, 

 and any foreigner would undoubtedly have pursued the same course ; 

 for his personal interest was very great in having the British autho- 

 rity established, while the influence he had over the chiefs w T as too 

 great not to attract the attention of the Governor, and make it an 

 object to secure his good-will and services. 



The prospects of these islanders are, in my opinion, any thing but 

 pleasing, and the change by no means calculated to insure their 

 happiness, or promote their welfare. It seems to have been brought 

 about, by a rage for speculation, and a desire to take possession of this 

 country, in order to secure it from the French. The idea that it was 

 necessary to extend the laws of New South Wales over the island, in 

 order to protect the natives, and break up the nest of rogues that had 

 taken refuge there, is far from being true. No such necessity 

 existed, for there was no difficulty in having any one apprehended 

 by sending officers for the purpose, or offering a reward. 



The New Zealand Land Company have been the secret spring of 

 this transaction, and under the shelter of certain influential names, 

 the managers have contrived to blind the English public. It will 

 scarcely be believed that the New Zealand Land Company had 

 disposed of several thousand shares of land before they purchased 

 an acre. Some three or four thousand emigrants who had purchased 

 allotments, left England on their way to take possession of them, just 

 after the agent. Upon their arrival they could obtain no satisfactory 

 information respecting their allotments, and were left in a destitute 

 condition, to spend the few earnings they had left, and to endure all 

 the privations to which people landed in a new country are subject. 



E ven of those allotments that have been given out, many are not 

 susceptible of cultivation. It is scarcely to be believed that the high 

 names which stand at the head of this Company could have been 

 informed of the true state of things ; yet it is generally supposed in 

 this part of the world, that it is by their exertions and influence that 

 the British government has been induced to take forcible possession 

 of the territory of an independent state, which New Zealand undoubt- 

 edly was. However this may be, the speculators have succeeded in 

 their object, and the country will now be retained by England even 

 if a military power should be necessary. Should the New Zealanders 

 resist, and they are a warlike race, yet acting against European dis- 



