406 NEW ZEALAND. 



induced them not to sell to the emigrants, who would otherwise have 

 found them only too ready to part with them. 



It is true that the situation of these missionaries of the Church of 

 England is different from that of any we had heretofore seen, and 

 equally so that they do not appear to have succeeded as well in 

 making proselytes as those in the other Polynesian islands ; but I 

 am persuaded that they have done and are still endeavouring to do 

 much good. They are, however, separated, as it were, from their 

 flocks, and, consequently, cannot have that control over their beha- 

 viour that would be desirable. Many scenes, therefore, take place 

 at the pas or strongholds, that might be prevented if the mission- 

 aries mingled more with their converts. 



Mr. Williams was kind enough to have divine service at the house 

 where our naturalists stayed, — Mr. Tibbey's. I was not a little 

 surprised when I heard that Mr. Williams had refused any oppor- 

 tunity to our philologist to inspect a grammar of the New Zealand 

 language, that was then going through the press. I mention the 

 circumstance as remarkable, from being the only instance of the kind 

 that occurred to us during the cruise ; and it cannot be easily imagined 

 what could have been the cause of his refusal, for a very short period 

 after our departure it would be published, and there could have been 

 no fear of his being forestalled by us. 



Among the natives the taboo is yet law, though endeavours are 

 making to introduce other laws among them. It was told me, on 

 good authority, that there had been a trial for murder by a jury of 

 chiefs at or near Hokianga, under the direction of a white man, but 

 there was great reason to believe that the person did not receive that 

 impartial justice which a duly organized court would have assured 

 him. The evidence was said to have been deficient, but the current 

 belief being against him, he was notwithstanding shot. 



The natives, we were told, were not a little surprised at the 

 summary way in which justice, or rather punishment, is dealt out by 

 the magistrate of Kororarika. 



Their taboo laws are very strict, and carefully observed, even 

 among those who are considered Christians. The chief, Tomati, 

 refused to enter the house of a person whom he took Mr. Hale to 

 visit ; for if he had entered, it would have become tabooed ; and the 

 native law, which does not permit any man to enter a house in which 

 a chief has resided, even temporarily, would have compelled him to 



