266 M A U I. 



so, they must themselves be devout members of the church, and first 

 place their children at one of the district schools ; while it depends, 

 after all. upon the selection of the missionaries, whether the boys 

 will be allowed to enter. 



From this school, of late years, have been taken all the native 

 teachers, and most of them are employed on the part of the govern- 

 ment; it therefore becomes desirable to all to have their children 

 educated in it. 



There is another circumstance which prevents and interferes with 

 the proper cultivation of this establishment, namely, the want of 

 water, which the native land-owners refuse to allow the use of for the 

 lower part of the grounds. With a very little trouble and expense 

 this difficulty might be overcome; but there is wanting the inclina- 

 tion, both on the part of the missionaries and government, to effect a 

 change. 



It is easy to point out the defects in an establishment, but much 

 more difficult to suggest a remedy. The difficulty is, perhaps, not 

 easily overcome, but I could offer one or two plans, which appeared 

 to me to be feasible, and calculated to give the natives a turn towards 

 becoming a pastoral as well as an agricultural people. The pupils 

 should be taught the care of cattle and the superintendence of flocks, 

 to which pursuit the greater part of the land of these islands is well 

 adapted. A sufficient inducement might be held out for exertion, 

 by gi'^^ng them a portion of the increase of the flocks, that would 

 recompense them for their care, without increasing the expenses of 

 the society. Above all things, in their manual labour schools the 

 higher branches should not be taught before the pupils are all well 

 grounded in the lower ones ; for instance, I can conceive of nothing 

 more absurd and useless than spending the time of both teachers 

 and scholars in studying Greek, as was proposed. Fortunately for 

 the students, however, they could not proceed for want of books. 

 I would not be understood as throwing any blame on the missiona- 

 ries : there are many errors committed and expenses incurred in 

 conducting a mission, that ought to be looked at with much charity 

 by those who are visiters, as well as by the society at home. Even 

 a slight knowledge of the situation of things will show how difficult 

 it is for the Board of Missions to judge of the expenses incurred in 

 carrying on their operations, and how unwise it is for the managers 

 at home to control their agents, except by some general rules appli- 

 cable to their duties. The employment of persons in whom they 



