NEW ZEALAND. 383 



them obtained farms, and are now in the successful occupation of them. 

 There is no doubt the hue and cry against the father, that the mis- 

 sion had obtained all the best land from the natives, arose from this 

 cause. Some circumstances were remarked, from which it was 

 evident that the interests of the natives were looked after by the 

 missionaries, who protected their lands and 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 con- 

 sequently, cannot have that control over their behaviour that would be 

 desirable. Many scenes, therefore, take place at the pas or strong- 

 holds, that might be prevented if the missionaries 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 opportunity 

 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 sum- 

 mary 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 



