370 NEW-ZEALAND. [1830. 



tends round to the west and south-west, forming what is called the Bay 

 of Plenty, at the head of which there are several small islands, with 

 good anchorage within them, where many natives may be found, and 

 refreshments procured, such as hogs and potatoes, at a very low rate, 

 by paying in barter. 



To the north of this bay is Mercury Bay, fronted by numerous 

 small islets, behind which there are many spacious harbours, and an 

 abundance of natives. But it is necessary to be careful at this bay, as 

 well as at the Bay of Plenty, that many of them do not come on 

 board, as they often prove treacherous to strangers; and if they do 

 not attempt to take your vessel, they will steal every thing which they 

 can lay their hands on. To the north of this is the river Thames, 

 having many fine harbours near its head, where the natives are quite 

 numerous, and often hostile. This is a fine place, however, for ships 

 to obtain refreshments, such as hogs, goats, and vegetables, in abun- 

 dance. The island here is quite narrow, and no part of it north of 

 this is more than thirty miles in breadth. 



Not long previous to our arrival, the natives had risen on the mis- 

 sion, which had been established here but a short time, and it was 

 with great difficulty that these disinterested labourers in the cause of 

 humanity escaped with their lives. They succeeded, however, in 

 reaching the Bay of Islands, where they found protection. Such are 

 the perils and hardships which these good people voluntarily encounter 

 and endure, in their godlike attempts to civilize and humanize the 

 savage islanders of the Pacific Ocean ; and yet their services have been 

 decried, and even their motives questioned, by those who cannot con- 

 ceive of such a thing as disinterested benevolence. But New-Zealand 

 itself is a splendid proof of the utility of missionary labours. There 

 are many parts of this island which it was once dangerous for a ship 

 to approach, unless she was well armed, with officers and crew con- 

 tinually on their guard. But, thanks to the missionaries, and the 

 blessing of Heaven which has attended their pious and humane exer- 

 tions, ships may now anchor in safety in many of those very harbours 

 where the greatest danger was once to be apprehended, and obtain sup- 

 plies at the most reasonable rate, with many testimonies of kindness 

 and hospitality. 



January 20th. — From this place we steered for the Bay of Islands, 

 where the English settlement is fixed, with a south-east wind ; and on 

 "Wednesday, the 20th, at 6, P. M., we passed Cape Brett, the eastern 

 point of the bay, which lies in lat. 35° 8', south long. 174° 17 ; east. 

 In going into this bay with a southerly wind, the north shore should 

 be kept best on board, until you come up with Point Kippy-kippy. 

 You will then haul close round this point, and steer into the south-east 

 for a short distance ; when you may anchor abreast of the village, in 

 from six to four fathoms of water, muddy bottom, about one-third of a 

 mile from the shore that fronts the town. This bay opens to the 

 north-east, and, as it name imports, has several islands near it. We 

 came to anchor at this place at 1, A. M., in four fathoms of water, 

 mud and clay bottom. 



January 21st. — On the opening of the morning, Thursday, the 



