600 



FLAX PLANT — CHAPEL. 



Dec. 



duction, but is now said to be of a quality very inferior to that 

 made with European, or even Chilian, hemp. The principal 

 objection I have heard urged against the New Zealand rope is, 

 that it does not endure frequent bending ; not being sufficiently 

 tenacious if used where its pliability is much tried. In sailor's 

 language, ' it soon goes in the nip."* Perhaps this objection 

 might be removed by a peculiar mode of treating the plant, or 

 by another way of seasoning and preparing the fibres. Very fine 

 mats for clothing are made with these fibres, which, when pro- 

 perly prepared, are of a fine silky texture, extremely durable, 

 and capable of withstanding a great deal of washing and wear. 

 I have one by me which has been in constant use sixteen years, 

 and frequently washed. This being the case with respect to the 

 mats, how does it happen that rope made by white men, of the 

 very same material, has not been found to answer ? Surely, 

 it can only be because the material has not been properly 

 treated by those who are, perhaps, little acquainted with its 

 nature, with the best season for cutting it, and with other 

 peculiarities probably well known to the natives. Do not many 

 of our own handicraftsmen make a mystery of their art, and, 

 in consequence, are not the secrets of most trades hidden to 

 those who have not learned them, and cannot read ? 



An open-sided house, or rather shed, standing apart from 

 the little village, I was told was a chapel, which the natives had 

 lately built of their own accord, and without telling the mis- 

 sionaries of tlieir intention : when it was completed they 

 applied to Mr. Williams for a teacher. 



A very fine-looking native passed us, whose air and manner 

 of carrying his gun reminded me of an Albanian's. Every man 

 now carries a gun or musket, who, a few years since, would 

 have been armed with a war club, or patoopatoo, and a mieri.* 



So accessible is the country between Waimate and the Bay 

 of Islands, that, except across a few small ravines, which require 

 log bridges, a cart might travel easily; though there was at this 

 time no road : water conveyance also is every where at hand, so 



* Or mearee (spear). 



