614 



SETTLEMENTS — Tit AD E. 



Dec 



middle island of New Zealand, settlements supposed to be 

 formed by some two or three hundred abandoned characters, 

 European, Australian, and American. These outcasts, of 

 whom a proportion are convicts, have established a sort of 

 system amongst themselves, in order to regulate their inter- 

 course with the natives. I was told that they were living 

 with native women, and, at that time, cultivated the soil; 

 but, what will be the consequence of such a colony, if left 

 to their own devices in that distant corner of the world ? 

 Yet, again, where could outcasts, whose state of exile (if they 

 may be supposed to have good feelings) would be as insup- 

 portable to themselves as pitiable in the minds of others — 

 where could such unhappy wretches be placed more appro- 

 priately than at the Antipodes ? They should, however, be fre- 

 quently watched, to check any approach to piratical prepa- 

 rations, as well as to give timely notice of such an intention. 



Settlements of a different character are elsewhere forming, 

 and the establishments of individuals are increasing in North 

 New Zealand, at Otaheite, and in the Sandwich Islands. Be- 

 tween these establishments, small vessels are always in motion : 

 and not trifling is the trade in oil (cocoa-nut oil), arrow-root, and 

 sugar, between Otaheite and Sydney : in flax, spars, potatoes, 

 and whale-oil, between New Zealand and Sydney; in sandal- 

 wood, bicho-do-mar, nut-oil, pearl-oyster-shells, and curiosities 

 (such as native arms, implements, and clothing) between other 

 islands, and Australia, Tasmania,* the East-Indies, China, and 

 South America. 



Thus surrounded by those who are engaged in a commerce 

 annually increasing ; unavoidably involved in local dissensions ; 

 referred to on all occasions as interpreters or as yjeace-makers ; 

 and I may say, as the consular agents of white men of all 

 nations ;f it argues very favourably for the missionaries that 

 they have as yet upheld the character of their sacred office, 

 though sneered at by nominal friends, censured by enemies, 

 and always struggling against opposition. I have said that 

 at the Sandwich Islands there is a consul ; on those islands 

 * Van Diemen's Laud. f At Otaheite and Owyhee excepted. 



