618 



I'lNE-FORESTS. 



some tribes who were inclined to part hastily with extensive 

 tracts of valuable pine forests. The real value of those trees 

 was explained to the natives ; and they were shown distinctly 

 how a careful management of such stores of spars would ensure 

 a future property, and sufficient maintenance for the native 

 children who would otherwise be deprived of their birthright. 

 Did this show a desire to monopolize ? 



But I must hasten to a conclusion of the subject. When 

 authorized agents of European or American governments 

 assume active functions in New Zealand (where at present they 

 are little more than cyphers), I hope they will have the good 

 sense to ask for advice from the missionaries ; who, no doubt, 

 will duly remember, that, however they may have been called upon 

 to act during emergencies, the duties of their office are, or ought 

 to be, separated as much as possible from affairs of a secular 

 nature. Neither in politics, nor in any kind of hostilities or 

 dissensions, ought they to take a part, excepting as peace- 

 makers, if an officer or authorized executive agent of govern- 

 ment is within their reach. 



Among many omissions which I am obliged to make in the subsequent 

 chapter, are the following On the 7th of January, while more than 

 two hundred miles from any known land, we saw a boatswain-bird and 

 two white tern. To those who are interested about the distances to 

 which birds fly from land, this remark may be worth notice : as some 

 persons say that tern never fly far. 



Mr. Chafl:ers obtained the jaw of a huge blue shark, at Hobart Town, 

 which had been killed by the boat's crew of Mr. James Kelly's whaling 

 vessel. The extreme length of the monster was thirty-seven feet. Its 

 jaw is now in the United Service Museum. 



About Van Diem en's Land, the barometer ranged higher than I had 

 witnessed in the southern hemisphere. 



