190 ADVANTAGEOUS PURCHASE OF LAND 
to their temporal comforts. The natives of New 
Zealand had refused, for nearly fifteen years, to 
allow any one to reside near the villages in the 
interior; and had always rejected the overtures 
wliich had been made to them for the further- 
ance of the Gospel, in the vicinity in which they 
tliemselves resided. A few years ago, however, a 
general change was manifest in the opinions of 
some of the leading men, on this important sub- 
ject: our oSers having been so frequently re- 
jected, we had nothing more to say ; but rested, 
apparently content, with the Stations which we 
occupied. Now the scale began to turn ; and the 
most pressing invitations were given, where, but a 
short time before, no terms of negociation would 
have been listened to. Experience has taught the 
New Zealanders, that the Missionaries sought, not 
tlieirs, but them ; that their objects were, to add 
to their temporal comforts, and to endeavour to 
ensure their eternal welfare. Having been urged 
by the natives to take up our abode more in their 
immediate neighbourhood, the Local Committee, 
with the advice and assistance of Mr. Marsden, 
wiio happened at that time to be paying us a visit, 
resolved to select a site at the Waimate, which 
should possess these two advantages; namely, 
suitableness for a Missionary Station, from its 
near connexion with great numbers of natives ; 
and a sufficiency of good land, for the purpose of 
agriculture, with a view to supply the whole Mis- 
sion with flour and other produce. A fine spot 
