ISA ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. ir. 
population, including the chief, being nearly related to 
E Kuru and Rangi Tauwira, received me very kindly. 
They were all among those who, having assisted at the 
bargain, have never attempted to secede from its ful- 
filment. They sincerely condoled with me on the 
dishonesty of the other natives. "In the old times," 
said E Kai, " we should have fought to maintain you 
♦' in possession of the land, against those who fairly 
" sold, and have since repented and told lies ; but now 
" we are missionaries, and we can only be sorry." 
I was much struck with the severe discipline which 
this curious specimen of a warlike and influential chief, 
turned into a stern religious pastor, maintained over 
his people, who may have amounted to 200 of all sexes 
and ages. The houses and the pa were cleanly and 
well kept. Almost perfect silence prevailed during the 
whole day. Everything was done apparently by some 
rule. The ovens were made up, the firewood cut, the 
court-yard swept out, as though by clockwork; and 
none of that noisy and merry chatter was ever heard, 
which generally distinguishes the Maori village. £ach 
week-day was kept with the solemnity of Sunday ; and 
jokes, songs, dances, or romping, were entirely banished. 
The very children seemed prematurely grown into 
little old men and women. While I was greeting the 
chief and his family, the rest of the community sat at a 
distance. None of the usual crowding round, and if 
it were not for its hilarity, almost intrusive rushing to 
shake hands ; no shouts ; not even a smile. 
In the midst of this remarkable stillness, one among 
the mutes, could refrain no longer, and laughed outright 
at some cheerful observation which I made to the chief. 
" Who laughed?" shouted E Kai, in his deepest 
tones. 
No answer, — long faces, — and repressed tittering 
