Chap. VIII. MR. GEORGE CLARKE, JUNIOR. 195 
that was open to observation, a sulky Maori boy, 
rather than even a White Government officer. 
Those who were parties to his appointment will 
probably state in defence of it, that he was thoroughly 
acquainted with the native language and customs. 
Granting this, I would ask whether it be more fit 
that a Protector of Aborigines should be well 
acquainted with the habits of the ruder race, or 
with those of the more civilized and artificial society 
with whom it was wished to amalgamate them by 
soft degrees ? Whether was an educated gentleman 
more likely to acquire the knowledge of the Maori 
habits and language, or an uneducated and but half- 
civilized son of a gunsmith to attain the acquaintance 
with the habits and restrictions, the refinements and 
perfections, of civilized life, both so necessary to a due 
performance of the office in question ? If it was abso- 
lutely necessary to give the son of the Chief Protector 
a berth, it would have been more becoming and suit- 
able to appoint Mr. Clarke junior as a sworn inter- 
preter to Mr. Halswell or Mr. Thompson. Under 
such guidance, he might perhaps have learned, in the 
course of a few years, to be somewhat capable of 
protecting the aborigines. For at present his only 
qualifications made him rather capable of teaching 
civilized men how to become savages, than of gently 
guiding savages to the difficult goal of civilization. 
The other passengers in the brig were a Surveyor 
attached to the Land Commission, and some custom- 
house officers for Akarua. 
The principal news from the metropolis was, that a 
large public meeting had at length followed the 
example of the Wellington people, by adopting a 
petition for the removal of the Governor. His 
Excellency had taken a convenient trip to Kawia, 
o2 
