Chap. XH. THE REV. OCTAVIUS HADFIELD. 287 
But, to return to my story : I now began to act as 
" Flax-agitator," using the influence which I had 
acquired among the natives to induce them to resume 
their scraping operations. I commenced at Otahi, 
where the grounds growing korari are very extensive, 
and where the large population promised a good supply 
of the article. In the course of my endeavours, I was 
constantly to and fro between Otaki and Wellington 
for some months, and soon learned to know, as they say, 
every inch of the road, and almost every inhabitant. 
These trips procured me the advantage of an intimate 
acquaintance with the Rev. Octavius Hadfield ; and I 
had the good fortune to add to this valued pleasure 
the satisfaction of securing his earnest co-operation in 
the introduction of the new trade. It was at this 
time that I learned more fully to appreciate the ex- 
cellent qualities of this genuine missionary of the 
Gospel. He was a perfect enthusiast in his vocation. 
A highly educated gentleman, gifted with an extra- 
ordinary share of talents, and the most delicate and 
honourable feelings ; mild and forbearing, persuasive 
and unassuming in his manners ; of distinguished 
address and personal appearance ; possessed of very 
extended information on most general subjects : en- 
dowed, in short, with all the necessary qualifications 
for being known and admired in the highest circles of 
the old world, or for enjoying the luxuries and comforts 
which attend upon the most self-denying pursuits in a 
highly civilized society, he had nevertheless devoted 
his every thought and energy to the reclamation and 
amelioration of savages, who were but little advanced 
from their most warlike and ignorant state when he 
arrived amongst them. 
No selfish views were seen to mingle with his 
duties. No one could say of hira, as of most mis- 
