310 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. XII, 
fore only fit for the state of agriculture then existing 
among the natives, or for pasture when they should 
have become instructed in our improved methods. 
But from the first arrival of Lieutenant Shortland 
might be dated a change in the temper of this child 
of nature ; the more to be regretted because it might 
have been so gently guided into noble and energetic 
paths under a fostering system. His proud spirit 
soon rebelled under the marked contempt of the 
Kawana for those who had been the chiefs when 
the first White people came. He observed that minor 
chiefs, of no importance formerly, were made much of, 
and considered as the leaders of the natives, because 
they seemed inclined to be dissatisfied with the White 
population. And though the original settlers still 
treated him as the chief, and paid him the same atten- 
tion and deference as before, he soon discerned that 
the Whites who had real authority took every means of 
degrading him below his former inferiors. And he 
found that the promises about the value of the Re- 
serves were not made good. He observed that neither 
were the nativ^es located upon them under any system, 
nor was any other good effect produced by their in- 
come on his sinking condition among his people. And 
when the Governor confirmed the degradation by giving 
the subordinate chiefs presents to be distributed among 
those who had been their artki, or superiors, the final 
blow seemed to have been given. It was this feeling 
of bitterness at being degraded that led PVarepori to 
refuse to give up his village at Nga Hauranga ; to 
attempt to rouse the natives to revenge the death of the 
man whose body had been found ; and to be snappish 
and reproachful in his behaviour towards his best 
friends among the White people, even while they tried 
to do him honour and console him against the galling 
