NEW ZEALAND. 
337 
ineffectual. It is peculiarly gratifying to know 
that the local authorities, and the government at 
home, are desirous to aid, by every suitable means, 
the education, civilization, and moral improvement 
of the aborigines of New South Wales; and, not¬ 
withstanding their present abject condition, and 
all the existing barriers to their improvement, it is 
most confidently to be anticipated, that the period 
will arrive, when this degraded and wretched 
people shall be raised to the enjoyment of all the 
blessings of intelligence, civilization, and Chris¬ 
tianity. 
To the eastward of Port Jackson and Van Die¬ 
men’s Land, and rather more than twenty degrees 
distant from them, the large and important country 
of New Zealand is situated. It was discovered by 
Tasman, a Dutch navigator, in 1642. He sailed 
along the western shore of the southern island, to 
a deep indentation, which he supposed to be a 
bay; where he anchored. To this place, in conse¬ 
quence of an attack from the natives, he gave the 
name of Murderers’ Bay ; and, sailing to the north¬ 
ward, anchored in the bay of the island of the 
Three Kings, and finally left the coast without land¬ 
ing. In 1770 the coasts were explored by Capt. 
Cook, who discovered that the bay which Tasman 
had entered was the opening to a passage, through 
which he sailed, and which bears his name. It 
has since been repeatedly visited by traders, for its 
excellent timber, or by vessels requiring refresh¬ 
ments. 
New Zealand, which forms the southern bound¬ 
ary of Polynesia, comprises two large, and several 
small, islands, extending from 34 to 47 degrees 
south lat. and from 166 to about 180 degrees east 
long. The appearance of the coast is bold and 
hi. z 
