Has Christianity advanced to any very great Extent in the Neighbourhood of the Missionary Establishments?
- It has advanced to a very considerable Extent, I understand, since I left that Island; but the Christian Doctrine is not perhaps sufficiently understood among The Natives. The Missionaries have much Influence among the Natives, as teaching them the various Arts — Carpentry and Blacksmithery, and so on. I think the Natives esteem the Missionaries as much for their moral Character as their mechanical Knowledge.
Do you find that where the Influence of the Missionaries has been great there has been a Decrease in their mutual Wars, and their Manners have been softened?
- Yes. The Chiefs who have embraced the Christian Doctrine, I believe I may venture to say positively, do not go to War.
Do you know how many Vessels have touched in the course of a Year?
- I do not; but I have seen the Amount in Mr. Busby's Account, I believe there were upwards of 100; but at one Time there were Thirty or more.
What is the Species of Tree they have?
- It is a Species of the Pine Kind.
Those Forests are a good deal in the Hands of British Subjects, are they not?
- Some of them are. Those I have seen are in the Hands of the Natives, except Hukianga; a great many of those are in the Hands of British Subjects.
You have spoken of the general Immorality of the Settlers; besides that, is not open Violence frequent, such as Theft, Robbery, and so on?
- Yes.
Has that been directed against the Settlers themselves and against the Zealanders?
- Yes. Mr. Mayor was in the habit of having his Stores broken open by the runaway Sailors; and he had a Band of Natives to protect his Stores, who kept watch for him.
Do you consider that that State of Things has been a considerable Hindrance to the Progress of the Christian Religion among the Natives?
- Nothing can be of more considerable Hindrance to the Progress of Religion among the Natives than that they throw every Obstacle they can in the Way of the Spread of Christian Doctrines, by all Sorts of Falsehood and Calumny.
Do you conceive that a New Zealander, in selling his Land, is enabled to make a fair Bargain with an European, considering the existing Circumstances of the Island?
- Yes.
Do you think he is as competent to deal with an European as another European would be?
- Yes, quite so; they examine very minutely into the Case, and if they can take any possible Advantage in selling their Land they will do it.
You say that every Relative of the Chief must be satisfied with the Purchase before the Purchase can be completed?
- Yes; they must all be satisfied, and every one who has a Claim must have some Part of the Payment.
How does he testify his Satisfaction?
- He generally says, “Very good,” in his own Language.
There is a Meeting at which they express their Assent?
- Yes; the Chief calls a general Meeting of all who have Claims upon the Land, to receive the Money, and distributes the Payment among them.
All the Missionary Establishments are in the North Island, are they not?
- They are.
Have you been on the South Island?
- I have not. The Missionaries themselves, I believe, have not been much upon the South Island; it is very little known, I believe.
