There is a British Resident now in the Island'; suppose he had Power given him to apprehend Criminals, and a sufficient Force to support his Authority, do you think that would diminish those Offences?
- That would answer a good Purpose as it respects the Bay of Islands, but there is so large a District of Country, he could not know what was going on in Cloudy Bay or Rangitoto or other Places.
Suppose he had Two or Three small Vessels, which might go from Port to Port, to apprehend and arrest Criminals, and bring them to Trial?
- I think then it might be done.
The Witness is directed to withdraw.
Charles Enderby Esquire is called in, and examined as follows:
You are of the Firm of Charles, Henry, and George Enderby?
- I am.
Your House has been for many Years concerned in the South Whale Fishery ?
- It has; my Father established the Fishery in this Country in the Year 1775, having previously carried it on through our Agents in the United States.
Have you many Ships in your Trade?
- We have not so many as we had; we still have a good many.
Have you been accustomed to have a good deal of Communication with New Zealand?
- A good deal from the Year 1794.
Was that the first Time that Whaling Ships visited New Zealand?
- I think that was the first Time that they visited New Zealand.
Do they carry on the Fishing on the Coasts of New Zealand?
- They do.
Do they go there at all for the Purpose of obtaining Supplies of any kind?
- Refreshments, and occasionally a Supply of Stores; Timber for Masts, or any thing of that Kind.
Spars?
- Yes.
The Timber that grows there is good for Spars?
- Very good; we have seen some remarkably good.
Have you ever mixed any New Zealanders with the Crews of those Ships?
- We have; and have some at the present Time.
What is the Character your Captains give of them?
- Generally steady good Seamen.
What do you consider the average Duration of a Voyage from hence to New Zealand and back; how long would it take to get a Communication?
- About Four Months out and Four Months home.
Do they usually return by the same Course they go out?
- The Trading Vessels generally return by Cape Horn.
What Sort of Characters do the Captains report of the New Zealanders as to their general Conduct and Behaviour?
- We find the New Zealanders in our Service behave much better than the British Seamen; we have invariably found them well-behaved good Seamen. I am sorry I cannot say the same of the British in all Cases.
Have any Persons in your Establishment become Settlers in New Zealand?
- Not One.
What are the Productions of the Island, so far as you are acquainted with them?
- Timber and New Zealand Flax.' The Fishery may be carried on there; I do not know whether that can be called a Production of New Zealand.
