a Chief of the Bay of Islands,
New Zealand.
London, Publish'd by Murray, Fleet Street, 1807.
Some Account
of
New Zealand;
Particularly
The Bay of Islands,
And Surrounding Country;
With a Description of
The Religion and Government,
Language, Arts, Manufactures, Manners, and Customs of the Natives, &c. &c.
By John Savage, Esq. Surgeon,
And Corresponding Member of the Royal Jennerian Society,
“ Remote in Southern Seas an Island lies, ”
“ of ample Space, and bless'd with genial Skies ”
" Where shelter'd still by never-fading groves, ”
“ The friendly Native dwells, and fearless roves ”
“ Where the tall Forest, and the Plains around, ”
“ And Waters wide, with various Wealth abound, ”
London:
Printed for J. Murray, Fleet-Street; And A. Constable And Co. Edinburgh;
By W. Wilson, at the Union Printing Office, St. John's Square.
1807.
To
The Right Honourable
Earl Fitzwilliam, &c. &c,
My Lord,
In dedicating the following pages to your Lordship, I am afraid I shall be thought presumptuous. It is very true, my Lord, they are unworthy of so great an honour; but experience of your Lordship’s kind and friendly condescension, leads me to hope they may meet with a reception they could have no pretensions to claim, on the score of merit.
The universal benevolence that so eminently distinguishes your Lordship’s character, and which was so particularly extended to the native of New Zealand I brought to England, in supplying him with an abundant stock of valuable implements–the solicitude expressed for his instruction in the rudiments of the mechanical arts–and the approbation your Lordship was pleased to bestow upon his personal appearance, incline me to flatter myself that the following account of his native country will prove not altogether uninteresting to your Lordship.
I have the honour to be,
My Lord,
Your Lordship's devoted, and
Most obedient Servant,
London, May 3, 1807.
PREFACE.
It will undoubtedly be expected that the author should give his reasons for submitting the following pages to the perusal of the public.
During his stay at New Zealand, he made some observations respecting the country, and its inhabitants, which were committed to paper; he also brought a native of the island to England, who supplied him with much information upon those subjects.
He found that many of the islands of the Pacific Ocean, had been described by successive navigators, but New Zealand, an island, as to extent and population, far superior to any of them, had not been spoken of by a voyager since the time of Captain Cook; and that justly celebrated character had visited parts of New Zealand very remote from those which he has attempted to describe.
These circumstances induced him to arrange his materials for the press.
That part of the work in which he has given directions for sailing into the Bay of Islands, with delineations of head-lands, will, he hopes, be deemed of some importance, as it may be of use to persons whose pursuits lead them to visit this excellent harbour.
The country, the religion and government, the arts, manners, and customs of the inhabitants, are faithfully described, and will, he flatters himself, prove interesting to the curious and intelligent reader.
Contents.
Approach to the Coast of New Zealand—Entrance to the Bay of Islands—Caution to be observed in entering—Anchorage—The Natives—Appearances observable from the Ship—Supply of Refreshment |
1 |
Particular Description of the Bay of Islands—Caution respecting the Natives—Country in the immediate Vicinity—Natural Productions |
5 |
Town of Tippoonah—Residence of a Chieftain—Confinement of Tippeehee's Daughter for Disobedience—Dwellings of the Natives |
12 |
Personal Appearance of the Natives—Their Aversion from Spirits—Longevity—Native Women |
16 |
Classes among the Natives—Religion—Their Adoration of the Sun and Moon—A New Zealand Deity—Cleanliness—Place of Sepulture |
20 |
Government—Chiefs of the Interior—Chiefs of the Coast—Power of the Chief—Consultation with Elders—Civil Power—Punishment in criminal Cases—Tiarrah |
26 |
Character of the Natives—How far they are Cannibals—Their affectionate Disposition—Upsetting of a Canoe—Moyhanger's Determination to visit Europe—Parting with his Kindred—Meeting of Friends—Mode of Salutation |
34 |
Polygamy—Children—Mode of carrying the Children—Tattooing—Cloathing of the Natives—their Dress and Ornaments |
44 |
Cultivation of Potatoes—Excellent Quality of this Root—Beneficial to the Health of a Ship's Company—The Tricks of the Natives in dealing for this Article—Modes of catching Fish—Cookery—Construction of their Canoes |
54 |
War—Warlike Instruments—Enmity between two Tribes—Manufacture of their Mats and Tools |
64 |
Language—Vocabulary—Numerals |
72 |
Music, vocal and instrumental—Musical Instruments—Dancing |
80 |
| 86 |
| 92 |
Account of Moyhanger, the Native of New Zealand |
94 |
Errata.
Page 23, line 20, for “ever,” read “even.”
72, —— 4, — “came,” —— “come.”
Directions to the Binder for placing the Plates.
Portrait of Tiarra, to face Title.
Appearance of the North Cape of New Zealand, &c. to face Page |
2 |
The New Zealand Deity, to face Page |
21 |
This work was published before January 1, 1929, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
Public domainPublic domainfalsefalse