A British Colony in New Zealand

was then about to be commenced, and that so-called savage country was much praised for its fine climate and other advantages, Mr Elliot, my fellow-passenger, proposed that I should go there, and take up some land for both of us, and at the same time gave me a letter to Captain Hobson, R.N., the newly appointed Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, with whom he was on intimate terms when that page 29 officer was on the Indian station. I soon found a ship preparing to sail for the new colony, and took passage in her for the Bay of Islands. Amongst other passengers on board that vessel an Australian gentleman had em-barked, taking with him a large number of fine sheep and cattle; but falling sick he was unable to look after them, and I volunteered to take his place. It was hard work, for the men in charge were not up to their duties, but it was profitable as well as pleasing to myself to aid in preventing the loss of fine stock as well as money to the proprietor, who was very grateful for my services, and paid me the cost of my passage. On arriving at the Bay of Islands the captain kindly invited me to live on board while the ship remained in the harbour, for hotel quarters on shore were not then very attractive, and I was very glad to accept his friendly offer. We visited together most parts of the great bay, and before the ship sailed I had made the acquaintance of the medical missionary, Dr Ford, of the Church of England Mission Establishment, situated in a part of the bay at some distance from the place where European storekeepers and drink-sellers had set up their abode, and I thankfully accepted the good doctor's kind invitation to lodge at his house, where I passed some time enjoying the quiet of the beautiful settlement called "Pahia," and the interesting society of the missionaries and their families, the good Archdeacon Henry Williams page 30 being at the head of that little band. Lieutenant-Governor Hobson and several officers had found temporary quarters in the same pleasant locality. His Excellency received me kindly when I called to present my letter of introduction, and soon after was so good as to take me with him in the Revenue cutter Ranger to visit other parts of the island reported to be most suitable for the formation of the seat of Government, and at the same time to meet some of the native chiefs, and get them to sign the treaty of Waitangi, the treaty of ceding their authority made by the principal chiefs to the Queen of Great Britain, but retaining their rights of proprietorship in the soil and an agreement to sell their lands only to the Government. This treaty is called the "Treaty of Waitangi," because it was first signed by the chiefs of the north on a piece of land belonging to Mr Busby, who was previously British Consul, near to a great waterfall called in the native language the "Weeping Water" or "Waitangi."