The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Rare Volume
(1.) Services in the earlier periods of European inter course with New Zealand, and at the time of its colonization
(1.) Services in the earlier periods of European inter course with New Zealand, and at the time of its colonization.
New Zealand became known to Europe about the middle of the seventeenth century; and the first representation given to the world of its inhabitants was that they were "a bloodthirsty race who had commenced hostilities with their western visitors without provocation."* Even Cook suspected them of evil, and some untoward collisions took place between the natives and the ships of his expedition, in spite of his steady discipline and friendly policy.† A few years later, the island had acquired a character which made them the very bye-word of abhorrence in the civilized world.
* Thomson's Story of New Zealand, vol i., p. 229.
† Ib. p. 231, 232.
‡ Ib. p. 241.
The South Sea whale fishery, the excellence of New Zealand flax, and the establishment of penal and other settlements in the neighbouring seas, gradually led to further intercourse between our commercial navy and New Zealand. New Zealand chiefs found their way, not only on board our ships, but to Sydney and even to England. But this growing confidence was checked by lamentable instances of disgraceful cruelty and breach of faith on the part of our misguided navigators; till in 1809 the illtreatment of Tarra, the son of a Wangawa chief, issued in the well-known massacre of the Boyd; the captain, crew, and passengers of which, were, with four exceptions, treacherously murdered and eaten, and soon after as remorselessly avenged. The natives were denominated "the enemies of mankind";† and so great was the estrangement between the two races that "every vessel approaching the coast had boarding nets, and during the three years ending 1817, one hundred New Zealanders were slain by Europeans in the immediate vicinity of the Bay of Islands."‡
* Ib. p. 241.
† Ib. p. 252.
‡ Ib. p. 253.
The influence gained by the Missionaries may be traced in the records of the Missionary Societies which have laboured in the island, in Mr. Marsden's interesting memoirs, and in Miss Tucker's beautifully delineated "Southern Cross."* It is sufficient here to adduce, in proof of it, the thankful recognition of it by those who have since realized the substantial benefits thus secured to them.
"Whatever difference of opinion may be entertained as to the value and extent of the labours of the Missionary body, there can be no doubt that they have rendered important services to this country, or that, but for them, a British colony would not at this moment be established in New Zealand."†
"Whatever difference of opinion may be entertained by the settlers of the extent of Missionary influence among the natives, all are now agreed that the Missionaries have rendered important services to both races, and that but for their labours, a British colony would not at this moment have been established in the country."‡
* Life of Marsden, by the Rev. J. B. Marsden. The Southern Cross and Southern Crown, by Miss Tucker.
† Purl. Papers, Aug., 1812, p. 199.
‡ Swainwon's New Zealand, p. 93.
"The period having arrived for proclaiming the sovereign authority of Her Majesty over these islands, it accords no less with my public duty than it gratifies my personal feelings, to acknowledge in the most ample manner the efficient and valuable support which I have received from the resident members of the Church Missionary Society, in carrying into effect with the native Chiefs the views and objects of Her Majesty's Government.
"As the official organ of that body, I beg you will accept and convey to every member of the Mission in New Zealand my cordial and hearty thanks for the very zealous and effective assistance which they have rendered me in the execution of this duty.
"The station which I have the honour to fill may justify my recording in this public manner, my thankful sense of the personal attention which I have received from the gentlemen of the Mission, &c."‡
Captain Hobson further manifested his confidence in the Missionaries and the high sense he entertained of their qualifications for regulating the intercourse between the natives and the colonists, by appointing Mr. George Clarke, for sixteen years a catechist in the Mission, to the important office of "Protector of the Aborigines."‡
* Pari. Papers, Apr. 1840, p. 68. Thomson, vol. ii. p. 11.
† Taylor's New Zealand, p. 210.
‡ Report of the Church Missionary Society for 1840-1, p. 95.