ertions, not a thing was taken from the wreck
by the savages who had collected for that
purpose.
This anecdote proves that King George
and his people possessed feelings of honour
and generosity, which, if properly cultivated,
might lead to the most happy results. From
the length of time these people have been
known to the Europeans, it might naturally
be expected that great changes would have
taken place in their habits, manners, arts, and
manufactures ; but this is not the case. Their
huts are of the same diminutive proportions
as described by Captain Cook ; their clothing
and mats, their canoes and paddles, are precisely
the same as when that navigator described
them. . When they can obtain English
tools, they use them in preference to their
own ; still their work is not better done. The
only material change that has taken place is in
their mode of warfare.
The moment the New Zealanders became
acquainted with the nature of fire-arms, their
minds were directed but to one point; namely,
to become possessed of them. After many
ingenious and treacherous attempts to obtain
these oft-coveted treasures, and which, for
the most part, ended in their defeat, they had
recourse to industry, and determined to create
commodities which they might fairly barter
for these envied muskets. Potatoes were
planted, hogs were reared, and flax prepared,
not for their own use or comfort, but to exchange
with the Europeans for fire-arms.
Their plans succeeded j and they have now
fairly possessed themselves of those weapons,
which at first made us so formidable in their
eyes; and as they are in constant want of
fresh supplies of ammunition, I feel convinced
it will always be their wish to be on friendly
terms with us, for the purpose of procuring
these desirable stores. I have not heard of a
single instance in which they have turned
these arms against us, though they are often
grossly insulted.
In their combats.with each other, fire-arms
are used with dreadful effect. The whole
soul of a New Zealander seems absorbed in
the thoughts of war ; every action of his life
is influenced by i t ; and to possess weapons