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()()» MIS S 11) N A R Y CLASSICS—1' A ll M. Dec.
sunt anxiety, attacli tlieiii to a class, of wliich the good, and
therefore truly great Itisliop Ilchcr was one of the leading
lueiubers. But of course they are separated, among themselves,
by distinctions which are a uatui al result of more or less education
mid of early habits.
The Church Missionary Society have distinguished hy
the term ‘ missionary’ only those educated, well-informed men
who have taken holy orders, and they are styled ‘ reverend.’
Those who are not iu orders are termed ‘ catechlsts.’ Without
an idea of finding fault with the present conduct of any individual
belonging to either of those two classes, it has occurred
to others as well as to me, that a third class might be added
advantageously, that of ‘ visiting’ or ‘ inspecting missionaries.’
A clergyman of Heber’s character, embarked on board a man of
war, might advise and assist those who are now too much on
an equality to give free advice to one another, or readily to see
the small defects from which no human beings or institutions
ever can be free.
Human nature, tried during a long course of years, has seldom
steered a uniformly steady course; and may not slight
defects, if unnoticed, increase into real blemishes ? Difficulties
have arisen in New Zealand, as well as in other parts of the
Pacific, unnoticed by many people, because, till lately, they
were but little felt. These difficulties particularly interfere with
the missionaries, and if not remedied by timely measures, will
lead to continual embarrassment.
To return from this digression. Near the houses a number
of sheep were grazing: plenty of fowls, geese, and pigs ; some
cattle and horses; and several calves and colts, added to the
comfortable, farm-like appearance. We accompanied Mr. Davis
into his house for a few minutes, walked over the garden and
farm, looked at the farm-yard, barn, and mill, and returned to
dinner. The house was well constructed of wood ; and though
unfinished had a remarkably clean and neat appearance. The
compact manner in which the walls were boarded or wainscotted
struck me particularly, from being such a contrast to the
manner in which a South American carpenter would have con-
IIOIJ.SE—JIAIIN— WATER-WHEEL. 608
Structed a house of similar size. A little room, used by Mr.
Davis, pleased me much ; for, in addition to clever contrivances
and good carpentry, it contained a aJlection of excellent books,
and a frame ou which an unfinished plan of the Society’s farm
bore testimony to the nature of the in-door occupations of our
host. I did not expect to see much indication of reading,
certainly none of drawing, in a newly-built house, standing in
the midst of a tract of New Zealand, which two years previously
was covered with fern.
In the garden, European vegetables seemed to thrive, and
the farm-yard was quite English ; a large barn, built entirely
by natives, under Mr. Davis’s direction ; a blacksmith’s shop;
carts and farming implement,s, successively engaged our attention.
In the barn, a surpri.sing work for the New Zealanders,
two natives were thrashing, and a winnowing machine was
attended by a third. The mill and mill-dam were weU worth
examination, as good works of their kind, independent of the
interest occasioned by their locality. An embankment (made
entirely by natives) had changed the upper part of a small
valley into a large pond ; and on the middle of the pond-head,
or embankment, stood the mill.
A powerful water-wheel, equal to the performance of far
more work than the mill required, seemed to be easily turned
by only a part of the stream admitted through the mill-dam
or sluice. In answer to a remark upon the surplus power, Mr.
Davis said that the Society contemplated erecting a thrashing
machine, and that Mr. Coates* had encouraged him to anticipate
its arrival. A thrashing-machine might be worked easilv,
in addition to the mill, and yet there would be power to
spare.# When embanking the pond, an unfortunate accident
occurred, which almost stopped the work; one of the natives,
incautiously digging under an overhanging mass of earth, wal
smothered by its sudden fall. Superstitious and easilv excited,
the natives abandoned their aUotted tasks, and not without
* Secretary to the Church Missionary Society'.
t The Church Missionary Society have sent out the thrashing machine,
and probably it is now in full operation.
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