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some tribes who were inclined to part hastily with extensive
tracts of valuable pine forests. The real value of those trees
was explained to the natives; and they were shown distinctly
how a careful management of such stores of spars would ensure
a future property, and sufficient maintenance for the native
children who would otherwise be deprived of their birthright.
Did this show a desire to monopolize .?
But I must hasten to a conclusion of the subject. When
authorized agents of European or American governments
assume active functions in New Zealand (where at present they
^re little more than cyphers), I hope they will have the good
sense to ask for advice from the missionaries ; who, no doubt,
willdulyrememher, that, however they may have been called upon
to act during emergencies, the duties of their office are, or ought
to be, separated as much as possible from affairs of a secular
nature. Neither in politics, nor in any kind of hostilities or
dissensions, ought they to take a part, excepting as peacemakers,
if an officer or authorized executive agent of government
is within their reach.
Among many omissions which I am obliged to make in tbe subsequent
obapter, are tbe following On tbe 7tb of January, wbile more tban
two hundred miles from any known land, we saw a boatswain-bird and
two wbite tern. To tbose wbo are interested about tbe distances to
wbicb birds fly from land, this remark may be worth notice : as some
persons say that tern never fly far.
Mr. Chafters obtained the jaw of a huge blue shark, at Hobart Town,
which had been killed by tbe boat’s crew of Mr. James Kelly’s whaling
vessel. The extreme length of the monster was thirty-seven feet. Its
jaw is now in the United Service Museum.
About Van Diemen’s Land, the barometer ranged higher than I
witnessed in the southern hemisphere.
bad
North Cape of New Zealand — Superstitions — Cook’s great Lizard—
Traditions — Currents — Thermometer — Sydney — Dr. Darwin —
Drought—Aqueduct — Position—Disadvantages—Ill-acquired wealth
of Convicts, or Emancipists — Hobart Town—Advantages of Van
Diemen’s Land—King George Sound — Natives—Dance Keeling
Islands — Tides — Soundings _ Coral formations — Malays—F is h -
Weather—Mauritius—Cape of Good Hope—St. Helena—Ascension
—Bahia —Pernambuco — Cape Verde Islands—Azores — Amve in
England.
O n the last day of this year (1835) we passed the north cape
of New Zealand, and steered for Port Jackson. I t has been
said that the New Zealanders entertain vague ideas about
the spirits of their dead hovering near this north cape. 1
had no opportunity of inquiring into this superstition, but as
other authorities besides Cook mention it, no doubt there is
some such belief among tliose who have not acquired different
notions from foreigners To my mind it is interesting in two
points of view ; one, as showing their belief in a future state
of existence ; and the other, as indicating the quarter whence
New Zealand was first peopled ; for it appears to be an impression
common to many savage nations, that their souls should go
to the land of their ancestors. This is particularly remarkable
among the South American aborigines. It is not easy to imagine
any motive for the New Zealanders supposing that spirits
hover about the North Cape, in preference to any other promontory
of New Zealand, unless in connexion with the idea
that from the point nearest to the country whence those people
formerly migrated, the souls of the deceased would, after a
time perhaps, depart to their permanent abode.
In taking leave of this interesting country I will refer to
Cook once more, for a curious notice, given in his third voyage,
respecting great lizards in New Zealand, which have not,
so far as I am aware, been lately described, or even met with.
‘ Taweiharooa’ gave an account of snakes and lizards of an enormous
size : “ he describes the latter as being eightfeet in length.
It
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