Page:Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the present state of the Islands of New Zealand.pdf/102

 98 : generally in separate small Groups. They go there, not to make Money, for that they cannot do, but to live in a loose profligate Manner. They have easily found a Living there. They are generally Persons who have been obliged to get away from New South Wales on account of Debt.

Have you any Opportunity of judging of the Quantity of Land uncultivated with reference to the Population?
 * There is a very small Quantity uncultivated, considering the Population. It is all in Potatoes. A great Quantity of Potatoes may be grown on a small Space. They do not grow Wheat; that is too much Trouble. They would grow it if they could cook it as easily as Potatoes, but they hate the Trouble of grinding.

During your Stay had you any Opportunity of observing any Instances in which Natives worked as hired Slaves?
 * They worked for the Missionaries, but they had a good deal of Trouble with them.

From what Causes?
 * From Idleness; and if they were obliged to remonstrate with them they would leave them.

Did that often lead to Acts of Violence?
 * No. They are very particular in not striking them; that is considered a great Offence by the New Zealanders; it might be attended with bad Consequences.

If a New Zealand Slave was dissatisfied, did he show that by Acts of Violence, or going away?
 * By going away

Do you think that the Missionaries have been of great Service in New Zealand?
 * Of very great Service; immense Service. I look upon the Northern Part of the Island as a Christian People. There are Individuals who are not Christians, but they generally are Christians. They observe the Sunday very strictly.

The Population in the Bay of Islands, as far as Europeans are concerned, are Outcasts of Society, the Majority of them, are they not?
 * Yes; the Mixture of Americans and English. I do not think that they are Convicts, many of them. It is supposed there are a great many Convicts that have escaped from the Colony; but I do not think that.

But Men quite as immoral as the Convicts?
 * Quite as immoral.

Has that any injurious Effect in respect of the Efficacy of the Missionaries?
 * Yes; but I do not think that has an Effect on account of those Men being supposed to be Christians; for they have the Bible, and they apply to that, and see that the Scriptures do not speak of those Things as to be encouraged; that the Scriptures point out to them that they are to lead moral Lives; they see that those Men do not lead moral Lives, therefore they say they are no Christians. It does not injure their Faith, I think.

Do you think the Missionaries have much Influence with the Natives?
 * Very great.

They are willing to exercise it at all Times to make Peace between the Natives?
 * I think so, entirely.

Your answer applies both to the Church Missionary Society and the Wesleyans?
 * Both of them.

Had you an Opportunity of visiting any Schools which had been formed by the Missionaries?
 * Yes; I lived with Mr. Williams, at Waimate, one of the Missionaries; his Lady had a School which I witnessed almost every Day. Rh