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/93

 Rh How long is it since the Missionary Schools have been established?
 * From the earliest Settlement, soon after 1814. I think the Missionaries were there One or Two Years before they could do any thing.

Have you met with any of the Children that had been educated at those Schools?
 * Yes, many.

Did they retain any Recollection of their Education? Were they Christians?
 * I should say decidedly not. But I would not speak respecting the Church Missionaries; I will mention the Wesleyans. When I went there in 1837 I was astonished to see the Difference of the Natives, entirely owing to the Influence of the Missionaries.

When you say Difference, do you mean that they had become Christians?
 * No, I do not, but I found a favourable Difference. A Christian is a different Character altogether. Men who were formerly Savages, dancing the War Dance, were become humble and meek in their Manners. It is a Deceit, perhaps, but it is of invaluable Benefit; the Children will imitate the Manners of their Parents, and leave off their former boisterous Demeanour.

Did you see any thing like a Christian Congregation among the Natives?
 * Yes; I have heard them some Hundred Times say their Prayers over.

Do not you account for the Difference on the West Coast and on the other Coasts by the Circumstance that there are fewer of the European Population on the West than on the East Coast?
 * There is less Shipping. There are as many Europeans in Hokianga, in which the Wesleyans reside, as in the Bay of Islands.

Are there as many bad Men on the West Coast as on the East?
 * I consider that there are as many; but the Whalers do not come there. There may be about Twelve Vessels per Annum at Hokianga, The Quantity of Shipping in the Bay of Islands may amount to 130.

Do you find that the Venereal Disease exists as much in the Parts which are far from the Bay of Islands as there?
 * I should think the Venereal Disease would be equally spread in all Parts; it was brought by the Shipping. The Natives are great Travellers; they go away for a Twelvemonth and return.

You do not find that the greater Portion of the Women are infected by it?
 * No, decidedly not; in the Bay of Islands or Cloudy Bay. It is less virulent in New Zealand than in Europe; they have a Mode of Steaming which we have not in Europe.

Are the Natives addicted to intoxicating Liquors?
 * They are exceedingly given to them.

Do you find them equally so away from the British Settlements?
 * Equally; but they cannot get them away from the British Settlements.

Do you believe that the Depopulation has been general throughout the Island from that Circumstance?
 * Yes. It was in consequence of the Wars from 1821 to 1830. Those Years did more against New Zealand than a Hundred Years before, or more than a Hundred Years can do again.

Do you know the Number of Schools established?
 * No, I do not; but they are solely in the native Language. I do not think the Missionaries themselves can give a very good Idea how many Scholars they have there; they are taken away and brought back continually; and some of them are Women taken to the Ships.

When you say you saw a great Improvement in the Character of the People, is that near the Wesleyan Settlement principally?
 * Decidedly; within their Influence or Vicinity.

Are you acquainted with any other Europeans than English settled there?
 * I had a French Servant; there was also a Prussian Resident, who died. The

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