The Islands of New Zealand.
By S. N. Haskell
It has been supposed by some who live in America that the islands of the Pacific Ocean are inhabited largely by a race of savages who have no interest in religious matters, and that to a large extent those who are not the natives are missionaries who have gone there to convert them. But this is a great mistake. Some of these islands are among the most enterprising portions of the world. It is enterprising people who get away from home to these distant fields. Many of them have left home and the associations where they had religious advantages that they cannot get where they now are. It is when we are deprived of blessings that we begin to realize their value. My mind has undergone a great change in some respects since coming to this portion of the globe. New Zealand is one of the most flourishing countries in the world. It possesses in itself nearly all the resources that America has. The Government has taken steps to develop these resources, by financially rewarding those who do it. This gives energy to the people. New Zealand is 1,200 miles southeastward of Australia. The colony of New Zealand comprises three islands. The north island is 550 miles in length, and the extreme width is 250 miles. The south, or middle island, is also about the same length and about 225 miles in width. Stewart's Island, which lies directly south, is only thirty miles long and twenty broad. The whole area is 104,027 square miles, or 66,577,280 acres. The channel that divides this from the south island is from 20 to 80 miles in width. Near these islands there are about twenty little islands, in which less than 1,000 people live. It has been but seventy-one years since the first organized missionary effort was made in this colony. And it was not until 1838 that commercial agencies were established, and these by New South Wales. Treaties were made with the natives, and colonization began, in 1840. Since then there has been a great immigration to this country. Its population, in 1884, was 541,000, exclusive of the natives. Many of the natives, however, are so far civilized that there is no difference between them and the Europeans, in positions of trust or in occupation. They are described as "a fine race of men, and hold a high position as regards intelligence, being in some respects not far behind the average European." At present those who are not civilized are much as the Indians are in America; they live by themselves mostly in the north island. When the colonists first landed, it is believed that there were 120,000 of them. Since then their numbers have become reduced to 40,000 or 50,000. "In character they are courageous, quick at learning, good at imitation, fond of oratory, and susceptible of strong religious feelings." There is no State religion in the colony. There are between thirty and forty different denominations represented. Less than 51,000 of the inhabitants make no profession of religion. Every nation of Europe, and the United States of America, is represented. The system of education is under one management and extends all over the colony, directed by sub-committees. The teaching is entirely secular and free. In the common schools, is taught reading, writing, arithmetic, English grammar and composition, geography, history, elementary science, drawing, object lessons, vocal music, needle work for girls, domestic economy, and drill. Religious teaching during school hours is entirely forbidden, but under certain conditions may be given after school hours. In addition to the regular schools, there are now, under the control of the Educational Department, native schools, industrial and reformatory schools, and the deaf and dumb institute. Besides these there are normal schools, universities, seminaries for both sexes, and denominational schools. In connection with these schools there are public libraries for the use of the children. In 1883 there were 356 of these libraries. The climate and soil of New Zealand are admirably adapted for raising every fruit, flower, and edible that flourishes in Great Britain, and many that will not grow in the warmer regions of Australia. Large tracts of country are covered with grasses of high feeding quality, which support millions of sheep and cattle. Many of the more valuable trees, grasses, and plants, of Europe, America, and Australia have been imported, and have flourished with a vigor scarcely attained in their own country. Fruit, too, is abundant all over New Zealand. Oranges, lemons, citrons, and loquats are found, also peaches, apples, pears, grapes, apricots, figs, melons, and indeed all the fruits that grow in temperate climates. In healthfulness, the climate is unsurpassed by any other lands in the Pacific Ocean. It is said that there is no climate in Europe or America that is like this. The death rate is about three-fifths of that of Great Britain, and is less than that of either of the other colonies in these parts. January and February are the warmest months, and June and July the coldest of the year. The nights are always cool, and in the hottest weather the islands are noted for their reviving sea breeze. Ice is occasionally seen in different parts of New Zealand. Frosts are comparatively light north of Auckland, although the North Cape is sometimes covered with the hoar frost. There are no snakes or animals of a harmful nature. All kinds of domestic animals have been imported during the last few years. There are over 630 species of birds, some of them of the most beautiful plumage. New Zealand contains 50 towns of over 1,000 inhabitants each. The capital was removed from Auckland to Wellington, in 1865. It now contains the Government buildings and a population of 22,116. The Government house is a handsome building surrounded with fine grounds, illuminated with electric lights, and contains 160 rooms. It is said to be the largest wooden structure in the world. Wellington has one of the very finest of harbors. There are 22 bays and harbors in the colony. The country is very mountainous, and the whole country is of volcanic origin. Chains of mountains run through the country from north to south. The highest peaks are about 10,000 feet—2,500 feet above the snow-line—so that here on the highest mountains are the everlasting snows. The country abounds in rivers and streams of purest water. The waters in and around New Zealand abound with fish of various kinds. The most important missionary point in this field is Auckland. The boat remained here four hours, which we improved in visiting the place, and learning what we could of the people and their habits, and in gathering such information as would give us a general idea of the country. The population of the city and suburbs is 47,000. Everything that we could see indicated thrift and enterprise. The Scottish element seems to predominate. The Scotch honesty and the English courtesy, with the American enterprise, are seen in the people. This was the impression that was made on us in the little time that we were here. This city has great advantages for missionary work. It is the center of the commercial interests of the islands of this colony. There are 302 telegraph stations, and they all center in this city, and are connected with the submarine telegraph. There are seven banks located here, having 230 branch institutions, and over 100 of them are on the islands, while the others are established in the other islands of the Pacific Ocean; but the head center of all is in this city; there are 222 post-office savings banks in the colony. The mail is received here for the other islands. It, therefore, is the place where the information, to a large extent, from the outer world is communicated to the other portions of this colony, and431to the other islands. There are 170 libraries connected with schools of art besides the 356 libraries that are connected with the common schools. And the means of transportation is such that in a very short time communication can be had with all parts of the colony. New Zealand has over twenty good harbors, but none superior to that of Auckland. From this city regular lines of steamboats run to all parts of this colony and to the Fiji, Friendly, and the Society groups, in short to all the islands of the Pacific Ocean, east of Australia. Auckland is also the head of commercial interest for these groups. It has a weekly line of steamers connecting with Australia, and monthly communication with London, England. The Pacific mail steamers all call here, so that each month there is a connection to and from America. Not infrequently there are ten tons of mail brought here by the American vessels alone. There can be no more important point for a missionary center for the islands of the Pacific Ocean west of Australia. Two hundred and thirty sailing vessels and fifty-seven steamers are owned at this port. Most of them are supported by the traffic of the islands. If an active, godly man and his wife could come to this city and establish themselves here as missionaries, we think it would be not only a hopeful field itself, but a place whence the light could be sent to hundreds of thousands of people who, as yet, have never heard of the last solemn warning to mankind. These facts will give the reader some idea of the importance of this territory. America has had but little if any connection with this country, and therefore has but little knowledge of it. But there are many considerations that make it ten times a more hopeful field than I had any idea of before coming here. I have gleaned these facts from the most reliable sources, and have had conversation with many who have lived there for many years. The greatest surprise to me is that this field has not been entered by our people before. If our brethren want to make an investment that will pay them in the kingdom of God, we offer this field as a hopeful one. Religious works are appreciated. Those who can go from house to house and hold Bible-readings are also wanted. There should be placed in each of the 500 libraries in New Zealand a set of thirteen or fourteen of our best bound books, and the papers should be sent to every reading-room. But this move alone would cost not less than $5,000. It seems that this work must be done. Now is the time to enter upon it. I believe that our brethren will say, Give them the publications. The time has fully come when God would have us move forward. The cloud is rising before the people of God. By the eye of faith we can see the waters almost dividing. Shall we not enter? There are individuals who can give this $5,000 themselves, and should they do it they would see the salvation of God, and in the great day of God they would reap the principal and interest of their money, in the salvation of precious souls.
S. N. H.