New Zealand | AdventAI

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Oct 2, 1884

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 37.

New Zealand.

THE colony of New Zealand is situated in the South Pacific Ocean, and consists of three islands, the Northern, Middle, and Stewart's Islands. Portions of them were explored by Tasman, under the direction of the Dutch East India Company, in 1642, and visited at various times during the eighteenth century by Captain Cook. The first settlement of Europeans was made in 1814, but no colonization took place until 1839. In 1841 New Zealand was created a separate colony, distinct from New South Wales. The entire area is about 106,260 square miles, being 4,440 miles smaller than the State of Nevada.

The population of New Zealand in March, 1881, was 489,993. The native population, or Maories, was estimated at 44,097, in addition, chiefly in the Northern Island. In 1840 a treaty was concluded at Waitangi, with the native chiefs, whereby the sovereignty of the islands was ceded to Great Britain, while the chiefs were guaranteed the possession of their lands, forests, etc., on condition that they retained them. If they proposed to sell them, Great Britain was to have the right of pre-emption. Thus New Zealand became a regular colony, and the seat of government was fixed at Auckland, but it was removed to Wellington in 1865. The government is vested in a governor appointed by the queen of England, a Legislative Council, also appointed by the queen, and a House of Representatives, consisting of ninety-five members, elected by the people for three years, four of whom are Maories, elected by the natives.

The Wesleyans deserve much credit for their persevering missionary labor amongst this once barbarous people. The following device by a Christian chieftain for making peace deserves to be recorded: He went to the neighborhood of his enemies' pah (village), and concealed himself near it, so that he could see every one who went in and came out, without being seen himself. At last he saw a young man, one of the head chiefs of the place, go out and advance to a spot where he might obtain an extended view and see whether any enemies might be approaching; there he sat down, quite unaware of the vicinity of his foe, who lay concealed close to him. This one, watching his opportunity, stole upon him so quietly that he reached him without being heard, then sprang suddenly upon him like a tiger, and overpowered him before he had time to resist; he then pinioned his arms behind him and led him off as a prisoner. But not to death. When they had gone some distance, quite out of sight of the pah, he suddenly stopped, unbound his prisoner's arms, and bid him bind his instead! The other obeyed, marvelling what it all meant, and now took his captor, thus fettered, back to the inclosure. Once inside, all rushed upon him, eager to dispatch him instantly, but the young chief bade them pause while he related how he had obtained his captive. Surrounded by them all, the prisoner in the midst, he now gave an exact account of all that had taken place, and demanded whether he ought to be killed? Such courage and generosity combined struck the impulsive warriors with admiration. With one acclaim they voted his deliverance; the prisoner was immediately unbound, peace made between the two tribes, and, after celebrating a feast in his honor, he returned to his own place with some of his new-made friends.—Sel.