has shewn, not only to the Society's proceedings and designs, but to the Native Population within the influence of His Excellency's authority. The Act of the 57th of the late King, "for the more effectual punishment of Murders and Manslaughters committed in places not within His Majesty's Dominions" and applicable to these Seas, was followed by an Act passed on the 19th of July 1823, enlarging the jurisdiction of the Colonial Courts to cases of" Treasons, Piracies, Felonies, Robberies, and other Of fences." Sir Thomas Brisbane issued a Proclamation, on the 17th of May of last year, enforcing the execution of this Act. The Society has felt, from the commencement of its efforts in these Seas, greatly interested in the protection of the Natives from insult and injury, so wantonly inflicted, to the great detriment of all attempts for their good, hy profligate Europeans; and, in the year 1817, presented a Memorial to His Majesty's Government on this subject*. The Committee cannot but congratulate the Society on the prospect that its object will now, under these Laws, be fully accomplishedadministered, as they are, by the upright and benevolent men who direct the affairs and preside in the Courts of both New South-Wales and Van Diemen's Land. In reference to the recent Proclamation, His Excellency was pleased to state to the Committee

I have considered it incumbent on me to issue the accompanying Proclamation, in consequence of many diabolical acts of outrage committed by British Ships in these seas; and, more particularly, on a recent occasion, at one of the Friendly Islands, by the "Rambler" Whaler, when the Master paid the forfeit of his life, otherwise he must have been tried for his life here. I have directed that this Proclamation shall be read to all crews of Vessels leaving this port with the intention of going among the Islands; and that a copy should be

*This Memorial was printed in the Thirteenth Appendix to the Eighteenth Report. In the Fourteenth Appendix to that Report, an Extract of the 57th of George III. was given; and in Appendix III. to the present Report Sir Thomas Brisbane's Proclamation will

be found.

left with the Master, as the New Charter of Justice enables us to try individuals for crimes against these unoffending Natives: and I shall not fail to act in conformity with the Proclamation in all cases of outrage.

The interest which Colonel Arthur took in the Society's objects when he was in command in Honduras afforded an assurance to the Committee, that, in his present appointment as Lieutenant-Governor of Van Diemen's Land, he would afford every practicable assistance to its exertions in these seas. An extract of a Letter addressed by Colonel Arthur, in July last, to the Rev. Henry Williams, will be heard with much pleasure by the Members :

A small Schooner is about to proceed from hence to New Zealand; and, as I take a lively interest in the Mission upon which you are engaged, I am happy in the opportunity of addressing you. It will afford me sincere gratification to hear that you are not labouring in vain, that your health is not impaired by your exertions, and that the Natives shew you kindness and respect; and it will also afford me very sincere gratification to render you any assistance from hence. Indeed you will oblige me by pointing out in what way I can be useful.

The difficulty of communicating with you is much to be regretted; and if you consider that any means of intercourse can be devised, I shall, as far as depends on myself, very gladly promote it.

The establishment of an Archdeaconry in the Colony, and the appointment of the present Archdeacon, the Ven. T. H. Scott, are subjects of congratulation to its friends. Having accompanied Mr. Commissioner Bigge throughout his late investigation into the state of the Colony, the Archdeacon is well acquainted with the circumstances of the Mission, and has assured your Committee that he will render it every assistance in his power. The Archdeacon well knows and highly appreciates the character of the Society's unwearied friend the Rev. Samuel Marsden, the Senior Chaplain.

The Committee have also much pleasure in stating, that Mr. Barron Field, who ably sustained for seven years the office of Chief Judge in the Civil Court of New South-Wales, and uniformly befriended the

Society, having returned home, has given the Committee, by a detail of facts and circumstances, the best reason to hope, that, under the Divine Blessing, its efforts in these parts will ultimately attain their end.

NEW-ZEALAND SEMINARY IN NEW SOUTH-WALES.

Mr. Marsden was confirmed, by what he observed in his Fourth Visit to New Zealand mentioned in the last Report, in his views of the importance of a Seminary in New South-Wales for the instruction of Young Natives of New Zealand: and determined, therefore, on his return, to renew the attempt to form such an Establishment; and with the further view of providing Education therein for the European Children of the Mission, now fast increasing in number.

The Governor was so kind as to offer land near Mr. Marsden's for the intended Seminary; but, the land being bad and in want of water, Mr. Marsden states, with his accustomed disinterestedness of spirit

I have fixed on some good land, which I purchased a few years ago, where there is plenty of water with other local advantages, within sight of my own house, and at a little distance from the town. When the Seminary is built, if it is found to answer, I will make over to the Society as many acres as may be deemed necessary: the buildings will be of free-stone; not large and expensive, but sufficient to make a trial with. If the Seminary should not answer, the buildings will be valuable, and the land will always be worth what it is now; and the Society need not pay for it until the Institution is perfectly established. I shall consider myself responsible for all expenses till approved by the Committee: when the buildings are completed, and there is a fair prospect of success, I will then leave it at their option to purchase them or not.

He thus speaks of his design

I purpose to have the New-Zealand Youths taught shoemaking, tailoring, weaving, flax-dressing, and spinning, with gardening and farming. If the Chiefs' Sons are educated with the Children of the Missionaries, they will become attached one to another, and the work of the Mission will be much promoted thereby. I have six New Zealanders with me now,

all young men of Chiefs' Families: they rejoice to see the foundation of our Institution laid.

The arrival of Mr. Richard Davis and his companions on the 7th of May has been already stated. They received a cordial welcome from the Young New Zealanders, to whom he bears* the following testimony:

I have had some of the New Zealanders under my instruc tion, now for some time; and am happy to tell you, that I am much pleased with their manner of behaviour and dispositions: they learn to read and write very fast, and are very attentive to and thankful for any instruction given them. They are a very intelligent people; and seem to be capable of learning, in a short time, any of the useful and necessary arts of life: we have now here with us Nine fine Young Men and a Boy. I teach them to read, in the morning, till ten o'clock; then take them out to work till two, when they go to their dinner, and afterward I teach them to write.

Could but the friends of the Society see us surrounded by these beloved Young Men, all kneeling at our family altar, they could not but rejoice to view so fair a prospect of their soon becoming spiritual branches of Christ the Living Vine., In September, Mr. Marsden states

I am getting on very fast with the Seminary. I have six Youths with me at present: they improve much, and behave well: there were ten, but four have returned to New Zealand. In about a month, I shall have them in the new building, as sufficient accommodation may then be had for them and the Schoolmaster. A man who is a weaver and can instruct them in all the branches of the flax business is now living, with his wife, in the School, till the other parts of the building are completed.

Our leading men, from what they see, are fully convinced that the Mission will succeed. Several of the New Zealanders, now living with me, lately spent the evening with the Judge, and gave much satisfaction to him and other Gentlemen present.

Mr. Marsden strongly recommends that a Clergyman should be sent out to take charge of the Seminary. He suggests that such a Clergyman might occasionally visit New Zealand: and at other times, by taking his own Colonial Duty, might enable him

Some further particulars relative to these Young Men are printed at pp. 100, 101, of the Missionary Register for February.

to renew his visits to the Mission; and might act, in case of necessity, as the Society's Agent and Representative.

BAY OF ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND.

The return of the Rev. John Butler and his family with Mr. and Mrs. Cowell was stated in the last Report. Mr. Butler's Son and Mr. and Mrs. Cowell remain in New South Wales. Mr. Butler and the rest of his family have returned to this country. The connexion of all these parties with the Society has been dissolved.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarke embarked at Port Jackson, on the 19th of March, with their child and two of the young New Zealanders, on board the Coquille, French Ship of Discovery, Captain Duperrey, and arrived on the 4th of April, having received great kindness from the Captain and his Officers.

Mr.

Richard Davis, with his family, except his two elder daughters, whom Mr. Marsden detained in New South-Wales till their father should be settled, sailed from Port Jackson, with Mr. Charles Davis, on the 1st of August; and arrived in New Zealand, after a rough passage, on the 13th.

The LABOURERS now in this Mission who have proceeded thither from this country are as follow: Mr. W. Hall and Mr. John King, at Rangheehoo ; Mr. James Kemp and Mr. G. Clarke, at Kiddeekiddee; Rev. H. Williams, at Pyhea; and Mr. Richard Davis and Mr. C. Davis, whose place of settlement had not been finally determined: all these are married except Mr. C. Davis. Others have been attached to the Mission from New SouthWales:-Mr. James Shepherd and his wife, at Kiddeekiddee; and Mr. W. Fairburn, and Mrs. Fairburn, at Pyhea: while Mr. W. Puckey, sen. with Mrs. Puckey, W. Puckey, jun. and W. Spikeman, render assistance in the labours of the Mission.

Meetings are held quarterly, at Kiddeekiddee, for conducting the business of the Mission, and for united prayer. Meetings are held, on the two months