intervening between the Quarterly Meetings, alternately at Rangheehoo and Pyhea; on which occasions, one day is devoted to religious intercourse and prayer, and another to the study of the Native Languages. These Meetings are found highly beneficial.

A suggestion was made at Rangheehoo, that a Fund should be opened in support of Schools among the Natives, in order to give an opportunity to the Captains and Crews of vessels which frequent the Bay to contribute to the benefit of the Natives. The Meeting at Michaelmas adopted the suggestion; and the sum of 141. was soon contributed.

Mr. Williams writes, in July

In the course of a few days, the keel of a small vessel is to be laid at this Station by Mr. Marsden's desire. The stores, on their arrival here from time to time, have always been subject to considerable loss and damage from the necessity of landing them by means of small boats. The vessel which we purpose building is to be of such a size, as to be capable of removing at once, any stores that may be likely to come at one time; and being under cover of a deck, the stores will be protected from the Natives and the weather. The vessel will, besides, afford us the advantage of going outside the Bay; to visit various tribes along the coast to the River Thames or elsewhere, and also to procure potatoes and pork both for ourselves and Natives in the Schools or in our employ. The Chiefs and Natives are greatly delighted with the idea; and I consider that the vessel may be of lasting benefit to them in a temporal point of view. It will be the means of shewing them what can be done; besides opening a communication between this part of the Island and the remainder, which will never be the case by any other means: the going to the River Thames is regarded as a voyage, though the distance is not more than a hundred miles; and must remain hazardous, while the Natives possess no better means of moving than at present in their canoes.

Mr. Hall rendered assistance in this work. The vessel is of about 55 tons burden.

Rangheehoo.

Mr. Hall and Mr. King continue, alternately, to read the Morning Service and a printed Sermon ; Mr. Hall reading the Afternoon Service and concluding with a Native Service, while Mr. King in

structs the Natives in the villages. A building is set apart as a Chapel. Mr. King continues also to instruct the Natives of Rangheehoo and those of Kaishiki on Wednesdays.

There were 14 children in the SCHOOL, but their attendance was at times much interrupted. Mr. King, who has the care of this department, writes

I constantly attend the School twice a day, from six o'clock in the morning to eight, and from four to six in the afternoon. I begin with prayer; then set them copies on slates, and hear their lessons and spelling; and ask them questions or teach them to repeat Lessons which I have prepared for that purpose, concerning God-the Creation-Fall of man-the Law of God-the Birth of Christ-His DeathResurrection &c. Afterwards we sing a hymn, and close with prayer.

At Christmas he gives the following view

Although the children do not attend so regularly as could be wished, their parents occasionally taking them away on excursions into the country, yet they are improving in knowledge; and I doubt not but that steady perseverance in well doing will, with the blessing of God, surmount every difficulty. The work is slow, but it is gaining ground.

When I contrast the difference between the behaviour of the Natives of this place during the past year with the former times, I am filled with wonder and thankfulness: formerly, they were threatening our lives, stealing, and treating us with contempt and scorn; but, in the past year, they have been peaceable and quiet, and have not robbed us as formerly. Our Chief has uniformly behaved well to us, and often attends Divine Service on the Sabbath Day.

Mr. Hall was erecting a School-House at the date of the last Despatches. He had been occupied, with his accustomed industry, not only at his own Station, but in assisting the others. Both he and Mr. King have some Natives with them at daily worship. Mr. Hall reported, on this head, at Midsummer

I have four Natives constantly in the house under religious and other instruction: three of them are redeemed Slaves. We have others employed in cultivation. All attend with us at Family Worship, morning and evening; and it is very pleasing and interesting to hear them sing, and repeat their prayers by heart. We anticipate the time as not far distant,

when they shall sing and pray with the spirit and with the understanding also.

He adds, on a subsequent occasion

The Boys learn very fast. I have just had evening worship with our Natives. They sing hymns in their own language in a most interesting manner: they lead the tunes themselves, and I join them in the bass.

I always make it a rule, especially morning and evening, to collect the Natives together for the purpose of prayer and praise, and conveying religious instruction to them so far as I am able. Some of them hear with attention: others slight and make a jest of what they hear: we cannot, however, but see that religious impressions occupy the minds of some, and that the work of grace is gradually growing among them.

Five acres of wheat yielded, last harvest, a fair crop, sufficient for the supply of the families.

Kiddeekiddee.

Mr. Kemp's time has been occupied in receiving and issuing the stores, and other necessary work of the Settlement; with the instruction of four Boys and three Girls who live in the family. He and Mrs. Kemp were much gratified by the arrival of Mr. and Mrs. Clarke in April; all having been intimately known to one another, in Norfolk, from their childhood. Mr. Clarke has charge of a School of Native Children, and he and Mr. Kemp keep an Adult Evening-School three times a week. Mr. Shepherd continued to study the language, and to travel among the Natives: at the last dates, he was proceeding to New South-Wales-partly, for the cure of an affection of his eyes; and, partly, to intimate to the Natives, some of whom had ill treated him, that the continuance of the Mission was connected with their better behaviour. On the arrival of Mr. Davis and his companions in August, he was much employed in searching for a proper situation for an Agricultural Settlement; but had not been able, when the last despatches were sent off, to fix on a spot sufficiently promising: the turbulent spirit recently manifested by the Natives at Kiddeekiddee had rendered it imprudent to proceed to any considerable distance.

The religious instruction of the Natives is pursued as the respective Settlers have opportunity. Those who are employed in the different families and in the work of the Settlement are carefully instructed. On the 19th of April of last year, a building was opened as a Chapel, the brethren attending from Rangheehoo and Pyhea: there were 12 Europeans and 12 Natives present: Mr. Williams addressed them from the Eighty-fourth Psalm.

Divine Service is held twice on Sundays in English; and the Natives are, besides, assembled twice for Native Service: they repeat some prayers, and are questioned and instructed, with singing and prayer their attention, at times, is encouraging; but, at others, enmity and obstinate adherence to their own notions are manifested.

Mr. Shepherd has begun to make excursions among the Natives, for the purpose of instructing them in the knowledge of the Gospel: he has travelled one week in a month, from Tuesday to Saturday, from 50 to 60 miles: he finds the people respectful, and desirous to hear: they say

:

Come often if you come often,, we shall learn; but, by your staying so long away, we forget what you before said. Mr. Shepherd remarks on this subject

The Natives, in general, pay attention to my Addresses to them, and some of them retain in their memories what they hear. I am fully persuaded of the propriety of visiting the Natives, in order to give them religious instruction; and I believe it will be the most efficient means of effecting the great object which we have in view.

He adds, on another occasion

I believe that very little will be done toward the establishment of Schools, until the Natives have some idea of the blessings to which Schools will lead. By itinerating among the Natives, we have an opportunity of sounding in the ears of both old and young, the great advantages which they may obtain from the Schools, exhorting them to attend to the offers of mercy by Jesus Christ. By constant continuance in this work of love, we shall, through the Divine Blessing, not only fill our Schools with the Children, but the Old may be made wise unto Salvation, through faith in Christ Jesus. Mr. Kemp confirms these views: he writes

We have, in travelling, a better opportunity of extending our usefulness: the Natives always attend more to what is said when we visit them, than they do when they are at our Settlement.

Soon after Mr. Marsden left New Zealand, a School was opened here, on the 1st of December 1823, with ten children, to be clothed and fed at the Society's expense: some of the parents, however, soon grew discontented at the separation of their children from them, and took them home again. On Mr. Clarke's arrival, Mr. Kemp had but three boys under instruction: in order to enlarge their number, they visited Wyemattee and Tiami, where the great body of people who frequent Kiddeekiddee live the parents manifested much indifference, and considered that it would be conferring a great favour on the Settlers to commit their children to them: one of them came afterward, and even demanded payment for his son's being allowed to attend. Mr. Clarke observes

If, however, children can be collected together at Kiddeekiddee, the Schoolmaster will possess great advantages THERE, which he could not possess in native villages. Children at Kiddeekiddee will be separated from their parents, and consequently from their evil habits: they will see and taste more of the advantages of civilized life; and the Master will have more control over them, than he could have in living so near their parents. But if children cannot be collected at Kiddeekiddee, it would be desirable to go among them into the villages.

Some of the parents had promised to send their children, but, on opening the School on the 10th of June, only one came: in a little time, however, more were collected, and nine boys and three girls were under instruction, most of them living in the family, and seven of the boys are sons of chiefs: one of these, a clever boy, is the youngest son of Shunghee, and is named Port Jackson. At Michaelmas, Mr. Clarke reported that eight boys, three girls, and two adults had been supported at the Society's expense.

The Evening School for Adults had been opened on the 12th of May, with seven Natives, who after

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