THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 201, 4 October 1854, Page 6

THE CHATHAM ISLANDS.

By the arrival of the " Prima Donna" we liave received intelligence of the present stale of the Chatham Islands. The population appears to be in a very disorganised and lawless state. There is no officer-of Government there, .and no law is respected. About 12 or 14 years ago, a defeated tribe of the North Island of New Zealand took possession of a small ship which was lying off Taranaki and compelled the crew to sail for the Chatham Islands. Some of the Maories who had touched there on whaling expeditions had given a glowing account of the fertility of the soil. On their arrival they conquered the aboriginal inhabitants, massacred half of them, and made the rest slaves. The Maori population of the Islands is now only about one-third of the number of the aborigines ; being, however, a more powerful and wailike race, they hold the latter in the most absolute slavery, and treat them brutally. Capt. Spvoul carried away one of the aborigines who came on board the " Prima Donna " for protection, and had to clear off the coast as quickly as possible, as a great commotion was created amongst the lords and musters of the fugitive. A Tew while men live at the pas among the^Maories, old whalers and runaways. There are two or three German missionaries *on the islands, but they do not appear to have much influence in restraining the lawlessness of the inhabitants. Drinking is carried on to great excess; there

being no duties of Customs the'inhabitants get as much wine and spirituous liquor as they like from stray traders who go down there to buy up the crops. TheMaories have been known to kidnapp a runaway sailor, and make him work for them like a slave in the hopes of literally selling him to some ship that might arrive there short of hands. Most of them call themselves members of the Church of England, and read prayers every morning. They profess a great regard for,. Bishop Selwyn who visited them frequently in his yacht. Their profession of religion, however, appears to have very little influence on their manner of living. It is a great pity that these fine islands are not better governed. A magistrate with large authorities is much needed down there, and might do ajgreat deal towards establishing order, as the Maories have an instinctive respect towards legally constituted authority. As it is, the system of trade carried on there is a system of fraud. The Maories impose on the traders when they can. and many of the traders too often retaliate by imposing upon them. The islands are well watered and wooded, and enjoy much the same climate as we do here.