MADAGASCAR.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 8, 15 April 1862, Page 15

MADAGASCAR.

The following paper was handed to us by a friend, for translation and insertion in this journal; and as it will be interesting to our Native readers, and some useful lessons may be imparted bv its publication, we cheerftiUy give it a place in the columns or the u Maori Messenger." There is a large island, lying to the SouthEast of Africa, called Madagascar. It Is full of people They are not black, like most of the South African tribes. In the colour of their skin and their general look they resemble New Zealauders. Their language, too, and Maori, have many words in common It is believed that the ancestors of both are from one stock. The people of Madagascar are more advanced in many ways than the Maories. Their bouses are very good, they have plenty of iron, and they manufacture their own kiiives, hatchets, axes, hoes, and spades. : They have sheep, and know bow to manage silk-worms. They weave soft fine garments, both in wool and in silk, aud dye them with bright colours. Bui the reason for writing about them now is, uot to tell of their treasures which ; perish, but of the great treasure—that is, : the Gospel—which they have 1 received and i will not part with. They lose their earthly goods, tbey are made slaves, they are put to : death, but nothing moves them from their ! steadfastness. It is only within the last "30 ; years that we have known much about the ; Madagascans, In *Bi 7 the English Go- | vernor of Mauritius (a neighbouring island) ; made a treaty with the Ring of Madagascar, j The King's name was Radama. He was a j heathen and so were all bis people. They ■ bad not liked to admit, until this time, any ■j foreigners into their country. But Radama } was a good man and very intelligent, and i he gladly consented to receive Missionaries from England. j (To be continued.J