Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2- Appendix): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

902 APPENDIX. Having thus explained to you, generally, the course of proceeding by which I think your residence in New Zealand may be made condu- cive to the suppression of the enormities which British subjects, and those of other states, have been in the habit of committing in these islands, I have only further to observe, that it wiU be your duty to assist, by every means in your power, the commercial relations of Great Britain and her colonies with New Zealand. It would indeed be desirable that you should become the medium of all communica- tions between the New Zealand chiefs and the masters of British or colonial vessels frequenting the coasts, and the merchants and set- tlers estabUshed in the islands. This arrangement will probably grow out of your residence in the country, and you should keep it in view as an important object. You wiU be pleased to forward by every opportunity a shipping report, setting forth the names, masters, number of crew, tonnage, and countries, of vessels arriAing at the Bay of Islands, or other parts of New Zealand, whence you can obtain correct accounts ; with the cargoes of such vessels, their objects in touching at New Zealand, as far as you are informed ; and any other particular concerning them that may be worthy of notice. I beg to call your attention to the strange and barbarous traffic in human heads, which certainly did exist to some extent, but which, I am given to understand, is now nearly abandoned. Should it be foimd to continue or revive, some legislative act may be necessary to prohibit, in this colony, the crime and disgrace of participating in so brutalizing a commerce. Having already mentioned the assistance which I anticipate you win receive from the missionaries, I have now only to impress on you the dut}' of a cordial co-operation with them in the great objects of their sohcitude, namely, the extension of Christian knowledge throughout the islands, and the consequent improvement in the habits and morals of the people. RiCHAED BOUEKE. No. 39. The modes of surveying coasts, where there is anchorage, and water smooth enough to admit of boats being frequently employed, have been so often detailed, that, without repeating what is said i;Q every treatise on the subject, I will only try to describe in this