81

Having been driven ashore in the tremen-
dous gale of the sixth of March last, near
North Cape, we saw no natives for three days,
during which time we succeeded in saving some
provisions, sails, and other things, with which
we made tents, and encamped.

On the third day, a native who was travelling
espied the wreck and our encampment, came
down, and remained a short time with us. His
visit was the same evening followed by the ar-
rival of about forty men, and a number of
women and children. These people displayed
the most friendly disposition, and when I
wanted a guide towards Auckland, Brown, the
chief at Pahrengarenga, furnished me with one.

I immediately travelled across to Ahipara,
and as soon as the native chief, Busby, heard of
my arrival there, he came over from Kaitaia, and
the next day started for the wreck, where his
presence was very beneficial.

During my absence the natives invited the
officers and men to remove their camp to the
settlement at Pahrengarenga, about three miles
distant, where they would be much more com-
fortable, and the chief, to ensure the safety of
the property left behind, tabooed the place, so
that no native should go there unaccompanied
by one of the ship's people. Prior to the re-
moval of the camp, the mate observed that the
lead of the ship's scuppers had been cut out of
the wreck, of which he complained, when it
was immediately restored.

When removing to the settlement, every one
of the natives, male and female, came to assist
in carrying the tents, provisions, &c., over three
miles of most difficult country, without stipula-
ting for fee or reward.

During the entire stay of the party at the
wreck, and at the settlement, only one theft of
any kind was committed by a native; this was
of a small quantity of sugar, not worth a shil-
ling. On a complaint being made to the
chief, the thief was brought before him, and a
kind of semijudicial investigation was conducted
with great deliberation and care, and, upon con-
viction, the culprit was sentenced by Busby to
pay to the officer in command the sum of
twenty-four shillings. This the mate declined
to accept, being satisfied that the authority ex-
ercised by Busby would prevent similar oc-
currences.

On the whole, Sir, I think it my duty, know-
ing as I do the fate that too often awaits ship-
wrecked mariners on the coasts of countries
professedly civilized, to place on record this in-
stance of conduct of the native New Zealanders
in like circumstances; and this at such a
distance from any European Settlement, that,
had they chosen to have taken not only our
property, but our lives, totally unarmed as we
were, prevention would have been impossible,
and, from the nature of the country, impunity
almost certain.

I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
ROBERT J. EAMES,
Late master of the "Maukin."

The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.

A TRUE and PERFECT SCHEDULE of all UNCLAIMED BALANCES of DECEASED PERSONS' ESTATES, administered by THOMAS OUTHWAITE, Esquire, Registrar of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, as Official Administrator, and paid into the Treasury of the Province of New Ulster, Colony of New Zealand, from the first day of January, to the thirty-first day of March, 1852.

I, THOMAS OUTHWAITE, Registrar of the Supreme Court of New Zealand, do solemnly and sincerely declare that the above is a true and faithful Return of all Unclaimed Balances belonging to Deceased Persons’ Estates administered and paid by me into the Treasury of the Province of New Ulster and Colony of New Zealand from the 1st day of January to the 31st day of March, 1852.
THOMAS OUTHWAITE.

Made and declared at Auckland, this 7th day of April, 1852, before me } WM. MARTIN, C. J.

I certify to the correctness of the amount stated in the foregoing Return. } A. SHEPHERD, Colonial Treasurer.
Auckland, 11th May, 1852.