the young children (pp. 31, 34). In proof of this he shews (p. 33) that
in 1844 there was one non-adult for every 2.57 adults; whereas in 1858
there was only one non-adult for every 3.27 adults. The mortality of
the adults is also great. He adduces as a further cause of the decrease
the inequality of the sexes; for fewer females are born than males. To
this latter point, depending perhaps on a widely distinct cause, I
shall return in a future chapter. Mr. Fenton contrasts with
astonishment the decrease in New Zealand with the increase in Ireland;
countries not very dissimilar in climate, and where the inhabitants now
follow nearly similar habits. The Maories themselves (p. 35) attribute
their decadence, in some measure, to the introduction of new food and
clothing, and the attendant change of habits ; and it will be seen,
when we consider the influence of changed conditions on fertility, that
they are probably right. The diminution began between the years 1830
and 1840; and Mr. Fenton shews (p. 40) that about 1830, the art of
manufacturing putrid corn (maize), by long steeping in water, was
discovered and largely practised; and this proves that a change of
habits was beginning amongst the natives, even when New Zealand was
only thinly inhabited by Europeans. When I visited the Bay of Islands
in 1835, the dress and food of the inhabitants had already been much
modified: they raised potatoes, maize, and other agricultural produce,
and exchanged them for English manufactured goods and tobacco.
It is evident from many statements in the life of Bishop Patteson (42.
Life of J.C. Patteson, by C.M. Younge, 1874; see more especially vol.
i. p. 530.), that the Melanesians of the New Hebrides and neighbouring
archipelagoes, suffered to an extraordinary degree in health, and
perished in large numbers, when they were removed to New Zealand,
Norfolk Island, and other salubrious places, in order to be educated as
missionaries.
The decrease of the native population of the Sandwich Islands is as
notorious as that of New Zealand. It has been roughly estimated by those
best capable of judging, that when Cook discovered the Islands in 1779, the
population amounted to about 300,000. According to a loose census in 1823,
the numbers then were 142,050. In 1832, and at several subsequent periods,
an accurate census was officially taken, but I have been able to obtain
only the following returns:
Native Population Annual rate of decrease
per cent., assuming it to
205