The exploration for territory in the South Sea occasioned a vast amount of rivalry between France and England. From the time of Louis XVI. to the days of Napoleon—barely 100 years—there were the following English navigators in these seas:—Anson, Vancouver, Cook, Furneaux. French navigators were:—Bougainville, Marion, Surville, La Perouse, D'Entrecasteaux, and Brandon. The name Australia, as the name of these southern discoveries, was first used by the French M.C., President Charles de Brosses, in his "Histoire des Navigations aux Terres Astrales," p. 80. De Brosses was president of the Parliament of Dijon.—Hobart Museum Record.

Crozet, in his "Voyages to Tasmania and New Zealand," p. 61, says:— We completed our stores of wood and water; we took possession in the King's name of New Zealand, which the aboriginals called Ekenomacriwe, and which Marion called France Australe; Cook had called it in his chart Bay of Islands, but which we named Treachery Bay.

Enderby, in Select Committee, states:—The French and Americans have brought vessels of war into these waters, and they have a certain degree of protection, much more than our British ships have.

Busby, in "Authentic Information Relative to New Zealand," writes:—It is well known in the colony that, in their late voyages of discovery to the South Seas, the French directed much of their attention to the Islands of New Zealand (D'Urville having, in 1827, been occupied for two months in the survey of the Middle Island alone), and apprehensions are very generally entertained that they will be ultimately taken possession of by that Power. It has also been suggested that a settlement in New Zealand would prove of great value to the Russians as a place of refreshment for their ships, on their voyage, by that route, to the Russian settlement at Kamschatka, and on the north-west coast of America.

Menaced By Foreign Powers.

Hobart Town Courier of March 26, 1831, has an article on the desirableness of forming a British settlement at New Zealand. Although we last year entered into this question at considerable length, yet the peculiar interest it at this moment possesses with our mercantile readers induces us to turn to it once again. The Courier states that a memorial "from the gentlemen connected with the whale fishery in this and the sister colony was about to be laid before the Secretary of State for the Colonies, calling the attention of the Home Government to the present state of New Zealand, and pointing out the propriety of speedily forming a British settlement on that very desirable territory." But whether from Sydney or Hobart Town, or both, we rejoice such a document is in training, and we hope it will be so far successful as to draw the attention of Ministers to a subject of such great and increasing importance to these colonies. The Courier adverts to the fact on which we laid so much stress in our former articles, as an extra reason for some prompt and decisive measure—namely, that "at this moment the chief nations of Europe, especially the French, the Russians, and the Dutch, are anxiously looking out for a convenient spot on which they may plant a colony." The fact is well known. Why none of these nations has as yet planted its standard upon the neutral shores of those attractive isles it is not perhaps difficult to conjecture. The warlike habits f their proprietors, the predilection in favour of the British which, it was natural to suppose, had been long established among them by our missionaries and traders, and the near neighbourhood of the English settlements of New South Wales and Van Dieman's Land, may hitherto have been sufficient to keep off foreign intruders. Nor do we think these obstacles (the first two at least) could foe surmounted. No people, whether savage or civilised, are more [unclear: enacious] of their own dignity than the New Zealanders. The page 50very thought of oppression fires them with rage, nor could any coercive means, short of extermination (which would of itself be physcially impossible), subject their territory to a foreign dominion. But, indeed, no European Power would be so fool-hardy as to meditate an invasion of this nature. They would attempt it by mild expedients. But the British being already on the spot, the first step towards stratagem would be instantly exposed, and indignantly repelled by the jealous natives. For any foreign interference with the northern island, the present seat of our commerce and our missions, we have therefore no apprehension. We have there got the start—we have a firm, because a friendly footing—and, so long as we retain the confidence of the natives, no rival can displace us. But the southern island is, according to all accounts, very differently circumstanced. Though by far the larger of the two, it is said to be thinly inhabited, and by a less valorous race than its neighbours. We have there no locus, but are as much strangers to the straggling and scanty tribes as are the Russians, the French, or the Dutch. And were any of those Powers to pounce suddenly upon the more southern coasts, they might perchance get a firm hold before we knew anything of the affair. The journal we have just quoted affirms that the South Island is not at present appropriated as the right of any particular chief. If so, the conclusion suggested by the fact is quite as favourable to foreigners as to ourselves, and the danger of delay the more obvious and urgent. The Courier informs us that it has been "ascertained by several gentlemen of intelligence who have lately visited these interesting islands, and spent some considerable time upon them, with a view of acquiring a knowledge of their resources and capabilities, that their total population at the present time may be estimated at the enormous amount of two millions, number which has been increased from the less sanguinary results of battles since the introduction of firearms among them." This is a large guess, and we should think much above the mark. It is sufficient, however, to know that the population of our New Zealand (id est. the northern, isle) is not only numerous, but condensed and organised, fearfully capable of resisting aggression and avenging wrong. Whilst this should teach the Government to proceed with the utmost gentleness and good faith in any advances towards alliance, it should also teach our traders to avoid every cause of dissatisfaction among the tribes with which they barter. The traffic in heads must be given up. Some few of the natives may be so treacherous to their kind as to engage in it without reluctance; but from all we know of their general character, we are convinced that to at least nine-tenths it is most odious and insulting. Deceased kindred and friends are with them the objects of veneration, and even supposing the heads bought and sold to be those of the very lowest of the people, the lowest have their friends and relatives as well as the highest, and sooner or later the horrid trade will bring on some fatal convulsion. The signs of indignation are already exhibited, for we are told by the Government Order now publishing that "application has been specially made to his Excellency" for the restoration of the heads recently taken from the island. This ought to alarm our traders, and induce them to relinquish a practice so brutal, so revolting to the best feeling of our nature, and so full of peril to a lucrative and most promising commerce. The publication of this Order will, we doubt not, have a tranquillizing effect upon the natives, for it is sure to be made extensively known among them through the medium of the missionaries and their converts; but it will also have another effect—if the traffic be persisted in, they will know that it is as offensive to the Englishman's own Government as to themselves, and will, on that account, the more fiercely take revenge in their own way. We hope and trust the Sydney merchants will "one and all" do their utmost to avert these pending dangers. We cannot do better than close these remarks with a quotation from our intelligent contemporary:—"Nothing is more evident than that New Zealand must, at no distant period, form an integral and productive part of the immense Australian Empire, or, if possessed by some rival Power, will become the lasting bone of destructive contention."— Sydney Gazette, April 21, 1831.

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An MS. in Tasmania Royal Society Museum relates that, during the year 1832, there were two French ships in these waters—namely, the Geographe and Naturaliste; and, although nothing in the shape of frank admission was made to that effect, the proceedings were sufficiently suspicious to point to the conclusion, colonisation, and the planting of French colonies was aimed at in eventuality. Apropos thereof, the Tasmanian relates that in 1832 there was in Port Jackson a little armed schooner, named the Cumberland, 29 tons burden, which was built at Sydney for the purpose of pursuing runaways. This little craft was hastily prepared for sea, to checkmate the rumoured French designs brought to light within a, few hours of the departure of the French expeditionary ships Geographe and Naturaliste. A crew was selected, with Lieutenant Charles Robins in command. He was provided with two sets of instructions. He was to proceed to Storm Bay passage with all convenient speed. If delayed by southerly weather, he was to go to King's Island and Port Phillip, examine the same, proceeding to Southern Tasmania on the first favourable opportunity. He was to hoist the English flag whenever on shore, placing a guard at each place to turn up the ground and sow seeds. Captain Robins was further charged with a letter from Governor King to the French commander, if he should happen to overtake him in Cook Straits, and he received most precise instructions respecting the action he was to take to assert English rights if the French ventured upon infringing them.

A report having been current, we believe, without any foundation, that the French contemplated taking possession of New Zealand, thirteen of the chiefs addressed the following letter to the King of England, soliciting his interference, to prevent such an occurrence:

"To King William, the Gracious Chief of England.

"King William,—

"We, the chiefs of New Zealand, assembled at this place, called Kerikeri, write to thee, for we hear that thou art the great chief on the other side of the water, since the many ships which come to our land belong to thee. We are a people without property. We have nothing but timber, flax, pork, and potatoes. We sell these things, however, to your people, and then they see the property of the Europeans. It is only the land which is liberal to us. From thee also come the missionaries, who teach us to believe in Jehovah God, and in Jesus Christ his Son. We have heard that the tribe of Marion (the French) is at hand, coming to take away our land; therefore we pray thee to become our friend, and the guardian of these islands; lest the rearing of other tribes should come near to us, and lest strangers should come and take away our land. And if the people be troublesome or vicious towards us, for some persons are living here who have run away from ships, we pray thee to be angry with them, lest the anger of the people fall upon them. This letter is from us, the chiefs of the natives of New Zealand—Warahi, Rua, Patuona, Nene, Ke Keao, Tetore, Temorengi, Ripi, Hara, Atuahere, Moitari, Matagni, Taunui."—Hobart Town Courier, March 29, 1838.

False Alarm.

By the arrival of the Fairy, from New Zealand, we have received intelligence—which certainly has by no means surprised us—that the French ship La Favorite, from this port, arrived in the Bay of Islands on the 4th inst., fired a salute, hoisted the tri-coloured flag, and took possession of one of the islands in the name of the King of the French. Captaine La Place had made some considerable progress in the erection of a fort prior to the departure of the Fairy. As we have already stated, we are not at all surprised at this proceeding on the part of the French commander. The object of the French "Discovery Ships" cruising in the South Seas during the last six years has now been, and, we anticipate, will be made still more apparent. It is to found colonies in page 52this part of the world; and yet, in the very face of these proceedings, which are as plain as the sun at noonday, we have people among us who twaddle about the injustice of our Government in even contemplating the adoption of measures which would have the probable effect, at least, of securing to the British Crown, dependencies so truly valuable as some of the South Sea Islands. With respect to New Zealand, however, has it not been already formally taken possession of in the name of the King of England? Was not the British flag hoisted there by Captain Cook, as well as by succeeding circumnavagators? If so, has not the French commander transgressed the Laws of Nations? and will the British Government submit to such an usurpation? We understand that H.M. brig Zebra is under orders to sail for New Zealand on Sunday. The object of her mission is not publicly known.—Sydney Gazette, October 16, 1838.

We stated on Saturday that the Fairy had brought news of the French having taken possession of one of the New Zealand islands. We have since heard another version of the affair—namely, that certain repairs, etc., being required for the ship (La Favorite), Captaine La Place had pitched a tent upon an island, convenient for the purpose; that upon the apex of the tent a tri-coloured flag had been hoisted, simply as an ornament; and that a couple of guns had been placed before the encampment as a means of preventing opposition on the part of the natives. This certainly is a very probable story, though we, by no means, vouch for its truth. Nothing could be more natural than for the French to act in the manner described, while it would be equally natural for hasty observers to put a wrong construction upon their conduct. A correspondent has favoured us with the following sensible observations on the question of national right:—

"As the reported intrusion of the French at New Zealand is at present a topic of much interest, I take the opportunity of bringing to your notice that in the work of Peuchet, Paris, 1821 (Etat des Colonies des Europeens dans les deux Indes), New Zealand is expressly recognised as a British possession. That Great Britain may not have stationed any civil or military establishment at New Zealand could not derogate from that continued right of possession, which contiguity to these colonies and the necessity for their safety, that adjacent islands be not occupied by any other foreign Power, would always infer. Whether however, the British Government has desired to look upon New Zealand absolutely as a British colony or possession will probably best be decided by the fact of their having directed, or otherwise, "British Plantation Registers" to be granted to the vessels lately built by British subjects from these colonies, a question which was referred by the local Government to Downing street in the early part of the year 1829, and the result of which the gentlemen of the Customs could at once inform you of. Some official documents published not long ago would show that in the case of 'Otaheite' (I think), by not sanctioning, if my memory serves me, the use of the British flag by these islanders, the British Government did not intend that all these southern islands should be considered as British dependencies; but it does not follow that Britain would permit the occupation of any by another foreign Power; and, if I am not mistaken, there has been some treaty in which this has been stipulated for. But, as to the British Government sending a consul to New Zealand, as stated by the editor of the Sydney Monitor (upon his own knowledge), it is preposterous, for who ever heard of a British consul being sent to a British colony or possession, or to any other than a, foreign or independent kingdom." We have inquired at the Custom House as to the result of the above-mentioned reference to Downing street, and are informd that no answer has yet been received. The official document relative to Otaheite, alluded to by our correspondent, was a despatch from Mr Canning, then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to the late King Pomare, in answer to a request for permission to use the British flag. Our Government did not think it expedient to accede to Pomare's wish.—Sydney Gazette, October 23, 1838.

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H.M.S. Zebra has returned from her cruise to the Bay of Islands, where, it was said, the French had taken formal possession of part of New Zealand. The conjecture we expressed at the time—that they had merely landed for some temporary purpose—proves to have been correct; though, it must be admitted, their proceedings were somewhat suspicious. They explored every part of the bay, rivers, etc., and erected marks at the different angles of the harbour to assist their surveying operations. The natives were exceedingly jealous of their designs, and treated them with marked hostility, refusing to hold any communication, and, in the end, tearing down their survey marks. The French were so little satisfied with their reception that they prudently decamped, but not without a considerable acquaintance with the geography of the country, from which, it is fair to presume they contemplate some ulterior advantage. The Zebra arrived in the Bay of Islands on the 15th ultimo, the French corvette La Favorite having sailed thence three weeks previously for South America. In consequence of the alarm created among the natives by this suspicious visit from the French, and of the growing annoyance they are suffering from the vile conduct of a parcel of runaway convicts, amounting to forty or fifty, a number of the principal chiefs had determined on immediately petitioning the British Government to take their country under its protection. They were making preparations for war against a tribe at the East Cape, who had somehow provoked their wrath. The Rev. Mr Williams, the principal missionary, and the zealous, uniform, and often successful, advocate for peace, was exerting all his influence to appease their passions, and prevent the horrid carnage by which New Zealand warfare is always distinguished. From the high respect in which he is held by the chiefs, it was hoped his pacific interference would not be wanted.—Sydney Gazette, November 6, 1838.

December, 1858.—The Courier brings intelligence that the French discovery ship La Favorite left the coast of New Zealand last month for South America. A letter received in Sydney from a gentleman on board the Favorite states there was no intention on the part of the Frenchman to establish a settlement on the New Zealand coast.

We rejoice to hear of the application of the chiefs for British protection. It will greatly facilitate that formal occupancy on the part of our nation which we have so frequently and so strongly urged, and on which the future peace and welfare of these colonies will so materially depend. We trust his Majesty's Government will be duly impressed with the importance of such a step, and promptly avail themselves of so excellent am opportunity for frustrating the sinister intentions of foreign interlopers. New Zealand, as we have often remarked, is the great key of the Pacific, and the natural satellite of Eastern Australia, Whatever foreign Power should be permitted to wrench it from our grasp would have the means of inflicting serious injury upon our commerce, and in times of war of effecting mischief of a still graver nature. The anxiety and alarm excited in the colony by the late report of French intrusion sufficiently indicated how generally these opinions are entertained by those best competent to judge, and ought to serve as a further argument for the official interference we recommend.—Sydney Gazette, November 27, 1838.

Hobart Town Courier, March 8, 1839, reports:—There is an idle rumour abroad of a new Southern Continent having been discovered by the French ships now in the South Seas, under command of M. D'Urville. This is not so. D'Urville found it impracticable to arrive so near the South Pole as he desired, and gave up the attempt. An island not laid down in any of the charts has been discovered south of South Shetlands. The expedition, however, is said to have already added very much to the botanical and geographical sciences.

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French Settlement In New Zealand.

Havre Journal, December 31, 1839, reports:—The steamer Havre is now taking on board in our port all the fishing apparatus destined to complete the equipment of the Compt de Paris, whaler, at present at Rochefort. Sixty emigrants whose destination is New Zealand, go on board at Havre, in order to embark in the Compt de Parris, Captain Langlois, who commands the expedition.

Sydney Gazette, April 1, 1840, reports:—That an intention exists on the part of the French Government to establish a penal settlement in New Zealand. A company has been formed at Havre for the purpose of colonising New Zealand, and has obtained from the Government a grant of money, a number of picked men from the royal navy, and a commission to reserve, as the site for a penal settlement, a fifth of any land which they may obtain.

August 1, 1840, the same journal writes:—Reports received from New Zealand state that a French frigate had arrived at the Bay of Islands, 103 days out from France; and that three ships with emigrants fom Germany and Switzerland were expected daily to reach the Middle Island.

A New Zealand record relates that the armed vessel L'Aube, in charge of Commodor Lavand, sent from France in anticipation of the arrival of immigrants by the Compt de Paris, which sailed from Havre, March 19, 1840, arrived at Akaroa, August 17. They found L'Aube lying there and the British flag flying—Commodor Lav and had gone to Auckland. Governor Hobson entertained him right royally, and, meantime, finding out his purpose, anticipated him by dispatching a small armed brig, named the Britomart, with one Robinson on board, to take formal possession. When the Commodor reached Akaroa he found Robinson had just arrived a few hours before. He and Robinson agreed to keep their proceedings secret, and it was not for a langth of time the French emigrants knew they were not under French rule.

The Frenchman supplied his Government with the following information relating to Banks Peninsula:—

Piraki—There are twenty European men, two women, and five native women; nine houses; fifteen square miles of this land are claimed by Captain Haupleman, owner of the whaling station. No cultivation Station has been four years established. The soil is good. Since established, it has been visited by five French, one Danish, and one American, whalers. The land claimed is alleged to have been bought from one, Bloody Jack.

I-Kolaki—There are twenty-nine European men, four Maori men, and six Maori women; ten houses built. The bay and six miles back country is claimed by William Price, owner of a whaling station. The station has been nine months in existence. The soil is good. The purchase said to have been made from Bloody Jack and Pyroa (Tairoa).

Akaroa (Takobinik).—There are four European men, one European woman, and one house. The bay and sixteen square miles alleged to have been purchased by Captain Rhodes. Bullocks and cows are grazing on the land. Two acres are under cultivation in vegetables. Have been nine months in occupation. The soil is good. Title signed Pyroa (Tairoa).

Oishew.—There are twenty-four men, four Maoris, and six European women. Sam Brown and William Woods, owners of the whaling station. Have been six months in occupation. Land good, but hilly. No cultivation. Wood claims sixty acres in Otazi, in respect of the Maori woman, with whom, he lives.

Rouncataki.—There are two men, one Maori woman, and two houses. One acre claimed by Angus and Clough, who are simply squatters. Have been four years in occupation. The soil good. Clough has generally deserters residing with him from whalers. About forty natives also reside there.

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Port Levi.—There are two Europeans and three Maoris. Europeans numporarily employed as coopers. The soil is good. A considerable quantity of flat land is said to exist westward of Port Cooper. Weller, merchant, Sydney, is said to have had some surveyors employed measuring it.

In Memory Of French Navigators.

The names which stud our southern coast, and are familiar in our mouth as household words—Bruny Island, D'Entracesteaux Channel, Recherche Bay, Port Esperance, River Huon, Cape Raoul, and others—stand a perpetual monument to the memory of the French navigators on these South Sea Islands.—J. B. Walker, in the Royal Society, Hobart.

The French discovery crews suffered terribly from want of precautions, coupled with the miserable character of their victualling.—Ibid.

French voyages of discovery were singularly fatal to their commanders. Beside La Perouse, who perished with all his ship's company, not one of the commanders who visited these waters lived to return to his native country. Marion du Fresne, was killed in New Zealand; Admiral D'Entracesteaux died at sea, off the Admiralty Isles, and his next-in-command, Huon Kermadec, at New Caledonia; Brandon died at Mauritius, on the voyage home.—Ibid.