Report, etc., by the Rev. Thos. Buddle.

The importance of Native agency to assist in carrying out the work of God in the various parts of the Mission field has long been felt by the directors of our Society at Home, and attempts have been made in different places to raise such an agency by means of institutions like this.

In Southern Africa, a similar establishment has been in existence for some time, and the Rev. Wm. Shaw, General Superintendent of our Missions in that part of the world, bears testimony to its utility (see Annual Report, p. 59).

In the Friendly Islands and Feejee this work has also been commenced, and, though in its infancy, promises to be a valuable auxiliary to the few scattered missionaries who are labouring in those numerous and populous islands.

The importance of such an institution has been long and deeply felt by the New Zealand missionaries. Their circuits are generally so extensive, and their people so widely scattered, that they find it impracticable to give to all the various tribes scattered over a distance of 100 or 150 miles, that pastoral attention necessary to their moral and spiritual improvement. And hence they have felt that a few well instructed Native teachers placed at the outposts, in the capacity of teachers and schoolmasters, under the superintendence of the regular missionary, would be invaluable; but the way never properly opened for such an establishment till the arrival of the Rev. W. Lawry as General Superintendent of these missions. He had been long impressed with the importance of such an auxiliary, and had urged the measure on the attention of the Parent Society, who instructed him to take immediate steps toward accomplishing this desirable object.

On reaching the colony, he consulted the senior missionaries, who all agreed that the time was now come to commence such a work, and strongly urged prompt attention to the subject. A public meeting was held, and the following resolutions unanimously passed.

The object the Committee have in view is that of training some of our best Native teachers that they may be employed as schoolmasters, or assistant missionaries, as their talents and piety may dictate.

The plan of instruction will be Scripture reading, catechism, writing, arithmetic, the English language, and a course of lectures on the leading doctrines of Christianity.

The Committee confidently commend their undertaking to the prayers and benevolence of their friends, convinced that by pro- page 6 moting the spread of Scriptural Christianity and enlightened civilization among the natives they will, in a very important and efficient manner, promote the prosperity and happiness of this infant colony.

In pursuance of these resolutions, a subscription was forth-with commenced, and the result was most encouraging, as the following list will testify.

N.B.—The above is a copy of a document in my possession, in my father's handwriting. It must have been written in 1844.—Thos. Buddle.