Shipping.

Several vessels had been built in New Zealand of the timber of the country before Captain Hobson's arrival. The first was constructed by a sealing gang at Dusky Bay some 95 years since, and named the "Providence." She was taken to Norfolk Island, and thence to India. What became of her is not recorded, but as she was most probably the first vessel built on the Australian waters, her subsequent history would be a matter of much interest. The year following the "Assistance," of 60 tons burthen, was built at the same place, and taken to Sydney and sold for £250.

And here, perhaps, it may be pertinent to state that the sealskins caught in New Zealand waters by the gang who built the "Providence" at Dusky Bay was probably the first export from Port Jackson of the produce of Australasia, as well as being the commencement of the great sealing industry which thence took its rise, and flourished in the first quarter of this century, but had almost ceased to exist before the arrival of Captain Hobson in these seas.

The missionaries built several boats at the Bay of Islands, and several vessels were constructed at Hokianga. One, in 1835, was built at Poverty Bay, but burned by the natives before completion. An old-fashioned, high-sterned, wall-sided cutter of some 50 tons burthen was built on Queen Charlotte's Sound by "Jacky Love," the father of the half-caste family of the same name at Pic ton, and laid in the Wellington harbour for years after the New Zealand Company sent out some of its immigrants: while another was built by "Bloody Jack at Stewart's Island, and stolen from thence by a man named Macgregor, who ran her to Wellington, and thence to Whanganui. We know, however, that for several years over 100 whalers a-year entered the Bay of Islands, but until the New Zealand records are obtained by the Government from New South Wales this interesting field of inquiry is under lock and key.

A difficulty arose about 1832 with the Costoms authorities at Port Jackson, when vessels built in New Zealand traded to British ports. As New Zealand at that time was not regarded as a British colony, they could no; be registered as British vessels, though built, owned, and manned by British subjects, until a flag had been approved and selected as a national emblem by the chiefs of New Zealand, nor could they trade between Port Jackson and New Zealand while owned by British subjects, without being liable to seizure. The difficulty, however, was got rid of by the adoption of the New Zealand flag.