EXTRACTS from a JOURNAL kept during a visit to the TRIBES in the interior of the NORTHERN ISLAND of NEW ZEALAND. 20th October 1845. Started from New Plymouth about 1/2 past 12 for Wanganui and Taupo slept the first night at Hauranga. 21st. Continued my journey in wet heavy weather from Hauranga; meeting with the several natives as I passed their places who made enquiries as to a New Doctrine that had just sprung up amongst them some pretending they had seen the Almighty and his Angels and that they were the true Bishops and disciples of Christ and one even calling himself God (or Jesus Christ). I referred them to their Missionaries not wishing to enter into any religious dispute with them - Slept at Wairua which I think is the sweetest spot in the road to Wanganui - several portions of land here are now occupied by natives that have been laying waste for years, but I regret to find that they are all under fears of the Taupo tribes, and are fortifying their Pahs when they ought to be employed in planting and sowing. 22nd. Find the natives I met with doctrine this day greatly taken up with the new "tikanga" several of them asserting that they had seen the Almighty as on the previous day, whilst others who disbelieved this folly wished to see Messrs Taylor and Bolland on the subject - wrote from Otumatua to the latter gentleman. 23rd. Left Otumatua when having sent my native attendants on before I missed the path and was lost in the bush for two hours where I had to climb and scramble about before I could recover the road - got to Kaupukunui about midday where I had food cooked for the natives (attend). Met a European here who is married to a native woman and has had several children by her. He lives about 2 miles inland cultivates about 6 acres of land rears pigs and is likely to live comfortably. Arrived in the evening at Waimate the station of the deceased Mr Skevington (a Wesleyan Missionary who died suddenly at Auckland whilst attending divine service) found his afflicted Widow in a better state of health and spirits than I anticipated - her child is a fine healthy girl about 1 1/2 years old. Being the first acquaintance that had visited the station since the above event, I felt called on to offer a few words of consolation on her heavy loss. 27. Rain in the morning. Left Patea at 10 o'clock and got to Ihupuku about 1/2 past 2, got some roasted potatoes for my natives and proceeded on my journey to Wanganui in passing along the beach the sea was furiously dashing against the rocks and nearly high water my servant William (a man of color) who happened to be behind, was nearly carried off by a wave and was lost the whole of that day, causing me very great anxiety, I got with my natives on a small hillock which sheltered us from the roughness of the sea and waited for him to come, up, also despatching one to meet him. I then went myself but could see nothing of him - about 12 o'clock at night we made another search with lighted fire sticks, but no signs of William. I was pleased to see the natives so active in the search (although we had walked 30 miles that day) and so much concerned, that they would not touch any food until he was heard of. About break of day another search was to have been made, we had then got to Kai Iwi and pitched our tent, when about 6 in the morning William made his appearance having been obliged to climb up a rocky and precipitous Cliff to escape the fury of the waves, where he was detained by the tide all night. 28th. Got to Dr Wilsons, Wanganui, about 12 o'clock after a good blinding on the road from the sand blowing in our faces, received a kind and welcome reception dined there and after dinner viewed his garden and farming operations was highly delighted with his experience and the useful knowledge he displayed on the treatment of Trees, plants, and vegetables and the soil. This gentleman is a highly qualified member of his profession, and an acquisition to any place wherein he locates himself. Called on some other friends and afterwards arrived at the Revd. R. Taylor's at the Mission station, who intended accompanying me to Taupo in the interior, found him just returned from administering the sacrament to the natives at Waikanae and others along the coast, he had travelled with his son Basil, a distance of 40 Miles that day. From his delightful and truly interesting family such as is rarely or scarcely ever to be met with in the colonies I received the most kind and hearty welcome. 3rd November. Made every preparation for our journey. I afterwards went with Captn Campbell to Camerons section which has a very unfertile and hilly appearance - was entertained by that gentleman with the usual