THE MAORI GRAMMAR.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 1, Issue 10, 31 December 1842, Page 3

THE MAORI GRAMMAR.

Tm: en ! ightened regard which has uniformly been exercised by a I classes of our fallow colonists towards the Aboriginal inhabitants of New Zealand, is by fir the most gratifying feature in the history of its eoionization. The pub Ration of a Grammar of the Native I atrguage by a ge t'eman wellknown for h's devotion to Maori studies, is by no means an insignificant indication of the improvement which has taken p»ace in tiie character of our intercourse with our less civilized brethren.

However much we mav regret it, we are not surprised that the benevolent object, of the learned author has, hitherto, been disappointed. It was Mr. Mauxsell's intention to devote any profit that might arise from the work in aid of the bui ding of a Native chapel at \\ aikato Heads. With the enormous expense of printing, and with a very limited reading population, an immediate profitable, or even a remunerating circu ation, could scarcely be looked for; but, ds our numbers increase, the sa'e of the work will augment, and will ultimately, we feel assured, at least re-imburse the cost of its publication. In one respect the author is sure of his reward:—whether profitable or not in a pecuniary point of view.t e work lias already rendered essential service to many, in assisting them to acquire a Grammatical knowledge of the New Zea'and Language; and the mere publication of such a work cannot fail to exercise, though indirectly, a favourable influence on the socia' condition of the New Zealanders. Mr. Maunskll will enjoy the satisfaction cf knowing that he has materially assis ed in promoting the preser ation and advancement of the nati.e race. With the favourable opinions that have a ready been expressed by competent judges of the first three numbers < f the Grammar, we will content oursehes with expressing our entire concurrence. We have reason to believe that the concluding number will be by far the most valuable, and would earnestly recommend our readers, without delay, to take the necessary steps for securing its immediate publication.