CHAPTER XVII. Second visit to New Zealand—Passengers—New aspect of things at Kororadika—A native Village—Domestic habits—Principal chiefs of the Bay of Islands — Influence of colonization on the native character. In the March of 1840, I again visited New Zealand. At this time, vessels were dispatched there from the Austra lian colonies in greater numbers than at any previous period, freighted with merchandise, and in some cases with sheep and cattle, for the supply of the increasing population of the Bay of Islands and Port Nicholson. From the large number of cattle that was shipped for these ports, it appeared that the scarcity of natural pas ture in New Zealand was unknown to the graziers and merchants of New South Wales. Owing, therefore, to the scarcity of grass in the immediate vicinity of Port Nicholson, many of the cattle which arrived there were driven to the Mount Egmont and Taranaki districts. We had on board of the “ Delhi” about seventy cabin and steerage passengers, including several very respectable families, a fair proportion of mechanics and labourers, and several young men of good education, proceeding to the new colony with indefinite views, such as the hope of