determinations known, that no one can speak to me about going back, and I am glad to say a few families are encouraged in their desire to remain from the decided step I have taken.

"The land is a goodly land, and needs nothing but a contented mind, a persevering spirit, and a grateful heart, to render it productive and pleasant."

The next communication is from His Excellency Sir W. Denison, Governor-General of New South Wales, in which jurisdiction Norfolk Island is included. It was written on his voyage back to Sydney, and in it he relates the settlement on the island of a schoolmaster; describes the profits of the whale fishery; and deems it indispensable that the funds arising from this and other sources should be placed in more competent hands than those of the magistrate, who was too liable to be imposed on by the traders who touched at the island:

"MY DEAR ADMIRAL,

"H.M.S. 'Cordelia,' July 7th, 1859.

"I told you in my last letter what I was about to do with the men sent out to me for Norfolk Island. I must now give you some account of the state of the island itself, from which I am now returning.

"I embarked on board the Cordelia' on the 16th June, and had a rough passage of eight days to the island. I had despatched a schooner with the new settlers on the 13th, and found that they had arrived but one day before me. They had been kindly welcomed by the people, most of whom were busily engaged in shipping their oil on board the schooner which I had

chartered. I found that the great proportion of the people were well satisfied with their position and prospects. Thirty-three of the men had associated themselves, and by clubbing their means had purchased two boats and whaling gear from an American whaler. They had then gone energetically into the business of bay whaling, and had killed whales enough to furnish fourteen tons of oil, which at present prices may be worth nearly 5007. This success has given them a stimulus, and they have now four boats and the necessary gear; are looking anxiously for the approach of the whales; and expect to reap a good harvest from them this year. I have warned them that they must not expect to be so successful hereafter, for that the whales will, as is the case on the coast of Australia and Van Diemen's Land, desert a spot where they are constantly chased; but I am very glad that they have been stimulated to active exertion, for the energy which takes them after the whales will, when these are gone, find some field for its exertion on the island itself. Some have already commenced to manufacture dripstones, which sell well in the adjacent colonies; some have commenced the manufacture of soap; others are looking forward to a profitable trade with new Zealand in oranges and lemons; in fact, as regards the men, I am satisfied with their progress. I wish I could say the same with regard to the women; they, with one or two exceptions, do not appear to me nearly so civilised as the men. They approach nearer the Tahitian type; and, as we must look to the women to give the first tone to the children, I should wish to see a great improvement in manner,

appearance, and information. I trust, however, that Mr. Rossiter's presence will do a great deal for them. Hitherto the school has been but a trifling advantage, but now that Mr. Rossiter has taken it in hand I have a right to expect a great change for the better. I have arranged with him to take three pupil teachers, to whom he is to give an extra hour's instruction daily. He is to make the school to a certain extent industrial, to give the children a garden as a reward for industry, and to bestow prizes, not for the purpose of exciting emulation but as a reward to all who do their work well. The pupil-teachers at the end of four years will, if they behave well, have some useful gift made to them, such as a cow or calf. The girls will have instruction in needle-work, &c., as I propose to pay out of the school fees the salary of a schoolmistress, who will attend in the afternoon for a couple of hours, and who will be aided by Mrs. Rossiter and her sisters.

"I found that two families had gone back to Pitcairn Island, and I heard that three more were contemplating a similar move. At a general meeting of the people I spoke strongly to them, pointing out to them the folly, nay the sin, which they were committing in throwing aside for themselves as well as for their children the means of living which had been provided for them, and I warned them that I should not in any way countenance or assist them in removing; that I should put a condition of residence in the grant of land which I was prepared to make to them, and should prohibit any alienation of this land to any but inhabitants of the island. I felt the more bound to do this as I found