COPY OF A LETTER FROM JOSEPH HUDGELL TO HIS PARENTS IN

LONDON. |

Wellington, April 13^th 1841

Auckland, River Thames, New Zealand, Feb. 15, 1841.

Dear Parents,—I could not at this time abstain from writing without violating the duties and obligations which are incumbent upon me. Most sincerely do I wish that I could have written to you before; but being so embarrassed, and in an ill state of health, I had not the lea6t opportunity of doing so. Our ship sailed from the Downs the 7th of . July, and arrived in Port Nicholson the 17th of November, after a sail of 18 weeks on the ocean, without meeting any homeward bound ship or putting in any port. We had a beautiful passage until we got past the equinoctial line; the rest of our passage was very rough: twice we expected to lose our lives, not knowing one moment from another but what we should all go to the bottom; and if you could have witnessed this spectacle it would have made the heart that is as hard as a millstone kneel down and implore the forgiveness of the Almighty; but through his interference in our preservation we all got safe to land. We were put on shore after being in port four days. We were all put into huts erected for the purpose, eight families in each. I was very fortunate, for the very same day I landed I got employment to help a man to build a stack of chimnies which lasted a fortnight; but I was well paid. 1 received £3 a week. After this I went as labourer for six shillings per day, until a gentleman offered me 25 shillings per week, board and lodging, at Auckland, to serve him for six months, which offer I accepted, and now am fulfilling. Now to say a little about the country and its inhabitants: As to the country, you can have no conception, unless you picture to yourself an immense lot of mountains covered with wood, with here and there a hut built of clay and rushes, which the natives are very expert in. As to the climate, it is very fine  we have here nine months' summer; at the time 1 am now writing it is so intensely hot that it is with difficulty I can bear a pair of trowsers and shirt on. There are two months in the year that we have excessive rain B for days and nights together.

The natives are a free, sociable set of people: occasionally as I pass their huts I am invited to partake food with them, which at first I was very unwilling to do, but getting more used to them I now comply. They are easily led away by any guady toy, which they are utter strangers as to the value of, and will give anything to be possessed of what is showy. They are a tall race of people, stout in proportion, and very strong, but not very willing to work unless they are paid an exorbitant price for it, and are very fond of bartering: so much for the natives. •

At the place I am now writing, which is Auckland, situated 500 miles from Port Nicholson, there are about 200 white people, and twice as many natives. You would think it very strange that so few people could support one another, but they are most of them capitalists, and can command a little money. Some of them ship-owners. Any one that comes out here need not be afraid of starving, as there is plenty of work and good wages. Mechanics' wages are ten shillings per day, labourers, six shilling per day. We get nothing but pork to eat; no change of diet whatever at present ; but as soon as Government sells the land we expect tie place will be altered for the better, at which time my term will be expired. The only thing that I regret coming out is that I have ao friend that I can speak to, for here they are all utter strangers to me  and another thing that I have so few tools, for I cannot get tools for love or money, unless I send to Sydney for some that will cost me six times the value of them. I am in hopes that in a few years I shall be able to go lack to England, please God to spare my life, for I am very anxious to save every shilling I can scrape together. I have not tasted a drop of spirits or malt liquor for two months, and I find myself much healthier than if I took them. When I think of this place, and compare it with my home that I have left, it drives me to despair. I sit down for hours and am quite melancholy, and form a resolution to persevere, for there is nothing done without perseverance.

And now, dear parents, I must conclude; one thing more I have to say, that is, if any one that was acquainted with me should feel disposed to visit this place, I should be most happy to see them, and guarantee to find them employment, for I think that in a short time this island will be the best one in the whole of New Zealand.

And now, dear parents, farewell.—Give my love to all my sisters, more especially to Ann and Elizabeth; tell them that I am very anxious to hear from them  likewise to all my aunts, for I know that they would like to know that I was doing well; and Oh ! that I had took their advice.

And may the Lord bless and preserve you, and keep you in health and spirits until he may think fit to call you to himself.—I remain, yours ever," Joseph Hudgell.

Please to let me have a letter as soon as possible, as 1 am very anxious to hear from home.

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