But the British Angel of Annexation was
already hovering over the land, although she had not as yet alighted
on it.
At this time the shores of New Zealand were infested with captains.
There was a Captain Busby, who was called British Resident, and,
unfortunately for our seamen, Captain McDonnell had been appointed
Additional British Resident at Hokianga a few weeks previously. So
far he had been officially idle; there was no business to do, no
chance of his displaying his zeal and patriotism. Moreover, he had
no pay, and apparently no power and no duties. He was neither a
Governor nor a Government, but a kind of forerunner of approaching
empire--one of those harmless and far-reaching tentacles which the
British octopus extends into the recesses of ocean, searching for
prey to satisfy the demands of her imperial appetite.
McDonnell was a naval lieutenant; had served under the East India
Company; had smuggled opium to China; had explored the coasts of New
Zealand; and on March 31st, 1831, had arrived at Hokianga from Sydney
in the 'Sir George Murray', a vessel which he had purchased for 1,300
pounds. He brought with him his wife, two children, and a servant,
but took them back on the return voyage. He was now engaged in the
flax and kauri pine trade.
The 'Industry' had scarcely dropped her anchor before the Additional
Resident boarded her.
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