here were no judges, no magistrates,
no courts, and no police. 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. The pilot spoke to him and in a few words
informed him that Blogg, the master, had been pitched into the sea,
and explained in what manner he proposed to arrest the four seamen.
McDonnell understood, and agreed to the plan at once. He called to
the mate in a loud voice, and said: "I am sorry to hear that you
have lost the master of this vessel. I live at that house you see on
the rising ground, and I keep a list in a book of all vessels that
come into the river, and the names of the crews. It is a mere
formality, and won't take more than five minutes. So you will oblige
me, mate, by coming ashore with your men at once, as I am in a hurry,
and have other business to attend to." He then went ashore in his
boat. The mate and seamen followed in the ship's boat, and waited in
front of the Additional Resident's house. He had a visitor that
morning, the Pakeha Maori, Laming.

The men had not to wait long, as it was not advisable to give them
much time to think and grow suspicious. McDonnell came to the front