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PREFACE.

THIS Work was undertaken at the request of the Secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, and is intended to form one of the series of "Annals of the Colonial Church."

It has been the aim of the Editors to present, in a short but comprehensive form, a connected account of the progress of Christianity in New Zealand, from its first introduction in 1814 to the date of the latest intelligence from the colony. The first part of the Work is principally compiled from the letters of the Missionaries, which have been published at different times since the establishment of the Mission.

The letters of the Bishop of New Zealand to the Society, and to his family in England, which have already been published, and constitute Numbers 4, 7, 8, and 12 of " Church in the Colonies," have been abridged, and form a considerable portion of the present Work.

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The general details respecting the colony are principally derived from the despatches printed by order of the House of Commons.

For the particulars relating to the Plants and Trees of New Zealand, the Editors are indebted to the kindness of Sir W. Hooker, who placed at their disposal a valuable MS. drawn up by Mr. Cunningham, and who has also revised that portion of the Work.

The Illustrations are principally copied (on a reduced scale) from the magnificent work of Mr. G. F. Angas, "New Zealand Illustrated;" Mr. M'Lean, the publisher of that work, having kindly permitted the Editors to make this use of it.

RICHMOND, SURREY,
July, 1847.

C. J. S. & L. F. S.

(1) Published by M'Lean, Haymarket: London, fol. 12 Parts.

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