Bay of Islands October 16 1816 Revd and dear Sir, By the Divine care and goodness I and my family have been preserved in peace and safety nearly two years at New Zealand, and altho’ my time has hitherto been very much occupied in mechanical pursuits yet I bless God I have with the assistance of Mr Carlisle been enabled to attend to my main object “the Instruction of the children”. I send you a copy of the New Zealander’s First Book not knowing whether Mr Marsden forwarded any of them to Mr Pratt at the time they were printed. Defective as it is I think you will be glad to see it and as I know you will feel warmly interested in every thing that relates to the Society’s School which I have the honor and happiness to superintend, I shall feel a pleasure as it pleases Almighty God to spare me with life, in transmitting through your hands to the Honorable Committee such remarks as may be calculated to shew its state, and commence by observing that on [f] Monday the 12th day of August last which was the Birth Day of the Prince regent the School was opened for the reception of the Native children. From the inclosed “Lists” you will learn the names, and number of children which have been admitted. At Day break or a little after they rise and are taught their lessons in the alphabet and monosyllables &c. They then generally leave the School and repair to the river or bush in pursuit of fish, fern root, cockles &c, in the evening, and after repeating their lessons retire to rest. They are so very lively and playful that it is not easy to gain their attention. But these obstacles will I have no doubt be surmounted in time. The Active being this Voyage bound for Otaheite as usual, and Mr Marsden being unacquainted with the progress of the School we have it not in our power to contribute any thing towards its support, but when I have the pleasure of hearing from him and he sends us some supplied for the School, I trust we shall be enabled to arrange it better, and keep the children [f] in the Day time, at least those that are very young. We can never collect them together regularly every day, or keep them after they are collected without we have victuals to give them. A portion of rice or any thing that can be procured at a low price at Port Jackson, with such other necessary provisions as we can obtain from the natives will do very well provided there is no private trade carried on amongst us, and the settlement is put upon regular ration [sic] as the Surplus of the pork, potatoes &ca might then go towards the support of the School. But if private trade is carried on, and persons here import articles of Barter from England or Port Jackson exclusive of what is sent for the general support of the Settlement, we must depend chiefly upon receiving supplies for the School from Port Jackson. Some trifling articles to present as rewards occasionally to these poor children would have a good effect. The authority of a teacher must be maintained and his influence promoted amongst the children under his care. The heart which God has graciously filled with Compassion for the heathen will bear with patience their rude manners, but will desire nevertheless to improve them. When [f] a teacher amongst the heathen (for it could not be endured in civilized society) is surrounded by a number of children, and perhaps while one is repeating his lesson, another will be playing with his feet, another taking away his hat and another, his book and all this in a friendly manner, he cannot be angry at them, yet it requires some study how to introduce a salutary discipline; and this is what we want here. And it is our opinion that a judicious distribution of rewards according to merit will tend to conciliate the children, attach them to us, promote their industry and attention, and induce them to take greater notice of our mild reproofs when they disobey us. It is remarkable that amongst our applicants for the greatest number are females, and as we cannot reject the Boys both sexes are therefore together at present. This is a serious inconvenience which I trust we shall shortly have it in our power to remedy, but it can not well be done now. I expect the Active from Otaheite every day, and that my colleague Mr Carlisle will leave me for a time, and I shall be alone, I must wait with patience until he returns with his family. He will [f] then assist me to keep the Boys apart from the Girls. Another school House must be built, and I trust my friend Mr Marsden will give instructions to this effect. I beg leave to refer you to my Letter to Mr Pratt for particulars not noticed here. You will, and I believe all my friends near you will rejoice with me at the opening prospects of usefulness amongst this noble race. I trust the Society will be the means, under God, of raising the People of New Zealand from their low degraded condition by reason of their ignorance of Him, and of conferring eternal blessings upon many. When I left London, it was expected I should reside at New South Wales for a term of three years before I embarked again for this place. I had therefore no particular instructions from Mr Pratt how I was to support a School here, neither has Mr Marsden expressed himself fully, to m e upon this subject. At present, now I have every thing ready, as I have mentioned above, my hands are completely tied up. Through the perverseness of the Smith I have not been able to obtain a single [f] article of trade for some months past either for myself or to purchase a little fish or fern root for these poor children that are about me. I write to Mr Pratt, by this conveyance recommending him to send all the supplies of Trade which he can from England ( provided he can procure a conveyance). We can not get a regular supply of axes &c from Port Jackson and except we can always have trade in hand, I am afraid our usefulness will be chekked [sic] exceedingly. You can assist me greatly by putting Mr Pratt and the Committee in mind of the real necessity of attending to my observations. I think the School at least can be provided for without hurting the feelings of Mr Marsden to whom great credit is due, but who alas! Is so overwhelmed with cares that I cannot really expect he can afford me steady support. I believe also Mr marsden is greatly imposed upon by the people of port Jackson in many articles he sends out to us, as he is in the Iron sent out. I desire to bless God that I and my family still continue to enjoy a good state of health. I had a hard struggle for [f] my Life a few months ago, but the conflict has been sharper within me. Satan has been at hand. His first object has been to divide, and then to destroy. But the Lord Jesus has been mindful of his work and will not suffer it to fall to the ground. My Dear Sir I trust you will still continue to remember me at the throne of Grace. I am utterly unworthy of the favors which the Lord in his rich mercy has been pleased to confer upon me. And am, Revd and Dear Sir Your faithful Servant Thos Kendall Revd Basil Woodd Paddington— Suitable Articles to present as rewards Fish Hooks, Beads, combs for the hair, Scarlet and yellow coloured worsted Binding (broad). Common Earrings And rings with and without stones of Various colours Clasp knives (Large) Scissors (large) Plane Irons, Broad Chisels primers Three square files Thimbles, needles, knitting needles, Boys Whistles, Bird calls. Or any other Toys that will take little room (made of Iron)