Bay of Islands Decr 1. 1818
Revd Sir,
	In answer to your enquiry respecting the Number of axes & c±a± required by this settlement for purchasing from the natives such things as we want to eat, and for the purpose of agriculture for one year, we beg leave tol state, that the following articles, viz
	200 English falling axes
	100 small broad Axes weight from 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 lb each
	200 English Hoes
	6 cwt of bar iron for flat Tokees
       Some fish hooks, and a few adzes, spades, scissors
& ca as convenient to send, would in our opinion be sufficient, whilst the settlement remains as it is now, and that we could generally procure therewith all needful supplies except in such cases as when the natives can dispose of their property for muskets and powder. On these occasions the ordinary course of the support of such settlers as have not these [f] articles in their possession must necessarily be suspended. It may be necessary to observe that the New Zealanders here having been so well supplied with all kinds of axes, hoes and different articles of english iron mongery during the past four years, nothing but good english axes, adzes, hoes & ca will now obtain amongst them, they are also so much enlightened and so well skilled in bartering that it is almost useless sending axes and articles of barter of an inferior quality or make. We believe that an english axe is worth more than three of the same size made at Port Jackson. The Natives will not bring their property for sale for the latter in sufficient quantities, they will sooner reserve it for shipping. We wish for no bill hooks or battle axes except you have any already in the Society’s store as they are used only as savage weapons. Small broad axes are a good article. We want no beads. [f]
	In our way of dividing all such stores as are sent for the settlement, it has already been remarked to you, that each man, woman, and child has a fair proportion, and after such distribution has been made we wish to inform you that it has been our practice to act as individual settlers, and not as a body. There is no extra support allowed by the body of settlers to any individual settler for the exercise of his own particular calling and although we perfectly agree in opinion, that neither the spinning of twine or flax, the sawing of timber, the management of a school or any other branch of employment can be carried on  at all without extra support, yet we leave it to every professional man to stgate the nature and the amolunt of his wants tol you and we request you to consider partikcularly this, and afford him separate supplies otherwise he will fail [f] in the duty he has undertaken to perform. We remain, Revd Sir your very obedient Servants
Signed by all the 
Missionary Settlers
Revd S. Marsden
A true Copy Thos Kendall