Totnes, May 18/16
Rev Sir
	In reading the accounts in the Missionary Registers for the two last years, which have been given by the Revd Mr Marsden of the improving state of the New Zealanders,— and among other things that the Cultivation of wheat was making progress among them through the Example of Duaterra a Native Prince— Having also observed that Mr Marsden had sent him a Mill for the purpose of grinding his Corn and considering how essentially necessary it is for the encouragement of agriculture among a savage People, that every means should be afforded them of speedily converting [f] their wheat into flour, and that too by the most simple and easy process— I have ventured to suggest to the Church Missionary Society through you, that in the next investment of tools and other necessaries which may be made by the Society for the Inhabitants of New Zealand a small stone Hand Mill such as was anciently, and is still in use among the Inhabitants of Syria would be a most acceptable addition. The same sort of Mill is still in use among the Islanders of the Western Islands and if I mistake not is mentioned & described by Mr Pennant in his Tour to the Hebrides— The form of it as well as I can recollect (for I have not the description [f] at hand) is that of a circular stone trough, in which is fitted another stone with grooves at the edge for the corn to pass down. The upper stone is impelled round or from right hand to left by means of a handle inserted in the stone, and the corn when ground passes out of the trough through a hole in the centre— It appears to me that if a Mill of this description was sent out to New Zealand, as a Pattern, the Natives might very soon, by the help of a Chizel form others resembling it which would answer  their Purpose very well— I believe the Mill in question is called a Quarme in the Western islands— The operator sits down and works it between his Knees— Any Gentlemen conversant with the Western Islands wd procure further information on the Subject—
Your Obt Servt R.H.