Papers Past | Letters and Diaries | The Papers of Sir Donald McLean | Series 2 Inward letters (Maori) | 2 pages written 18 May 1852 by Hone Ropiha in Waiwakaiho to Sir George Grey, related to Whanganui

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English

Maori

Waiwakaiho 18 May 1852 Go out, my good wishes, and speak to the Governor. Greetings to you, to you and McLean. Your letter has come to us, to the people of this settlement, concerning the assessors who are to find good solutions for settling troubles caused by the people [who are living] among the Pakeha. This is a very good position, having a person to set out procedures in accordance with the faith and laws of God. Friend, Governor, I've a question for you about the reason for the appointment of Te Waka and Hone Ropiha. Their names went into the government document of the 6th of April 1850. That was done and that is why, in my opinion, they still stand in with the twelve assessors. Friend, Governor Grey, think seriously about Te Waka and Hone. Listen, they are also guardians of the town. You two have agreed to Ihaia and Paora. And you have dropped those we approved, Raniera and Iharaira. Te Waka and Hone Ropiha, you two have again appointed as assessors. Hence I say that they are still in with the twelve; you two should consider this. Friend, Governor, I will not cease my intention to keep a look out for crimes by the tribe [as they live] among the Pakeha. I will be as a rock which, when the tide washes over it, does not disappear. The solution for the people is to behave as in the articles of the faith - with goodness,

Waiwakaiho 18 Mei 1852 Haere atu ra, e toku aroha, mea atu ki a Kawana. Tena ra koe, korua ko Te Makarini. Kua tae mai ta korua pukapuka ki a matou, ki nga tangata o tenei kainga, mo nga kaiwhakawa hei rapu i nga tikanga pai hei whakarite i nga he o te iwi i waenganui o nga Pakeha; e turanga pai rawa tenei, te tangata e whakarite ana i nga tikanga o te whakapono ki nga ture hoki o te Atua. E hoa, e te Kawana, he ui atu tenei naku ki a koe ki te tikanga mo Te Waka raua ko Hone Ropiha, i whakaturia nei raua. Kua tae atu nei o raua ingoa ki te pukapuka o te Kawanatanga i te ono o nga ra, 6 o Aperira, i te tau tahi mano waru rau e rima tekau, 1850. Kua mutu, koia raua, ki taku whakaaro, kei te tu tonu raua i roto i te tekau ma rua o nga kaiwhakawa. E hoa, e Kawana Kerei, kia ata whakaaro mai koe ki a Te Waka raua ko Hone. Kia rongo mai koe, ko nga kaitiaki ano tenei o te taone. Kua whakaae mai na korua ki a Ihaia raua ko Paora. Kua taka mai na i a korua a maua i whakarite ai a Raniera a Iharaira. Ko Te Waka raua ko Hone Ropiha, na korua ano enei i whakatu hei kaiwhakawa. Koi au ka mea ai kei roto ano raua i te tekau ma rua; titiro mai korua mo tenei. E hoa, e Kawana, e kore e mutu taku whakaaro ki te titiro i nga he o te iwi, i waenganui o nga Pakeha. Ano he toka e tu ana, ka pari te tai e kore e ngaro. Ko te ritenga tenei mo te tangata, e whakarite ana i nga tikanga o te whakapono, o te pai, o

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