Papers Past | Letters and Diaries | The Papers of Sir Donald McLean | Series 2 Inward letters (Maori) | 3 pages written 24 Oct 1852 by Parata Paritutu in Hoewaka to Sir Donald McLean in , related to...

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English

Maori

There is much derision from the people who were obstinate over the land, because I have not yet got the payment in my hand. If you were still here, the people's derision would be less, because of the death of my father, over the delay in the settlement. Hence I thought that you and Cooper might sort out some procedure for me to raise my spirits, and so that we, who are with you, may enjoy the authority of our custom, and of yours, and to relieve us from the derisive words against us. So, don't you, you and the Governor, hold back on some resolution for us. Friend, McLean, could you and the Governor also acknowledge the last words of our father as he left the world? He said, 'Son, let the Pakeha take the land for they will be as parents for you ever hereafter.' So this is my thinking too, the principle that my father left behind him in the world for us, in memory of him. Friend, McLean, what is to be given for Ahiaroa[?] and Uenuku, now that our father has died? If you arrange that solution for us, then we will uphold it. But I am thinking that you might now give me some portion, because I am in great grief and because you gave him no consideration, and now he is dead. It is up to you to authorise my suggestion; those resisting [sale of land] also have the intention of having their suggestion authorised. You and I would not empower their proposal, they can keep theirs, and you and I ours. They are not in with you, but my father and I were in with you, but now he has died. Hence my idea, but don't say, 'It is up to the people to approve your idea. Friend, my father has died, so should we likewise let the land[?] die?

Ka nui te whakapehapeha o nga tangata whakapakeke i te whenua, mo te mea kahore ano i mau noa nga utu ki toku ringa. Mehemea i konei ano koe, e kore e nui te whakapehapeha a nga tangata ki te matenga o taku matua, o te roa hoki o te tikanga. No konei au i whakaaro ai kia whakaritea e korua ko Te Kupa i tetahi tikanga ki au kia ora ai taku ngakau, kia haria ano hoki matou, te hunga i roto i a koutou, ki te mana o ta matou tikanga, o to koutou ano hoki, kia haria ai matou i runga i nga kupu whakapehapeha ma matou. Otira, kaua e kaiponuhia e koe tetahi tikanga ki a matou e korua tahi ko Kawana. E hoa, e Makarini, ki[a] mana i a korua ko Kawana te kupu poroporoaki a to matou matua i waiho ake e ia i te ao? E mea ana tana kupu, 'E tama, ki[a] riro te oneone i te Pakeha, ko nga Pakeha hei matua mou ake tonu atu.' Koia tenei ko toku whakaaro tenei, ko te tikanga a toku matua i waiho ake e ia i te ao ma taua, e mahara ki a ia. E hoa, Makarini, he aha te tukunga iho mo Ahiaroa raua ko Uenuku, kua mate nei to taua matua? Kia whakarite e koe taua tikanga ki a matou, e, kia kaha taua ki runga ki taua tikanga. Otira, e mea ana au kia homai inaianei tetahi wahi ki au, mo te mea e nui ana te mamae i toku ngakau, ta te mea kahore tetahi wahi aroha e koutou ki a ia, a mate noa tona tinana. Kei a koe ano te whakaaro ki te mana o taku kupu; kei te hunga pakeke ano te whakaaro ki te mana ta ratou kupu. E kore taua e w[h]a[ka]mana i ta ratou tikanga, ma ratou ano ta ratou, ma taua ano ta taua. Ehara ratou i roto i a koe, ko maua ko taku matua to roto i a koe, a mate noa ia. Koia taku e whakaaro nei, kei mea koe, 'Tena na te tangata e tika ai ta koutou whakaaro'. E hoa, kua mate taku matua, waihoki kia mate te wanua[whenua?] i a taua.

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