MAORI, GRAMMAR.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 1, Issue 7, 21 December 1842, Page 2

MAORI GRAMMAR.

By The Rev. R. Maunsell, THE heavy loss which has attended the publishing of the previous parts of this work, has obliged the Author to desist for the present, from proceeding any further with it. It is not, however, without reluctance, that he has felt himself compelled to this step, beleiving, as he does, that such a work will be useful to the General Settler, as well as to those who may be, in other ways, connected with the Aborigines.

The friends therefore of Maori studies, and of the Aborigines, are respectfully informed, that if a sufficient number of Subscribers can be obtained to cover the Expense of Printing the Fourth and last Part, the Author will feel much pleasure in committing it to the Press. This portion of the Work contains many new views on Maori, which have not heretofore been generally known, and which it is believed, will be of material importance to all who desire to obtain a sound knowledge of genuine Maori. It will be larger in size than the other Parts, and will be Three Shillings to Subscribers. The following testimonials to the merits of the Parts already published, are here submitted to the Public:

“For the purpose of advancing towards a more correct and idiomatic knowledge of the Maori, I have found, and do daily find, its assistance quite invaluable. Your exertions to supply a deficiency which was keenly felt by every Student of the Maori tongue, cannot fail to be highly appreciated both here and at home,” W. Martin, Esq. Chief Justice of New Zealand.

“It is the only Work which has ever been published, that is calculated to give a sound and critical knowledge of Maori. I have constant reference to it in the publication of the Maori Gazette and at all times find it an invaluable assistant,” — G. Clarke , Esq., Aboriginal Protector. “ To allow you to suffer loss, by the publication of your valuable Grammar, would be to suffer our justice to be called in question.”— Rev. A. N. Brown, Sen. Missionary of the Southern District. “I wish you could afford to carry on your work to another Part, and take in Prosody, the Native Waita’s, Proverbs, &c.; but I must not dictate. You have done well, and your Work deserves the praise and encouragement of every one who feels an interest in the Natives and their language.”— Rev. J. Whitely , Sen. Wesleyan Missionary of the Southern District,

The following was received from another able and zealous Student of Maori, the Senior Church Missionary, in the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson, shortly after the announcement of the Work ;

“I am very glad to hear that you are preparing a Grammar of the Language, as I think it is much needed. It will, I think, have a good sale in Wellington, I have already given them my opinion of your qualifications for such a performance,’’-— Rev. Octavious Hadfield.

To all the other friends, who have signified to the Author, their approbation of his labours, he desires to return many acknowledgments, and particularly to the Missionaries of the Wesleyan Society, whose aid has been as liberal as their encouragement was kind. To Dr. Davies also, (late of Shortland Crescent, now of Queen street), he is under many obligations for the ready and gratuitous assistance he has afforded in furthering the sale of the work.

Persons wishing to subscribe, will please send the amount of their Subscriptions to Dr. Davies, Queen street. If a sufficient number of Subscriptions cannot be procured betore the First of next April, the Money will be returned to the Subscribers.