REWI’S DEFECTION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume I, Issue 32, 9 December 1879, Page 3

REWI’S DEFECTION.

(By Telegraph.)

Wellington, Dec. 8.

The “New Zealander” publishes the following : —“Major Te Wheoro has just received a letter from one of his principal people in the Waikato. Among other matters its contains information with regard to the reason which led Rewi to leave ids settlement at Ponui, where he proposed to reside permanently among the Europeans, and to go back to his old settlement at Te Kuati. At the time Manga (Rewi) left Ponui for To Kuati, several of his people who were here in Wellington were greatly alarmed, not merely because of Manga going from Ponui to Te Kuati, but the fact that instead of going overland on horseback by the inland route, lie went by trap through the settled district of Waikato, and took his departure by canoe from Alexandra, a frontier town, and the nearest European settlement to the King country. With this explanation a letter which we have referred to will be intelligible. The letter is as follows :

“ Te Wheoro, 2bth month (Nov.) Manga left by canoe from here for Te Kuati. This is the word spoken by Manga on his departure from Alexandra. A word spoken to both Europeans and Maoris. He said ; “I will now listen to the words of Tawhaio. I will never consent to see the present Governor, nor will I again return to dwell amongst Europeans. I leave it with those persons who have abused Grey to see how they can manage affairs in.my absence.” The word of Manga to us was ‘ ‘Horupeo poroporoake. ’ ’ It is a farewell word to us and to Europeans. “ Kupu horoporo ” is a native word for the last words spoken by a chief before he dies, of which there is one very well known instance in Manning’s “Old New Zealand. ” When a chief is on his death bed, this last word is listened for eagerly by the whole tribe It is supposed to prophetical of the future destiny of the people whom the dying chief leaves behind.