NATIVE LETTER FROM THE NGATIPAOA.

Press, Volume VIII, Issue 849, 20 July 1865, Page 2

NATIVE LETTER FROM THE NGATIPAOA.

[No. 1-3 Waipapa, Auckland, June 9,1865. Fetend Fitz Gerald,— Salutations. Turn towards mc and hear my speech —a good speech. My heart is looking at the dignity of the word of Governor Grey, in his proclamation. This word:—l will protect the people who sit peaceably—who rebel not. The second :—I will protect them in the possession of their lands and their effects. Stop here. Now! hear the boundaries of the confiscated land:—

Beginning with Tau, in the Wairoa, stretching to Tetibi, of Wharekewa, on to Tuahuorue, thence to Maiapu, to Pukorokoro to Rataroa, to Hapua Kohi, thence onward, onward, onward. Hear, then. The reason of the confiscation of the above territory is for the punishment of the sins of Waikato. Is this right according to the law ?

Hear. The above land does not belong only to the fighting Maoris, but part of it to the noncombatants. Now, to my mind, this is wrong. To my mind, it is right to take only what belongs to the hostile party. But the other way, it may be, is right according to your principles. To my thought; if a man sin, let him be arrested; he will not be condemned by the mere arrest, he will be judged according to the law; if the law convicts, he is sentenced. To my mind, this is right. In like manner, if a dispute arise respecting land, let it be decided by the law; if the law confiscate, it is right to do so. Now, here is some land; some go to fight, others sit quietly; let the land then be divided ; let the law do it. A.gain; here is some land. The many went to fight; only one remained in peace. Now, out of that land let the law do justice to that one man.

This is all. I wish you to consider it. It may be my thought is in error. From your friend, WIEEMU HOETE, [WrLMAM JOWETT,] And all the Ngatipaoa.