THE CHIEFS OF AHURIRI AND THE HAU HAU FANATICISM.

Evening Post, Issue 42, 28 March 1865, Page 2

THE CHIEFS OF AHURIRI AND THE HAU HAU FANATICISM.

The following very satisfactory correspondence has been published in the Hawks' Bay Herald of 25th March. :— Pakowhai, March 20, 1865. Sir,— Salutations to you. We enclose a letter to the Governor, which we wish you to send to the " Waka Maori," that it may be read by our Maori friends. Will you also translate and send it to the English newspaper, that our Pakeha f riends may also see it ; and then send the original on to the Governor. From your Bincere friends, Karaitiana Takamoava, And four others. To Mit. Cooper. Pakowhai, March 20, 1865. From the whole meeting at Pakowhai assembled on the occasion of the arrival of parties of the Ngatitoa, Te Atiawa, and Ngatiraukawa, and from the Chiefs of Heretaunga. Sir— This is a letter to express to you our vexatiou at the wicked doings of the Hau hau which has been prepetrated in this Island. We had already expressed our displeasure at its being carried about and taught in our villages, and we told them to take it back to the land from whence it came and carry it on there. But now that we hare heard of the murder of the Rev. Mr. Volkner at Opotiki, we are overwhelmed with vexation and horror, for now at last has the most frightful murder been perpetrated in New Zealand (katahi ano hoki te tinana o te kohuru whakahouhou rawa ka kitea ki Nui Tireni). There were plenty of armed men with whom they might have fought if they wanted to show their bravery ; instead of which they turn upon a defenceless and innocent man, upon their own father, like a miserable coward turning his weapon against his own fathe r who had nourished him. Those murderers, by travelling through the country of other tribes, have saved themselves, and have obtained time to spread about their doctrines. For had they come this way we should have seized them and with our own hands handed them over to you. But as they have not yet come, we have laid down the above rule for our conduct with regard to those bearers of Pakeha'a heads through our places, and if they resist us, we will not spare them, we will kill them. We wish to express to you and the people our unmeasured distress at the doings of Ot f country. Not satisfied with fighting with men, they actually attempt to fight against '

God, and are working downwards ayain to the deeds of the darkest times. But do not suppose that this wicked course is general, for there are many tribes who will stnnd aloof from such wickedness. And may God preserve and keep them. That is all. From your friends. Karaitiana (Ngatikahungunu) And from all of us