Untitled

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 7, Issue 447, 19 December 1863, Page 3

Pawhakairo, October 19tiT1863. To Dr. Featherston, — / Friend, Salutations to you. Hearten. Ma.ny men assembled on Saturday, at the/Pawhakairo, to wait for you, as they wished/to hear what we had to say to you. When yoa' did not come, we were all dark (much annoyed). Enough We now send our letter after you. Friend, exert yourseir tv d.ooover the cause- of the war, which the Governor is now can-ying on in Waikato. The war we hear of, but-the cause we do not know. The Pakehas tell us that the causes were ambuscades, and murders on the part of the Maoris. We have not heard of those ambuscades arid murders. This was what we heard of. Rewi's demand for war, after Aporo had been apprehended and imprisoned. Rewi proposed then to fight, but it was disappproved by Matutaera, by Tamehana, by Te Paea, and the Chiefs of Waikato. In consequence of their strong opposition, Rewi desisted and he came to Taupo to the tangi for (the death of) Te Heuheu. On his return, he was met on the road by the news of the driving away of the Maoris from their land, of the crossing of Mangatawhiri by the troops, and of the death of Te Huirama. As our messenger, whom we sent for information about the Waikato war was returning, he met them on the road, and then they went to Meremere—Rewi himself, and his tribe the Ngatimaniapoto. The going of Taafci te Waru and Porokoru Titipa's party was not au unwarrantable act. They had beeu .requested by Mohi to follow him, after he had been expelled by the Governor. As for the driving away of the Government and all the pakehas, it was Rewi who called upon the Ngatimaniapoto drive them away. It was then that the Waikato commenced to find fault with Rewi. As for the stand made by Te Huirama at Te Koheroa. When it was seen that the soldiers had crossed Mangatawhiri, and that they were coming to fight the Waikatos, he stood forward to ward off the blow. We heard from the Pakehas that Rewi intended (or attempted) to murder the Governor, the time that ha went up the Waikato ; but we disbelieve it, for wa had from the Maoris a full account of the Governor's visit to Ngaruawahia, of hia viewing Potatau's grave, of Te Paea's weeping, and of Matutaera beiug followed, that he might como and see the Governor at. Ngaruawahia, How oomes it then that we were not told of Rewi's murderous intentions towards the Governor? We inform you ofthe things which we have heard that you may inquire and see whether they are correct or not, and then inform us, and show us what words caused the wrong. Enough. From your friends, Renata TAMA_-__HiKTJßA!irc.i Karaitiana Takamoana, WIBIHANA TOATOA.