BISPOP SELWYN AND THE NATIVES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 26, 26 December 1861, Page 5 (Supplement)

BISPOP SELWYN AND THE NATIVES.

** AA AJ JL A y -1 .i kj From llie Southern Cross, Dec. 6. The subjoined translation of a letter received by the Dev. Mr. Dieinenschneider from Erueti. a chief of M area, containing particulars of his lordship Bishop Selwyu’s passage through the Taranaki district, is taken from the Herald. The letter is interesting, as showing tiie feelings of the Southern natives. Comment is unnecessary. Though we believe that his lordship’s zeal in the cause of the natives Las unduly influenced him on many occasions during the late unfortunate period in the history of Now Zealand, we have always respected his motives, and the natives should have felt even stronger upon the subject than his warmest European friends. But the bad blood of the Southern marauders, the “black drop” in their veins, is showing itself unmistakeably in their actions now.

[translation.! A' _. 7.1 -1 L ~i t r. ■ warca, .nuvciaoei' io, IODi. To the Eimene, — * » « * « When the iiishop arrived at Tauamoua (Komeue’s village) ve forwarded to him our letter requesting him to return to the town, or else declare to us from that place (Tauamoua) the purpose of his visit, that we might know, for we knew not why he came. When the Bishop received our letter, he would not notice it, but trampled upon our good advice to him—that is he trampled upon our decision (that no pakeha should bo pennitted to pass)

which wo had decided upon, and which both your" self and Mr. Govett know of, and which is written in the letter to us from the north. Observe, all of you, peace has not been concluded with us—perhaps the blame rests with you and Mr. Govett, perhaps you did not toll the Bishop before he started. Perhaps ho trampled upon our word supposing that we should not probably turn him back. Do not say that wc saw the Bishop here at Wurea ; no, he went by, on his own way in haste {tahtti, to run away;] no doubt it was because ho had received our letter he would not see us. Sir, great was our striving that he should return peaceably—but he would not listen, he was very obstinate—therefore we know that lie is searching for evil (ye. lias some ulterior object) and that his visit is not for love of the gospel. Do not ask whose evil it is ? It is your own. If J were to intrude (pokanoaj upon you, and go to your town although I am a chief, my conduct would be wrong, I should be captured, because my going amongst you would be like that of a thief (.tahue.J You would not say to me, return, but you would at once make me a prisoner. When the Bishop got to Moutoti, w'e sent after him a young man to speak to him, and demand of him the reason of his conduct, and why he strongly persisted in goirg on. It was discussed, and on his proving still obstinate, his bundle and horse were demanded (tonoa) from him, in order that he might turn back to town. Well to this lie agreed, and consented to return to town from Moutoti, but desired to sleep there that night. It was allowed, and our joung men came back. The Bishop slept there two nights, but on the second morning he went on. Now, here his word proved false (tlto), for he gave his word he would return from Moutoti. His man took on his horse, but his bundle has been left behind, and this bundle has been detained for bis persistance fpakeJce) in wrong (he) —for his coming amongst us in our sourness (kaica) —for having gone on with a purpose to Wanganui, and when he reaches that place and returns to where you are, he will bring the pakehas to Tataraimaka with the goods taken by us by the edge of the sword, to be returned to them. This is our great cause for sourness, seeing as we do your false promises for you say that these things shall be discussed on the day the Governor arrives. You did not tell us that there would be a day for the Bishop. We asked the Bishop, “ Is it for you to finally conclude the work of the sword ?” He said “ No.” Therefore, we said to him, “ It is not proper for you to work a net for us in the path of the Gospel—such was yours and the Governor’s old custom. Sir, do not say any of you—whose are these wrong proceedings ? We say they are yours. We shall vet see your striving for a renewal of the war. From ERUETI.