AHURIRI.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 3, 1 March 1855, Page 11

AHURIRI.

We understand that the Natives of Ahuriri have been particularly attentive to the Officers of Her Majesty's Ship `Pandora.' This intelligence is peculiarly gratifying, and we are proud in being able to record it. It would appear that provisions were supplied when required, and horses provided for the surveying parties, but no demand whatever was made on the part of the Natives. Such praiseworthy conduct as this, is calculated to remove the stigma that has been cast upon the national character of the Natives in reference to their covetous disposition, and the utter absence of all disinterestedness. Can it with propriety be said, that the people of Ahuriri are " the most covetous tribe in the world ?" We trow not. We trust, too, that there are many such tribes in New Zealand. Acts of this kind are in accordance with ancient Maori custom, and we sincerely hope that such usages may never be relinquished by the Maori people. Many of them will doubtless say, " The Europeans have been urging us to abandon all our native customs, and now we are told that they are to be cherished." We must confjss that there is seme justice in this remark. Too much has been said about sweeping away for ever all the native customs, and adopting those of the Europeans. But, let there be no misunderstanding upon this subject any longer. Once for all, we beg to inform the whole Maori nation, that every bad usage, whether of Native or European origin, should be discon tinued, but that every good one should be practically carried out.