JOURNEY

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VI, Issue 24, 30 November 1859, Page 4

JOURNEY

To Hauraki, Thames, Tauranga, Opotiki, Rotorua, Maungatautari, Waipa, and Waikato. I went to see the gold-field. It is chiefly in the forest, and is full of holes or pits, which are now full of water. In 1854 there were about 300 Pakehas searching there for gold, but they only remained three weeks, and then returned to Auckland. Some of them got much and some got little, but most of them did not get as much in a day as they could have earned by their ordinary work in town, so they left the gold fields. There is gold all over the world, but it is only in a few places where it is worked, not being sufficient in quantity. Our scientific men say that there is not likely to be so much gold at Waiau as at Nelson. But digging for gold, coal, and flag-stones is hard work for which Maories are not strong enough. When they try it they soon break down, owing chiefly to the want of proper food and clothing. But the best sort of gold for all men is what is contained in wheat, corn, potatoes, flax, wool, catile, and such things ; because you can always exchange them for money, and be sure of a profit for your labour. Think of that, and be industrious in cultivating your land, that you may obtain wealth for yourselves and your children. But never let us forget the true riches—laying up trea-

sure for ourselves in heaven, so that when this world is left behind we may all be possessed of everlasting life. In Coromandel there are about 250 Europeans, but there is not much available land for them to cultivate, nor, indeed, on this side of Hauraki, until you reach the Thames. The chiefs Moananui, Paora, Te Taniwha, and Taraia reside here, and are all very peaceable men. They once were a terror to the neighbouring tribes: for who indeed has not heard of the fame of Hauraki. But the arm of Gtd has broken down the old heathenism and they now live in peace with all men. Mr. Preece resides amongst them al Waiau, and while I was there fiishop Selwyn arrived and preached to the people, both native and European.. From this place 1 sailed in a vesssl to Kauwaeranga, at the mouth of the Thames, where Mr. Lanfear, the minister, resides. There is also a European shoemaker living here, whose lime is chiefly spent in making boots for the Maories, This is the settlement of the Ngatimaru and Ngatiwhanaunga. Te Hauauru Taipari is the assessor, and Hoterene Taipari, his father, is the chief monitor. I held a large native meeting here, after which two lunangas were chosen, one for Kauwaeranga and the other for Piako, which is a large river. Leaving this place, we pulled in a whale boat up the Waihou, and slept at an European's, named Reed, who was very kind to us. He is an American, and has lived here in peace with the natives twenty years. He spoke highly of the old chief Tar:iia,who cultivates his food chiefly in this neighbourhood. Next morning we pulled up to Opukeko, where we stopped with Pineaha Opita and his people, who all assembled to meet us. Two runangas of twelve each were here chosen and Pineaha left as Kaiwhakarite. They were very eager to be instructed in the proper administration of law, their enquiries keeping me pretty well employed, both night and day. Many cases were adjudged and decisions given, with which they seemed satisfied ; and the errors of the runanga Maoris were corrected. They are wishful to know the right way and walk in it, and it was explained to ihem how anxious the Governor is to assist them in their efforts, if they are only prepared to avail themselves.of his assistance. The name of the law alone is powerless. The power of the law is derived from the people, when Ihey heartily agree to be governed by it: and the natives will be no better for the laws

which are now given to them, unless tliey resolve to obey them. They must understand them first and then truly and sincerely accept them. One native was tried here on charge of robbing a European on board ship, by freaking open his box and taking money therefrom. The case was proved, and the thief was ordered to pay /-16 6s. 6d. £art of this penally was paid into Court, and $e rest was ordered to be paid within two months. Let this be a caution to all men not to take what belongs to others, whether money or anything else. Some natives think it no harm to steal food or tobacco, but such men are very ignorant. We have no right lo take anything belonging to another, however small; and if we do so, the law directs that the offender shall be punished either by imprisonment or by a penalty of four limes the value of the goods blolen. If five shillings be stolen, twenty shillings or one pound is the penalty : five shillings of this is returned to the man who lost the money, and the remaining fifteen shillings is put into the p.ublic purse. The one part is payment for the goods st>len, and the other three parts is a penally for the offence. The man who has been robbed obtains what he has lost, and no more, the rest is kept in the public purse, and afterwards spent for the good of the people at large; so lhat if two pounds be stolen the payment will be eight pounds, two of which are given to the person robbed, for the two he has lost, and six pounds are put into the purse, to be kept there until the Governor consents for it to be spent. It will then be used in paying assesssors, building Court-houses, making roads, erecting bridges and establishing schools for the native children, cvc. The money, therefore, which is paid for such offences as are committed against the public returns to the people in this way. Hut there are some crimes which cannot be paid for in money. Let men, however, avoid all offences whether great or small, and there will be no punishment. [To be continued.]