MEETING OF MAORIES AT CANTERBURY.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume I, Issue 2, 15 March 1861, Page 2

MEETING OF MAORIES AT CANTERBURY.

On the 13th September last, agreeably to an invitation given by the Deputy Superintendent, the Maories of the neighbouring villages assembled at the Town Hall, in Christchurch, for the purpose* of expressing their sympathy towards the Taranaki sufferers, and of reciprocating, their sentiments of good feeling with the settlers of their own Province, —the suggestion for the meeting having come from the Maories themselves. Mr. Bowen, the Deputy Superintendent, took the chair at about half-past eleven o'clock, a.m., and there was a numerous attendance of Christchurch residents. The Bishop of the Diocese, the Venerable Archdeacon of Akaroa,

the Rev. Mr. Buller, the Rev. Mr.' Stack, the Resident Magistrate, the Provincial Treasurer, Captain Scott, J. Brittain, Esq., and other gentlemen taking prominent interest in the progress of the Province, and in the civilization and advancement of their j Maori fellow-subjects, occupied the platform. The Town Hall was filled with spectators. There were ahout forty-five Maories present, of whom many were chiefs. The proceedings commenced by the Deputy Superintendent reading an address to the Maories, which was interpreted paragraph by paragraph by the Rev. J. W. Stack of Rangiora, to the following effect : Welcome, ray Maori friends! I bid you welcome in the name of the Pakebas of Canterbury! lam glad to see you here; the more so because it is at your own request that 1 have called this meeting, in order that you may have an opportunity of publicly expressing your loyally to our Queen, and your friendly feelings to all your white brothers. It is a grievous thing to see the Maori and the white man at war. We had hoped that wars had ceased in these islands, and that there would have been no more strife between the two races. But, alas! it is not so. It is not for me to enter upon the causes of the disputes which have led some of the. native tribes in the Northern Island to rebel against the sovereignty of the Queen. Such a course cannot but result in the ruin, of those who have been sojbolish as to embark in it. Your presence here to-day shews that you have no sympathy with this movement. You have done well in coming here to shake hands with the Pakehas, because they will now know that you have no bad feelings in your hearts towards them, and that you. believe in their good wishes and intentions towards you. You know that we have not come here to take away your land from you by violence and war, or to exert our power to your injury. When the white men came to New. Zealand they found a large country with few inhabitants, and those with scanly clothing, without wholesome food, and without the

means or knowledge to procure any of the comforts of life. Above all, they found them -without the knowledge of the true God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Some good missionaries came and settled among them to lead them to this knowledge, other while men followed, and finding that they could do good to themselves as well as to the Maories, settled in the land and traded with ihe Natives, giving them for their land, money, and what was far belter than money, an example of civilized life. You see, my friends, the change that has taken place in the appearance and condition of the country within the last ten years, since the English settlers came among you. How distant places have been connected by roads, impassable swamps drained, large tracts of land brought into cultivation, so that the ground which formerly produced nothing but wild grass and fern is now made to yield a variety and abundance of food suited to the use of civilized man. You, my Maori friends, as well as the while people have benefited by these changes, Not only have you better food and clothing than formerly, as well as many comforts of life before unknown to you, but the tracts of land which you retain for your own use have acquired a value very far beyond that which the entire country could ever have possessed under your former circumstances. I regret that you should have been annoyed at limes by insulting remarks made by any of the white men. Such remarks are very far from expressing the feeling of the settlers in general towards you, and I trust you will have the good sense not to let bad words spoken by idle or foolish men dwell in your minds. Our desires are that Maori and Pakeha should live together in friendship, and that their united motto should be—Love, peace and loyalty. ' I have spoken on behalf of the Pakeha. I wait to hear what the Maories have to say. Paoiu, of Rapak*, then rose and said, I salute you, English gentlemen r It is a good thing to send an English chief to talk to the native chiefs. Look at my hand (holding out his hand straight before him). We are only one people; were we two people, my hand would turn up and down. [Mr. Slack: He is referring to the war in Taranaki.] Hear what I say,—only one people in this Island. Pakeha, it is well for you to seek the thoughts of native chiefs; we have ouly one thought with yourselves. Look at my

hand—see if it is foul—there is no blood of while men on it, it is clean. Show me your band: is there any blood of Maori upon it? Love to the white man and the Maori. Chiefs of Maories and whitemen, let us know your thoughts in order that we may discuss ihera. We cannot go to the North to speak to the Governor and express our good thoughts to him there, but we wish to express them here. It is a long wav to go across the sea to speak to the Governor, and there are many difficulties. HAKOPA,of Kaiapoi, spoke in similar terms. Hoani Timaru, cf Rapaki, —My loving friends. Don't seek for the reason why we ask you to meet us. It was that people ask us if we intend lo go to Taranaki to help the Maories. Therefore we ask vou to meet us. What should we go to Taranaki (or? We don't want to go to Taranaki, we want to remain here. The work they are doing at Taranaki they have done before here. We have had no wars with the white men, and peace has remained to this moment. The war going on in Taranaki is only a continuance of the evil deeds of the North. Before you came we had greenstone, and they opened the mouth for it. Now they open the mouth on you. They have turned against you and left me, the former enemy. They wanted to lake my property, the greeusloue,—now ihey are turning upon you to take your work. They agreed to have the Queen at first, then they made a Kiug. We will have none of the deeds of the North Island,—don't bring them down here. (Applause)—We are not to have any Maori King here, the Queen is to be our King and our mother in the south. I wish to ask you a question,—Cannot we leave W. Kingi alone to his evil deeds / because it is said in the Holy Bible, " Vengeance is mine, and I will repay, saiih ihe Lord." I would leave it to God, because Heke and the other makers of wars in the North are dead. I say, leave it lo God. There are two things to trust to, God's laws for ihe soul, and the Queen's for the body. (Great applause.) Henare Fletciikr, of Kaiapoi,—Chiefs of the Pakeha. What I have lo say is what Paul said, Love and kindness to the white man. We have nothing else to talk about but the light of God above, and truth to the Queen, and under her to the Governor. This is all I have to say. Pori Taki, of Port Levy,-I salulc you,

Chiefs of Canterbury! In this meeting we i are joined together to express our mean-j ing. We, the Maories, have asked that j this meeting may be called, that we may) have one Government. It is true that you left in England all the good. We, I the Maories, were wandering here in the wilderness. You, the white men, brought' the good things to this island. When the war broke out in Taranaki we were afraid. Some thought we should go to Taranaki from an evil feeling towards you. That is why we proposed this meeting, that there might be no distrust between Maories and white men. It is good that the Queen be kept as a mother, both to Maories and white men, and she sent the Governor to be a father to both of us. There is no treason intended in this island by the Maories against the while men. We have a wish only for the Queen and the Governor to cheer us. (Applause.) I salute you, my English chief* All the words that have been spoken now are full of light; there is no darkness in them. Now we are seen for the first time standing in an assembly of white men. Now the love is shown towards the chiefs of the natives. It is a good thing that I should be called into this meeting, that you may shew me the laws of this island and of England. It is good you called this meeting, to show us the road by which we might become as yourselves. Pera Pukunui, of Port Levy.—l salute you, chiefs of the while men. I have something else to talk about. When our father had left his island he came here to live. Temaiharanui was chief of Kaiapoi. He was killed by Te Rauparaha because some person had told Te Rauparaha that he was to be cut open with the tooih of a shark. The payment he took for that insult was, became to Kaiapoi, the place of the people you see, and took it. The chiefs of the North say they are superior to the people of this island*. When Rauparaha went from here, he set lo gelling clean flax. White men assisted Rauparaha in taking Temaiharanui; so that his blood is upon your hands. If you wish it, look at my hand; there is no blood on it. We took no revenge on you for the death of our friend. There is one point I wish to mention to Mr. Bowen - that is, peace. Our lands were bought for a small sum, and that is now the cause of your living in so much wealth. There is another point. The Governor promised to put up a house for us at Port Levy. Perhaps the Governor (Superintendent) of this place will keep his promise. 1 wish you to put up that bouse

at Port Levy as a sign of your love; I shall then say you have love towards us. Poihipi, of Kaiapoi.—l salute you, chiefs of the white people. You received my letter that I wrote to you. lam not the man that approves of the King movement. lam for the Queen and Governor. Kingi's deeds are wicke.l deeds; I don't approve of them. Let us agree that there shall be truth and justice between the Maori and the Pakeha under the Queen. Those foolish white men who insult us about going to Taranaki are wrong ;we have no wish to go there. We are orphans, and you supply the place of our parents. The Gospel supplies a rule for the Maori aud the white man. John Parateme.—l approve of what' Mr. Bo wen has said. Perhaps, fourteen years since, we agreed to give our land to Governor Grey. As to the reason we agreed to give up our land—we had no one to protect us. You are now settled on our land, and are our protectors. We are orphans. My parents were taken by those very people who are fighting at Taranaki. The white men are our elder brothers and protectors. Let us think of one thing—plant and grow food both for the Maori and the while man. (Applause.) Pita te Hori.—How do you do all, my English friends? I salute you all, and also those of all other places who are come to this meeting. What this meeting has said is good; it speaks to the ears. Do not think, my friends, that I look back; my path is straight—l go onwards. This meeting is held, that we may have but one plan. You are following the laws of the Governor; we have also bad laws. My laws commenced with Ahuriri; he said, "Be kind to men." After him Turakihapi said the same. So from thence to the present time we have had no evil in our hearts. We have lived in peace. I am full of love to Europeans, and so are the natives of thts island. What we have to say we now make known in your presence. You know all our laws; we have just told you. There are laws to be granted by the Queen. One is to allow us to buy guns and powder. I say, let that restriction be taken off in this island, that the word of the Queen, as told us by the Governor, may be fulfilled, that the Maori and the white man may be one. Don't suppose, because you see a Maori carrying a gun, that he will turn round and shoot you. What am Ito do with my sick? I have left my old habits, and if a patient requires a change of food, I cannot now shoot a duck for him. The Queen

wants us to be one; the laws should be equal to Maori and white man. There is another word I would say; there has never been a crime committed by the Maori against the Pakeha in this island. [The speaker now sang a song, the subject, " the Cover not*,"] (Applause.) Ihaia Taihewa. —My friends, do not you have any misgivings as to our coming together this day. Don't doubt us; what has been said to you this day is a true expression of our sentiments. Our thoughts are only thoughts of kindness. We have no sympathy with the foolish doings of other places. Our thoughts are, that both Maori and while man may live together; as they should do. It is well for. us to cultivate our soil, that we may become wealthy. As to what is doing in the North Island, let it remain there, il has its own evil. Let us who are in the light remain as we are. You are our friends, and have been kind to us ; we wish tb be kind to you. We are but a few among you. If we have not acted formerly as I now speak, then do not believe me. Quite true; when you came we had the fern-fool; since you have come we have learned to eat good things, id wear good clothes, and to have gobdcustoms. The word of the Queen has been good tb the Governor, to take care of all her subjects. Had she said, take care of the Pakeha, and not of the Maori, that would not have been right. But for lhat good thought of the Queen, other people would have come, and we should have been laken away. By the Queen's good care the French, the Americans, and the natives are kept from hurting us. We all here, like as the chickens fly to the shelter of the hen's protecting wings, so have we run to the shelter of our gracious Queen. We have no sympathy with \he Maori King; let those who have go to him. AH 1 have to say is, the Queen's is the right and true road; we will all walk in the same. Solomon Iwikau, or Kaiapoi,—l salute you all, white people, natives and others. Nothing remains to be said. We are all for the Queen and the Governor. People have thought that we were going to join the Kiiig. We had no sUch thought. The thought that Peter expressed jiist now is right, that is, love. If you love us, let us nave the powder, the rum, and other things, as you have; if hot, it is well. Solomon Pohio, of Waimala.—l salute you, friends and Maories, all of you. This is what I have to say. Some have doubted otir loyally, but this assembling ourselves together shows us all to be one. Let us walk in the same road and dwell together in

peace. One rule for both the white man and the Maori. I wish the authorities to attend to this. I wish there was a place for our accommodation when we come here, then I shall think the show of love for us is true. In saying this, I represent the thoughts of all the natives in this part of the country. As for W. Kingi, I have nothing to do with him, nor do I intend to. I ihave lived in peace with you, and so wish to do. Hoani Wetere, of Otago.—l salute you, gentlemen and Maories, all of you. I have only a word or two to say. In limes past we all lived in darkness; afterwards, the white men came, and daylight sprung up. The first Pakehas who came were whalers ; afterwards, the missionaries came. They and the Government appointed the various officers here as a fence to protect us, therefore we live as we do now. We are only a few Maories—the remnant of tribes left from former wars. There is a God above to protect us, and a Queen for our trust here. Te Maiharoa, of Timaru.—l salute you, Pakehas and Maories. Listen to what we say, and have no doubt of our truthfulness. We have never done ill to Europeans. Have you confidence in our speech, and we will thoughtfully consider yours. Let us all follow one road. We want to go for no other rule, but will adopt that you have laid down for us. The Queen's road is the road we wish to follow. We have nothing at all to do with the other island. The thought of ihe Maori is that we should all lie in one bed. Te Haeana.—l salute you, my friends. —We all live in one land. We wish to know each other's thoughts. We have heard from Mr. Bo wen your though is, and we have spoken ours. \\ e all speak as one. White men are maay, and we are few. Let us have regard to ourselves, and let the many take care of us; and let new Governors have respect to our welfare. There is nothing so bad as the destruction of men. We have seen that in times past. Diseases come to all, the while man and the Maori, as is the case just now. But the destruction of fighting is kept from us, and thai is good. Murder is bad, bul should it occur, let the murderer suffer. To break good laws, and commit evils, is the way for us to be destroyedc Tame Tarawijata.—lsalule you, all ibis large assembly. I salute the gentlemen. Let those evils now in the North Island

remain where they are, we have nothing lo do with them. My thought is, we all belong to the Queen, and she will be a mother to us. Formerly we were dark, now we are all in the light. God above, and the Queen next—the motto for this island. PonAtr, ofTaunuitu.—l salute this assembly. This is an assembly for giving expression to our thoughts. My thoughts are all towards good. Love towards the Pakehas, and love from them to us. One thought for peace and preservation, I have no wish to go lo Wi Kingi—my only King is God, and my next love is for the Queen. The Bishop next addressed the Maories, his speech being translated to them by Mr. Buller, as follows: I am requested by Mr. Bowen to address you, and I have great pleasure in doing so. We are all one people, having one God, and one Queen, and the same laws. I am speaking to you the thoughts of all respectable people when I say we are living with you as brothers. As to what idle people said to you about going to Taranaki, do not heed them. The laws of the land will prevent their harming you, but they will not save you from idle tongues. You can by your lives show you are good, and you will secure the respect of all good Pakehas. Live in obedience to the law of God, and avoid drunkenness, swearing, and other vices and bad habits, and be industrious. Suffer, my brethren, the word of advice. It is said that the Maori is somelimes given to idleness. They will work hard for a time, and then idle away their time. Your land requires to be cultivated: attend to that and fence it, and make yourselves better houses. Some have now good houses, let all endeavour lo have them, and you will suffer less from sickness. Live as I have said, and all will respect you. I am speaking the thoughts of all the Pakehas. Our feelings toward? you are those of good will and your welfare. The Bishop having ended, Mr. Boweu requested the Uev. Mr. Buller to address ihe Maories in their own language. He spoke as follows:—Children, I salute you! I shall speak but a few words. Let all your proceedings be conducted on a right principle. The sentiments expressed here today are good. Let all be good henceforward. Bear in mind what the Bishop has just now said to you : it was good advice—attend lo it, and you will improve in your condition.

Don't condescend, to listen to what foolish white men may say to you. Seek information from your ministers, from the authorities, from respectable Europeans: and by ihem the laws and customs of the white people will be made plain to you. Have no ears for the deceitful talk. Be men! Follow that course which will elevate you to our own position. You are aware that true religion is the foundation of all that is excellent. If the tree has no root, it will not grow. To be rooted is to have your hearts right. The love of our Queen abides upon you,—may you be good children. Then you will prosper, " for rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil." Here ends my speech. Mr. J. Brittan addressed the Maories relative to their subscriptions for the Taranaki sufferers, and, as the Secretary of that Fund, returned them his thanks. Mr. Hamilton (the Resident Magistrate,) addressed them also, observing that one of their speakers appeared to think that the hands of the white men here were stained with the blood of Temaiharanui and the other Maories slaughtered at Kaiapoi by Te Rauparaha and his followers. Hut the vessel hired to bring these people to Kaiapoi did not belong to a subject of the Queen. The while men in that vessel had escaped from all law, but that can never happen again. Another speech had referred to the powder, but he must tell them that all Pakehas and Maories were subject to Hie same law. When the Maori war is over the Governor will probably, in this island, withdraw the restriction. The Governor cannot just now look to every matter here; he bad, however, sent them a gentleman to teach them, and to represent any wauls thai they might wish to communicate. All that the Governor has done shows his regard for them, and his wish to promote their welfare. Mr. Bowex :—We have had great pleasure in hearing your expressions of love towards the while men. I will represent your wishes for a place of accommodation at Cbrisicluirch to the proper quarter, and I hope we shall succeed in earning them into effect. I now invite you all lo lake refreshment at the Market Hall. The Maories then adjourned to the Market Hall 10 partake of a substantial luncheon. Mr. Bowen, the Bishop, Mr. Culler, Mr. Hamilton, and some other gentlemen sat down with them ; all who were in the Town

Hall did not attend at the Market Hall, but were entertained at the barrack. They appeared to be exceedingly well pleased with their reception, and with the results of the korero altogether. After the lunch some more of them subscribed towards the Taranaki fund to the amount of £5 i7s. 6d. The Maories having altogether subscribed about £SO. When the subscription is completed, the sum from Europeans and Maories will not be less than £2OOO in the Province of Canterbury. Three cheers, three limes three, were then given for the Queen, and also for His Honor the Deputy Superintendent, and the meeting separated.