LETTER FROM KAIKOURA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 15, 16 December 1862, Page 16

LETTER FROM KAIKOURA.

Waipapa, July 21, 1862. To Governor Grey, to our parent, and the parent of all the natives of this island, New Zealand. Salutations to you who are being kept busy by the affairs of that island of ours, [i.e., the Northern Island]. 0 Sir/the Governor, your sentiments published in your newspapers have been received by us, and the remarks of your loving people also, to the people of ibis island [i.e., the Southern ; Island] who are Jiving in peace in the world of sunshine, and in the world of light, for there is no disorder amongst us in this island; Friend, ibis is our sentence to you : Let jour cultivations [i.e., the natives] be attended with due care, so that the affairs of that island may be settled quietly according to the Queen's laws ; let no portion of it be allowed to ruffle, or let no portion of the surface be disturbed. We have no sympathy with tbat work, namely, hindering the enlightened policy of the Government, which is for the benefit of both Natives and Europeans who are living together in New Zealand. Let tliem continue to live together in this world of long standing, this world of light. We do not approve of the work of disorder, for we do not wish.the present generation of young men to disappear through their own guilt. We rejoice and are glad on account of your policy which* is quelling the waves of the ocean shore, that they may rest, that the affairs may be rightly adjusted, so thai we may all live together, desiring only good. Friend the Governor, if (his our letter reaches you, let il be published in the newspaper, so tbat Others may see, ourselves also, the words of the men of ih£ Southern Island. Raihania Tamaherangi, Te REWeti Te Hiakai. Frojn all the people of Waipapa, Wahikainga, and Kaikoura. Wfiuen by Kepa. To Governor Grey, Auckland.

To the Editor of the Maori Mesmiger. Father,— Salutations. I ask you to publish the following remarks in the Maori Messenger, so that they may be borne onward from place to place. O nations, tribes, and individuals—all .who are under the Queen's authority, salutations to you,—lo great and small, lo the old women and old men, and to the children. Hearken now. When our ancestors lived, in times gone by, their doings were most vicious; they stole and swore, and did many other bad things, and according to the rules laid down by our ancestors, the lives of men were taken as compensation for the above offences. If those usages were still practised, there would be no inhabitants in the country. Now in these days laws have been established for. the protection of men and their property—as a defence for the whole people, whether they be chiefs or plebeians, rich or poor. The law is supreme, and men are subject to it. Now this is the idea conveyed, if a man lake hold of the law [i.e., break it], the law will take hold of him. It is well for the law to be above us and for us to be under the law; and as we are protected by it, we should honor those who dispense it. Let these sentiments end here. From your friend, Waira. October 6* 1862. [We highly approve of the sentiments contained in *'Waira's" letter, and hope that his excellent advice will he duly appreciated and observed by his countrymen.]

To the Editor of tlie Maori Messenger. Friend, — Salutations. Tf my remarks reach you, publish them in the Maori Messenger, that my Maori and my European friends in the North and South, and in the centre of the island may see them. I disapprove of the towering sentiments of the Maori chiefs who refuse to yield obedience to the laws of the Queen and the Governor. O friends, the Maori chiefs, let your rule of conduct be wise or good. Hone Te Whangaehu, September, 1862.

We beg to call attention lo the following Address from the pen of a gentleman .who is well acquainted with the Maori language and* character. It is not needful for us to say anything in praise of this paper; the sentiments contained in it commend themselves to the understanding of the reader:— Puketona, Bay of Islands, August Ist, 1862. Emends, — The Assessors, Wardens, and Kareres of ihe Hundred of YVaimate, saluting you. [t i 6 not merely to-day that I have felt a desire to write lo you, for I have long wished 10 do so, but I have wailed to know that your appointments would all be confirmed by ihe Governor, and as these papers of his have now arrived, I will also begin one, that you may perusg and think over it during the days which are to come, for it is my wish that in entering upon your new duties you should be made acquainted with the importance of these duties, and that some principle should be laid down which may enable us successfully to carry out the same. The duties which have been assigned to us ore important duties, for we shall not merely be expected to settle those disputes which may be brought into the Courts—these of course will form part of our work—but there are other duties of still greater importance; we shall be expected lo keep the peace within our district, wc must teach the people to respect the law, we must induce them to send their children to school, teach them habits of industry, and endeavour lo find out a road by which the property of the people may be advanced according to Pakeha custom. These are our duties, but they will not be accomplished in a day, neither will ihe fruit thereof immediately appear, for what bouse was ever erected in a single day? or what tree ever blossomed and bore fruit immediately it was planted ? Time must be given, so also in this case, if we patiently persevere in our work, eventually the fruit of our labour will be seen. But the people must have an example set them which they may look upon, and I think that you who have taken up the work of the Government are the persons who should set them this Bxample. Begin at once to adopt Pakfha habits, you be the first 10 erect better houses or yourselves, partitioned off into separate

apartments, that the native custom of all sleeping in the same apartment may be abolished; place doors and windows in your bouses; fence iu your lands and divide them into gardens and paddocks; introduce Pakeha furniture into your houses, such as tables chairs, tea cups, plates, knives and forks, so that when Pakehas visit you they may 6ee that you are trying to establish Pakeha customs, and laying down an example for the people. Now, perhaps, some will reply, will Maoris accomplish this? do Maoris possess the means for carrying out plans like these? This is the way in which Maoris always reply when spoken to about following Pakeha habits. Now, I say that these can be accomplished, because the Maoris have plenty of means. You have abundance of forest timber for fencing purposes; \ou have abundance of rich land suitable for farming purposes, but the thing is, the people are listless; the land is allowed to lie idle, a-ll that ever is seen on native land is fern and tupaltihi; however good the land may be, it is left to wasie. Now, if it were fenced in and sown lo grass, and caule and sheep placed upon it, money would soon €ome in, and the Maori become respectable Look at the way iu which a Pakeha acts with .regard lo his piece of land. As soon as he becomes possessed of any, he sets to work to improve it, in order that he may quickly get a return from it. You should follow such plans as these: turu lo and improve your lands, that >ou also may get returns from them and become possessed of properly, so will you successfully follow ai'ier Pakeha customs. I know that in lot mer days if a Maori was seen impaling a Pakeha in any way, he was set down as a conceited pe.son, and would Ite taunted by his friends will), " what a conceited fellow! it is all very well for a Pakeha lo do this or that, but for a Maori to attempt anything of the kind it is absurd!" Now, 1 disapprove of such a remark. Why should not a Maori be the same as a Pakeha? why should it be said a Pakeha alone thinks of a farm, whilst the rich lands of the Maori are al lowed to lie idle? why have it said that a Pakeha may sit in his ornamented house, but a Maori must coil himself up in his raupo hut half stifled in smoke? why should it be said that a Pakeha may eat the good food of the earth i and a Maori content himself with bis fern root and his puirid corn? why should it be said that a Pakeha is looked well upon because he appears clean in his person and- neat in his apparel, whilst a

towards you they have great thoughts towards you: and great is their desire for all i of you Maorieslhat you should advance in every thing that is good, and therefore it is that their hearts ; are so sad to see how much the Maories have given way to drunkenness, and their desire is that this habit should be abandoned, for they know what the end of it will be, they know that if persisted in, this will be the food which will prove the destruction of the Maories. 1 have heard it said by some Maories, that the Pakehas wish to exterminate your race. This is a false accusation of the tongue; but listen to what I say; the Maori will destroy himself, if this evil is not abandoned. Does not the Maori believe in the power of witchcraft? here indeed is witchcraft too, which will prove most successful in its work, if this sorcerer, grog, be not thrust away to a distance! For know this, the craving for this food, in one who has become accustomed to such food, will not decrease, but on the contrary it will increase. A drunkard is indifferent to everything but spirits; all he thinks about is Rum; let him receive his glass and his heart rejoices; he vyill daily drink spirits as be would water; spirits will engross a man's thoughts; spirits will absorb his money and bis property; the vendor of spirits has only to lay open his purse, and the foolish heart pours his money into it; from being once a inan possessed of properly, he now becomes a pauper; once an industrious person, he now becomes listless. The end of drunknrtess is man's destruction. Foolish man! little does he think that this drinking propensity into which he now plunges himself will eventually prove his ruin! Is not thiswichcrafi? I know that many will not believe these words, for their eyes are blinded, their thoughts are altogether led away by their desire for this food, and delighted at being able to obtain as much as they require, for it comes to theui like the flowing tide, they open their mouths and swallow it greedily, hut they devour it in ignorance, earned away by its sweetness, their thoughts will not even return to think, «* Perhaps litis very food, which looks so pleasant and is so murii desired, is a bait for us, beneath whiebperhaps a hook is concealed." poor things! 'it has indeed proved lobe theright bait, and therefore is constantly being nibbled at! Now I call upon von Assessors, Wardens and Kareres, you who have been appointed by ihe Governor to carry out his plans, and to set a good sample around you, be very watchful over yourselves, totrch not evil, but rather exer-

cise all your thoughts and energies, in persuading ibe people likewise to give it up, lest hereafter this saying respecting the Maoris, should prove to be a true one, I hat which destroyed this people was Rum! Friends is not this a Ngapuhi motto? " Ngapuhi of many devices," literally Ngapuhi of a hundred holes. I think this motto is for rou. "Ngapuhi of one voice," yes Ngapuhi, agree to this, speak with one voice in favour of law and order; be on the alert, "be on the alert for the last fish, or for the fish, caught whilst weighing the anchor of Takiwairua's canoe." Abandon all jealousies, doubtful thoughts, and ibolish actions, be assured that the thdughls of the Government towards you are goods thoughts, and all you Pakeha friends heartily join the Government in these good wishes towards you. Step forward then, oh people, and with one voice agree that, law and order shall be established; put your hands to the plough, look not behind you, but look forward, forhere lies the work for us, before our faces.—And may the God of peace impart strength unto us, may he guide and direct our steps, that we may be consistent in our walk, and prosperous in our undertakings. These are rny words to you. From your Friend, Edw. M. Williams, Resident Magistrate.