“Passing Maori Memories”

Manawatu Times, Volume LVI, Issue 7067, 28 January 1933, Page 6

“Passing Maori Memories”

DISINGENUOUS SUBTLETY [Recorded by “ J.H.S.” for the Times. ] Rataua Ngahina of Parewanu!, grandfather of "The Prophet,” was a handsome Maori, intelligent, six feet, and with a long silken beard. Naturally he was selected as representative of the Maori race at the Commonwealth celebration in Melbourne. When Lord Ranfurly was coming here as Governor, Ratana wrote to him in terms of loyalty and sympathy, expressing their disapproval of the Irish Fenians, His letter, written in Maori of the old school, concluded with “May the Atua bless and protect the beloved queen of our hearts—me paka te aiiri.” Sir James Carroll declared his inability to translate the four final words, but on his receiving a subsequent explanation, that if was an innocent attempt in our language to condemn tho Irish, his Excellency laughed till the tears ran down his cheeks. Reverting to his mother tongue he said, "God hless me sowl, hut I’m an Irishman mesilf.” In a letter to a Rangitikei resident some five years later Lord Ranfurley said “Tell our old friend Ratana his well remembered letter Ims dispelled the British idea that the Maoris are a race of savages. It has been read with great effect at many an after-dinner speech, even in old Ireland herself.”

His grandson, "The Prophet” may yet redeem his people who are amenable to teaching hy one who really understands them.