MAORI GAZETTE.

New Zealander, Volume 1, Issue 21, 25 October 1845, Page 3

MAORI GAZETTE.

Tins publication appears occasionally, and is circulated far and wide, among the Natives. To those of the Aborigines who are enabled to peruse this literary production of the Protectorate — if it were confined to useful subjects, such as information on agriculture, horticulture, &c, or to the promulgation of laws and regulations for their conduct towards Europeans — would tend much to the civilisation of the whole native race, inasmuch as they are addicted to talk incessantly among themselves, the contents of each Gazette would be disseminated among the illiterate, as well as the instructed. But, we conceive great circumspection ought to be exercised in the composition of this periodical in the native language, for the effect and impression among the natives cannot well be counteracted, hereafter, if erroneous opinions, or improper subjects, are propagated in its columns. Indeed, we have long thought, that its compilation, on each publication, should be under the revision and direction of two or three persons, without reference to the Maori tongue : for the matter could be easily rendered into the native language by a person properly qualified, although he might not be a protector. We have been much astonished to find in the last number, dated the 25th of September, al though containing letters of the 27th, intelligence respecting the warfare in the north, which has not been yet promulgated by the 'Government to the Europeans ! ! The very article, — the leader in fact, — informs the natives ! " There is nothing new from/ or about the Nga Puhi. " The soldiers are at the Waimate, awaiting the coming of Heke, who is calling to make peace ; but whether he is sincere or not, is very doubtful. It is very probable, there will be mutual dissatisfaction between both parties. Two letters have been written by Ileke to the Governor, and his Excellency has acknowledged them. Heke is inclined for peace provided Kawiti is to be included in the terms of the treaty ; but the missionaries at Waimate have interfered, and the answer sent through them to the Governor, is so ambiguous, that it cannot be properly understood." And the leader ends with the real meaning, in Anglo Saxon, to Heke, for whom we suppose this Government Gazette was really published. " I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt ot your letters, and the contents not being well understood : — the correspondence is for the present heoi-ano," the interpretation of which we presume, is well understood by the veriest tyro in the Maori language. But seriously, we consider this publication to be most important, and the question naturally arises,— why is it, that the natives are thus officially and by authority, informed of this correspondence between the Governor of the Colony, and the native rebel Heke,— while complete silence and reserve, regarding every transaction, are observed towards Euroj)eans ? The greatest anxiety alarm pervade the whole colony, more especially in the southern settlements ; persons refrain from almost every enterprise or any undertaking, agricultural as well as commercial, conceiving their residence and safety, quite uncertain and precarious ; and fearing that further combinations among the natives may lead to sudden, general destruction, and plunder of other European settlements. To allay such fears, as much as possible, is the bourulen duty of the Government ; and we conceive, that if the Maoriesare to be favoured in their Gazette by such information, the European settlers are not less entitled to be acquainted with actual factb, and passing events, through the medium of the Government Gazette.