SPEECHES OF THE NGAPUHI CHIEFS TO GOVERNOR GREY, AT THE MEETING AT KORORAREKA.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1650, 8 February 1862, Page 10

SPEECHES OF THE NGAPUHI CHIEFS TO GOVERNOR GREY, AT THE MEETING AT KORORAREKA.

[From the "Maori Messenger.”] Manu : Welcome, Governor Grey, welcome to this part. Here am I, and now you have returned. It was from here that you and 1 started for the Ruapekapeks. Welcome back, O father, to your place. When you and 1 came back from the Ruapeknpeka, I said to you, " your place,’’ and I have not altered since, no, no. There are men whose thoughts deviate, mine do not; my work is true, and I dwell in peace; I am now living in peace. Come, father, cause the sun to shine; come and dwell in my house. There was no Governor that I liked, but you I quite approve of. You have returned; good, good. Welcome, father, welcome. Tawatavva : (Song:).— Welcome. Hf*re is lore. You and Kawiii loved each other, ami therefore I say arrange the laws for the soul and for the body, A bad tree bears bad fruit, a good tree bears good fruit : the fruit on my trees is all good. Feed the orphan ; I am an orphan. It will be for you to consider about instructing us, and giving us law ; you consider the neutral natives, and it will be good. Welcome, Governor Grey. Pukututu: Welcome, my real friend. Bring love to these children of yours. 1 did not think that I should again see you. This is where your feet have trod : you have returned again to these your people. Behind to me, I have put aside childish things now that I have arrived at manhood. 1 say, therefore, welcome, Governor Grey, welcome, anoint my head and my cheeks with oil. I will ask you for the things which I asked you for before. Give me plenty of Pakehas, and also some officers. I gave the Kawakawa in order that it should be occupied.by Europeans. Send me some Pekehas to be my friends. I now say to you, shew your love for me by giving me Pakehas. and do so quickly before I die, that I may see your Pakehas, Friend, Governor Grey, give me Pakehas. Wi Kemara Kaiteke read the following letter : Waitangi, Nov. 4, 1861. Friend, Governor Grey,—Salutations to you. Great is our love for you, for the Governor who put an end to the troubles of this cod of the island, the war between Hone Heke and the Pakehas—that was a great difficulty. Governor Fitzroy was Governor at the time of that war; when you came you caused peace to be made, and peace was made. Our love tor you, therefore, O Governor, is firm to-day, for up to the time of your going back there was no difficulty with the ram who took part in Heke’s war with the Pakeha, nor has there been any up to the present time. Friend, Governor Grey, a peacemaker like yourself is thought much of by the Manries. We heard that you had gone to put down the evil at Waikato. Friend, Governor Grey, these words are sufficient. This is another word of mine to you. Had your friend Te Kemara been alive he would probably have had something to say to you; as for me, I cannot say much, being only a child. Friend the Governor, this is a portion of my thought. This is another thing; I am an orphan, and I wish you to shew me kindness, and give me some Government work to do. Let me also have a town, that I may have friends to reside near. This is all I have to say to you. * Friend, Governor Grey, salutations to you. Way you live for ever, and may God keep you. From your friend, Te Kemara. Pirihongo : Welcome, welcome. Your coming formerly was during a time of strife, and when you returned you returned in peace: and now you have returned because there is war again,—this is why you are again seen. Friend, this was Heke’s song, "Not a threat to strike escaped my lips,’’ &c. Heke’s reason for reciting that song was that you might know that the men should live. You have seen the errors, you are a man who knows how to act, and you will deal with those evils. You are an adept at that work. You made an oath with Kawiti that the men should live, and when you saw Heke at the Waimate, you sealed those words, and your words are held true by us. Here we are, and there is our token, the flagstaff, standing there at Maiki; there it stands, O Governor! Unloose the sins of the world : you unbind them all, and give us all those benefits which God bestowed upon m.-m. This is all 1 have to say to you. Maihi Kawiti read the following letter to the Governor Waiomio, November 5, 1861. Friend, Governor Grey,—Salutations to you ! When the Gospel came the men lived, your laws were all explained. lie withheld not any of the things which he had heard from his father, he bestowed them upon all, small anil great. Afterwards Governor Hobson arrived, and then there w:re two good things in this island, —hence the Treaty of “Waitangi. Here were two peace makings. The Pakehas took hold of the Gospel, and it fell in the midst of the right and the wrong. Here were two peacemakings both thrown down. Heke afterwards took the flagstaff. Governor FLzroy came and then Heke laid hold of the flag, the treaty, and the Pakeha ; these three things fell in the midst 'of the right and the wrong. When you heard that the Maories wete fighting with tie Pakehas the Queen sent you here, sating, “Go to New Zealand and make peace, 1 have regard for the people left to me by my father.” Then you came and made peace; afterwards Kawiti went to Auckland where you made an oath to Kawiii, and Kawiti nude an oath to you. You went away with Kawiti’s oath, and Kawiti remained with your word. Kawiti a ft wards d»p9rted for the other world with hi» oath

still kept. We saw the benefits which you had bestowed upon us, and we re-erected the flagstaff at Maiki, and Kawiti’s oath was still kept. This flag was to unite the Pakeha and the Maori under the laws of England because of Kawiti’s oath, and £lO9 Bs. 3d, was paid for work and material for the flagstaff; we ourselves found the spar, the ropes, and the money, and when we had completed it we handed it over to Governor llrowne. This also was because of Kawiti’s oath. Alter that we gave up a piece of land as a cloth for the flag to lie upon : that piece was given to the Queen and to her runanga to make right the flag. 'lbis is to let you know what we said to Governor Browne, but that Governor did not approve of refunding the money, the £169 which we paid for the flagstaff. Enough, From your loving friend, Maihi Faraone Kawiti.

Henare Te Titaha: Welcome my farther, the face of my parent. The old “Rates” are dead, but the young raias (the rata tree) are standing here still. (Song,) Come, I am an orphan, Poroare is dead but we are living here. I therefore welcome you as the face of my ancestor. Kokowai : “ Burst forth the light of day.’’ These were the words of my ancestor. Welcome, Governor Grey, we now see you again, welcome. Your people are here still, welcome; bring life and justice. You have come again to visit these your people, welcome. Pauriti: Welcome, Govenor. Bring us good, The Ngapubi are still at peace with you. Bring us love and kindness. This is ah I hare to say.

Wepiha Te Wai: Welcome, O Governor. Children have no wisdom, all that they can do is break “ calabashes.’’(Sung.) Wiremu Tete : Welcome Governor to the Bay of Islands; my antagonist in former days. You saved me afterwards by love and the law. There is life in the flagstaff standing there at Maikh There stands the legacy of Kawiti and Heke, it is life to man. 1 brow open the sale of power as my mouth is watering for birds. I will maintain the law. My words are for the law only. Honeßi: “Itis night, it is night. It is day, it is day, quite light.’’ This is similar to the call of the law. Give us Pakehas.

Raharuhi Te Onui; Welcome. When you returned across the water Te Kekeao was my Chief. Make Okaihau fat with cattle, sheep and all sorts of Pakeha animals.

Wi Tete : My words are the same as Tamati’s, I am an orphan. Agree to give us Pakehas, and Chiefs to carry out the law. What chiefly gladdens the hearts of this meeting is, you coining here to set this land to rights. Give us Europeans, give us Pakeha Magistrates, give us what is right that the men may live through you. These are all the words of you friends. There is one more word that I wish to say, I will threw it out and you can look at it. Do not think about that King, he is not a king for all this Island. Tawatawa; When i die, lot medio doing what is right. Give us Pakehas for our places, we have no men. There is plenty of talk in the world, is there not any at this place or that ? “lam a crab for the cormorant,” I say therefore give me some protectors for all the places. If you say that we are to see you only and that then you will return, well and good, that is for you to say. Renata Pukututu : The wole day has been consumed in talking. lamat a loss what to say, as every subject has been exhausted by the Chiefa. .Let U-* speak a word to the Governor to put-down that King as we are notin favour of that thing. Welcome, Governor, we are living in peace. If the Governor does not approve of our words, nevertheless let us speak to his face, and lay our words before the stranger. If you are good. O Governor, to appoint some of us as Magistrates we consent. We consent to your elevating some among us to carry out the laws : it will be for you to agree to this. This is all that 1 shall say.

Taraati Waaka Nene: Say all that you have to say, why be reluctant to speak the words which will be life to the people ? Don’t sit silent. (Song.) It is good talk ; it is good to finish what we have to say, I say therefore apeak, whether the words be good or evil. This is what I have for putting down the Maori King, the flagstaff standing there. Isaid, perhaps the people will be going to take part in that thing at the South, shall I be able to restrain them ? I therefore said, erect the flagstaff. Kawiti said, you erect it. I said I shall not set up what you killed, your dead body, set it up yourself. 1 shall not collect money for that King, although you all may say, “do not speak.” Do not suppose, O Governor, that lam going to retract what I said to you, Kawiti said to you. “ I suppose when I lought with you that you would have been strong : as it was, it was (the loss of) my son that put me out, but it is now ended.’’ I said at that time, it is enough. 1 will now return to Hokianga, as you, O Governor, and Kawiti have become reconciled. I shall say the same thing if there is war with the King. Hohepa Te Paki: Welcome, Governor. My land has been taken by Mr. Bell, it was surveyed by Mr. Clarke. Rangitate: Welcome, Governor. My words are different. Welcome, helper of the people, welcome Queen, come hither in the love of God. Winiafa Pomare : I am a man of no rank, my ohieftanship is the law, open the sale of power and shoot for shooting birds as my mouth is bitter. Here Ratu : Come and put flesh upon me.. The Scriptures say that there were seven years of famine, and seven years of abundance. (Song.) Wi Puanake: Welcome, Governor, welcome. No words need be spoken as we are now under one law, and I therefore say, let us be united. Puaiaiti: Welcome to your old people, for you saw our fathers and they experienced your kindness. 1 have your word, your work was taken to the South. Come upon the path of love and peace. The work of the Waikatos is child’s play. The Ngapuhi have no relish for that new thing. There was no king in this island in former limes. The name of King is your property; in my opinion that is robbery on the part of the Maories.

Manu Rewa : Formerly you were mine; you afterwards went from place to place, and acted well. Look at that thing of mine standing there, the flag at Maild; it does not flap about; what faults it has are its own. You have heard that I had the money. I was not to blame ; I did not ask for it. 1 asked, What is it for ? the reply was to purchase powder. What was I to do, leave my money to buy rum with? 1 have no love for my daughter, all my love is for my powder. My name shall not be mixed up with Waikato; my word shall reach there—ray love for Potatau and Kati. I am not going on a fighting errand ; no, I shall return again to my place. If you say that I am to stay, I shall stay —I am an obedient man ; nor will I conceal my intentions of going to this place or to that. Potatau has paid two visits here, and I have been to the South and |visited my grandchild. (Song.) Welcome to your and our place. Here lie your dead, your place. When missionaries came in former times they acquired land, and you have got your place. When 1 die I shall rise up at Te Waimaie. SPEECHES OF MAORI CHIEFS TO GOVERNOR GREY AT THE KERIKERI. Wi Hail; Welcome, Governor Grey, Father, Welcome. Let this letter be rend before the Governor and the meeting, so that we may all hear it. Bay of Islands, November Ist, 1851. Sir, Governor Grey,— Salutations to you, father. Welcome back to your children whom you left; we and you are well through the grace of God and through the kind acs of the Queen to the Maori people. Come and view the land which you left in prosperity. We are residing here and listening to the works that are being done in the world. Father, the Governor, welcome. The Ngapuhi people have nothing to say to you except to bid you welcome : we are everywhere living in quiet, but we have not yet acquired a knowledge of the many hidden things (things difficult to understand,) in the Pakeha system. It will be well for you to look to this people, the Ngapuhi, to your old friends, and to your Pakeha children residing here. Respect the word of your friend Governor Browne, and carry it out now at once. Do not delay, O Governor, to establish a town here: the land has been surveyed, and we are only waiting for the word. Give us Pakehas; give us wealth ; give us employment, and let the kind law of the Queen unite the two races. Welcome, 0 father, to your land, to your people the Ngapuhi, and to your Pakeha children. Here end our words of respect and welcome. From us, the Chiefs of the Ngapuhi. Letter lead by Tamati Huingiriri. November 7, 1861. Friend the Governor, — Salutations to you. Welcome in the love of God and of the Queen to us who are living here in ignorance as to the cause of your coming Enough this is our word to you ; es ! ablish a town at the Kerikeri, for a site his been surveyed by the sanction of Governor Browne. This one word to you it is fixed for ever; be true. Enough. Hikuwai, Wiremu Ktngi Tareha, Hohaia Waikato, Fako Mokaraka, Paraone Whare, Tamati Huingaiiri. Maitai Penetoi a: Welcome, O Governor, come and gee these people of your’a that you left. I will now speak to you, but do not be angry at my words. In pershning land formerly it ws* for by tbs

acre, it was bought by the piece, and the payment was fish hooks, pots, knives, and such things, this was the payment given for a great piece of land in former times. Herein was the unfairness, for we were ignorant. The Gospel was first introduced, and then land purchasing was carried on. I will tell you the work of the British resident fo merly. Mr. Busby came and then the Treaty of Wauangi was made to save us. Ido not consider that there was any harm in that Treaty, if there was 1 would name it. My parents resided at Okurn, and were lost at sea: Piakau (a European) was also lost at sea, and then Mr. Bushy purchased that Lind. It was not land that had been sold to Piakau, he was merely a squatter there, and now let the face of the Treaty be washed clean. 1 will now speak about Mr. Clarke. Ido not consent to Mr. Clarke’s appointment, let Mr. Clendon be our Magistrate. Whare: Welcome, O Governor, to your children; I am willing that my words should go with the Government. Come and be my friend to shew me kindness; what I approve of is to live under the Government as with ray parent. Wiremu King!; Come and see these children of yours: these children are yours, my word will not take another direction. Hearken ; this was what was meant by the word which you left with us. I replied, yes, perhaps. Your words are upon what is good. My word will not devia’e, it is what I spoke to you in Auckland. Waikato: Welcome, welcome good, welc one the Queen. I will not set up a report of evil, neverthless my word to you is a bad word. My place alone was not tried bv Mr. Clendon as my children obey my words. My years in the world will not be many. I shall not gi to war for 1 am an old man. do not approve of Mr. Clarke being made a Civil Commissioner Tango Hiknwai: Welcome, Governor Grey. Our words have been written on paper, consent to them. Establish a township here, put flesh upon the land that the laws may appear in the weld. Let the law relating to each man’s land he made, and let the old Pakeha land claims be settled. Some have been surveyed, others are not yet surveyed; let Crown Giants be given for all the rnaori lands. This is a word about Mr. Clark, senr. I do not approve of bun. When Mr. Clendon does wrong then only let another man be appointed in his place. Piripi Korongohi: Come, gather all things to your breast, and let God see what is wrong. Wi Hau: Welcome. This was the word to Governor Browne when he visited the Waimate- I his is unity. Welcome, Governor Grey, with your new system, Governor Browne proposed to establish townships so that the Pakehas and Maories could live together. The pieces of land have been surveyed, and we are waiting for the fulfilment of his word ; there is perhaps some error, for we have performed our promise, whereas his is not yet performed. Do you agree to Governor Browne’s word. Welcome with your new system, welcome to your old friends. Te Wha: Welcome, Governor Grey, with vour new plans ; be kind to me like the anointing of Saul in former days. Tamati Paua : Welcome, you alone shall be our back. Wipe away the sins of this island. When you came before, there was evil, and you put an end to it, and now that you have come again there is wrong standing up. 1 do not approve of evil. Wipe away the sins of this island.

Aira Mura : Hearken, O Governor, Mr. Clarke was not in fault in regard to the land, the Maories were mostly in fault. Now we approve of Mr. Clarke as head over the Waiinate. Mr. Clarke was not in a fault in purchasing the land. Axes were great treasures to the Maories in former times, and land could be obtained for them. I have teen no fault in Mr. Clarke; let him be head over the Waimate. If he is like Mr, Shepherd, I approve of Mr. Cl rke. Welcome. The Catechism says that I am to do unto others as I would have others to do unto me, and to obey the Queen. Hence this word, this land has become the Queen’s. If men’s works are good only, it will be well. It will be well also if the Governor tells us his plans Naihi : Come and hearken to my words, 1 will speak about the land. My lands and all the lands about my part remain unsettled by the Pakeha, and this causes trouble. Welcome, father of all men. It is well, the tribes have spoken truly to jou HeremaiaTe Ara : Welcome. Here am I. Welcome back, father of the Ngapuhi. (Song.) I have constantly adhered to you since yon left me. You are there, O Governor. Welcome as a pa'ent for the orphan, as a shelter for the people : I am pleased, and will always adhere to you. If I prove f ilse, there is nothing that will not have a skin. If I run, I will run to the law of the Queen for safety. Welcome, Governor, welcome. There is no day wherein there will be no evil : be kind O Chiefs. Welcome, O Governo l , to your children. Hare Hikairo : VVelcome. Come and bsten, my speech will not be long. The law is the thing by which man is saved. Give us the laws of God and of the Queen. Had I commenced rhe speeches at this melting, I should have asked you about your plans, and questioned you as to what you had to communicate. Had this been done we could have properly replied to you. Papahurihia : Let there he o 4 ue word, O people, to the Governor. Behave well to the parent : murmur afterwards. lam sitting down, mount upon my back, O Governor, and 1 v ill carry you to your people at Hokianga.