THE FIRST WRITTEN MAORI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21117, 26 February 1932, Page 12

THE FIRST WRITTEN MAORI.

Sir,—l have read "Matanga's" article and Mr. John Parr's interesting letter re tho first printing machines in New Zealand. They may bo correct, but the machines mentioned did not print the first Maori literature, for wo know that Kendall in the year 1816 wrote and forwarded to Sydney by Captain Hanson the manuscript of a primer in tho Maori languago (see from Tasman to Marsden, pago 202, by McNah), to b 0 printed at the office of tho Sydney Gazette. It was printed in due course, and a copy of (his primer can now be seen at tho Auckland War Memorial Museum. Also Mr. Carlisle, who came to New Zealand in 1816, to help Kendall in his school work, wrote: "Tho school is being daily attended by nearly 60 young persons, 7 to 17 years old, many of whom begin to read and spell." Then he added : "And all are very attentive to some Gospel passages which have been printed in their own language." Thus -we see 16 years before William Colenso came to New Zealand the Maori language was printed and taught to them, and at least two generations of the natives were Quite conversant with the printed word. Thus we seo that Mr. Kendall was the editor and compiler of the first written Maori language. With all honour and respect clue to William Colenso and the Rev. William Yato for bringing the first printing press to Now Zealand, some honour and praise is due to Rev. Ihomas Kendall; who first brought what tho lato Sir Robert Stout called the great engine of civilisation to that noble people the Maori, viz., tho written and printed word. T. Iv. Williams. Dominion Road, Mount Eden.