GILBERT MAIR’S MESSAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11705, 18 December 1923, Page 3

GILBERT MAIR’S MESSAGE

TO THE ARAWA TRIBES. A FULL TRANSLATION. A complete translation of the farewell message of the late Captain Gilbert Hair t.o the Arawa tribe has been made. The message contains many eloquent passages; among them are the following:— "Farewell Matawhaura! Te Tahuna! It pleases me that your majesty, grandeur and natural beauty are preserved for all times to the glory.of Te Arawa and succeeding generations. "A moment hut ’remains and the heart will cease beating, my people farewell! Your fathers 'blazed the track, you walk well and truly therein. ”oh, my people! While life yet remain let me for one brief moment conjure up tile past which seems eo filled with your many kindnesses that I wish health and long life.

“My children be men, be strong and move with a peaceful heart —my days and those of your fathers were days of strife when human blood was shed—your a are days of peace when mutual and wise counsels, love for on# another and. the race prevail. Be therefore brave in the day of peace, and may the Almighty, in His Providence* bless and sustain you. ‘ Record faithfully, my dear son, these few words, and deliver to my foremost people. If the opportunity to meet them in assembly had presented itself my heart would have rejoiced—but you see me now full of years—aged. Subtribes and component divisions of Te Arawa ally yourselves into one powerful whole. “Farewell my people! We shall meet again in the other world. May God have mercy- on the canoe for all time. A word to staunch comrades who shoulnered arms in upholding the Treaty of Waitangi and whose services are acknowledged by the Queen’s medal. “Greetings to you! Thoughts revert to those stormy and troublesome days we passed through, and the heart rejoices that what you fought for then is being upheld now. Feace reigns over the island and its life. You and they who have passed away have made New Zealand -a home where the greatest nation, the English, live side by side with the smallest race, the Maori, under one law and loving one another. “Greetings to you, the . courageous! This soldier is going to thoee soldiers who have departed to tell them all is well -behind. Farewell survivors of the Great War! God bless you all! Greetings to you,—From jour loving elder, Captain Mair."