NELSON NATIVES.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 294, 14 August 1860, Page 2

NELSON NATIVES.

Nelson, 3rd May, 1860. Slß>—l beg to forward to your Honor the accompanying translations of letters received by me from the natives of this Province, containing their sentiments with regard to the Taranaki outbreak, and their avowed determination to adhere to the Government, and to respect the laws of the Queen. I have given these translations as strictly literal as the sense would allow. These letters are signed by the principal Chiefs of each district at the request of the whole of their people, I have, &o, r W. Jenkins, Native Interpreter. His Honor the Superintendent, Nelson. .

Nelson, 30th May, 1860. 0 Friend Governor Browne, I salute you. I write these words to you lest you should conclude that I am living here on ill terms with the Pakehas. 1 have but one desire, and that is, that I and all who dwell in this Island should conduct ourselves properly; and indeed I know that all the Maori -people of this island desire good, and that only. We will not be like those who have wrought evil af Taranaki. All my people are resolved to. unite in one purpose, and that is to submit to the Queen and to Governor Browne, as one protector and benefactor, and the dispenser of good things both for body and soul. This is all I wish for myself, and for my people. I am not so ignorant as to close my eyes to that which is good for myself and those who dwell with me. I wish to raise myself to an equality with my friends the Pakehas, and that our thoughts and actions may be one. I have carefully enquired of all my people respecting their views and intentions with respect to the future, and they all with one consent agree to abide by the laws of the Queen. I am desirous that they should seriously think, and diligently search out for themselves that they may discern the difference between good and evil. the names of the people who unite in these sentiments are here appended, and are forty-four. Your respectful friend, Wi Kateke te Puoho. Ko Wirape Mahi Ko Eruera „ Komene „ Rawiri te Rauhihi „ Tiopira „ Inia Te Rei Wharau „ Rawiri Te Kstu „ Te Rei Kauhoe „ Hoani Taitapu „ Aperahama „ Wiremu Ngapara „ Wairape Takarangi „ Heneri te Ranga „ Ngakapa „ Rameka „ Mechana „ Paramena „ Rawiri „ Kawana Poara „ Poriana „ Te Watene „ Tireni „ Riwai „ Kereopa „ Paratene „ Heneri te Keha „ Tamati „ Eruera Tatona j, Aperuhama „ Te Hertfwini „ Takerei „ Hoani „ Toto „ Te Meihana „ Tipene „ Retimona „ Matenga „ Pene „ Paukena „ Te One M Karehana

Pariwhakaoho, Massacre Bay, 18th April, 1860. Sirs,—Our respects to you. Having heard that you wished us to assemble in order that we might express our thoughts concerning our attachment to the Queen's authority, and our obedience to the laws of religion: we have done so, and this is our determination (i.e. all the natives of Massacre Bay). We will all nestle under the wings of our God and of the Queen. We learn from the Bible that "Queens shall be nursing mothers" and also that God will take care of our souls.

Sirs, our Assembly wish you to send us a reply to sooth and quiet our minds —do not delay. From your respectful friend. 0, Henkri te Keha, And the whole Assembly. Messrs. Robinson and Domett.

[A mixture of the Ngatitama and the Ngatfawa tribes. Heneii te Keha is an aged and influential chief.—W. J.I

Auckland, April 28,1860. Salutations to you all, who administer the laws of God, and of the Queen. We have arrived here, and have been with the Governor, and he is pleased with what you have done in bringing all under the laws of the Queen who reside at Wakapuaka, at Motueka, at Kaiaua, at the Pelorus, at Queen Charlotte's Sound, at the Wairau, and at Massacre Bay. The Governor's intentions towards William Kirg are good, he wishes him to make an end of his evil work (i.e. cease to war against the Pakeha), and to turn his wrath against the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki tribes, who have committed the murders in the neighborhood. We shall ask the Governor to go to the meeting of the Waikato chiefs to hear what they talk about, whether for good or evil. I very much admire the conduct of the Governor. When we have heard what the Waikatos say, then we shall proceed to Waitara to see what William King is about; if he is still obstinate, we can't help it. The Governor has behaved kindly towards him. This is all from HoHEPA TaMAIHENGA. Messrs, Domett, Poynter, and Robinson.

Motupipi, Massacre Bay, April 9,1860. Proceed 0 my letter of respect containing my sentiments to Messrs. Robinson and Domett. Salutation1 to you both. Listen to* my words and to my thoughts, which are only good. The first appearance of life for man is in religion. The laws of God are the veins of goodness, this is taught to us by religion. The laws of the Queen also proceed from religion, and those laws sh.ew forth Peace, Mercy, and Goodwill, So also are the laws of the Government here!, they are the salvation of the people, and teach us to dwell in peace upon these foundations of righteousness and truth. And these laws shall be a refuge an d hiding place for me. I wish to dwell in quietness and peace only. This is my oath made in the sight of the Government, and approved by t he whole assembly here. Ra wiri Watino (Assesser), Ho haia te Rangirunga (Teacher). [This assemibly was composed of Ngatiawa Natives of wh om Rawiri and Hohaia are wellknown chiefs.-—W. J.]

Aorere, Massacre Bay, 12th April, 1860. SihSj—Listen to what we say. The assembly convened by Wiromu Kingi te Koihua have •agreed to continue to obey God and the Queen, and to dwell in peact*. We send you these words because we heard that you wished us to assemble to express our allegiance to the laws of God, and "of the Queen. These are the words of Your respectful friends, WaRiMU Kingi Koihua, And 41 of the younger brethren atsembled at Aorere. Messrs. Robinson and Domett. [This assembly was <c«niposed chiefly of Ngatiawa natives, some of w&un are nearly related to William King.—W.J.]

U'Orville's Island, L2th April, 1860. Great has beera our lave -std respect towards you in all past ye ars, and it continues so even to the present time. Wear ye our words: we do not approve of the evil laws and customs of the Maories. However, you inusit be already aware, from our past conduct, that <Dtir thoughts are jgood towards yon, md that we \f*h •till to «be«r but

"kindness to the Pakeha as well as to the Maori. This is an established custom of the people of this Island, and you all know that this district has been undisturbed by evil. These are the words of the Council of Ngatikoata. ; (Signed) Maka Tarapiko. Rene te Oabnuku. - Raniera te Patetk. To Messrs. Robinson^ Domett, ; Poynter, and all who administer the laws of Qneen Victoria. [The Ngatikoata is a branch of the Ngatitoa, of which tribe Te Rauparaha was chief.—W. J.J

(Copy of a letter written by Hohepa to D. McLean, Esq.) . . . Nelson April 9,1860. Friend MoLbak, —Salutations to you and to the Governor who are now in those places of disturbance, I am here with the Superintendent attending to the Queen's work. We are going to assemble all the natives, and bring them under the shadow of the wings of the Queen. When this reaches you hasten to write to me that I may go forth to you that I may talk with you and with the Governor: for my love and respect for you both is not diminished in these troublesome times. If I get down to see you soon then I shall know better what to do. From your respectful friend, HOEEPA TAMAIHAN«. Mr. McLean.

Waikawa, Queen Charlotte's Sound, 6th April, 1860. O Friendi and brethren the Pakehas who dwell in the midst of the laws of the Queen. We here are bending our knees betore the Queen, and we see no other way for our thoughts at present. We are-dwelling under the Queen's shadow. Friend Hohepa we hear what you say concerning the Pakehas, and we are all determined to lean upon the power of the Queen, there is no other way for us. This island has been already proclaimed by us a sacred place for the Queen; let all the inhabitants be sacred to the Queen, both Pakeha and Maori: for the laws of the Queen are our protection, and the defence of this Island, and its inhabitants. Friend Hohepa: see to it that you get all the Maories of Massacre Bay, and of Whakapuaka to express their thoughts on this subject. You had better also get Wiremu Katene te Manu to assist you. These are the words of us all. (Signed) Ropoama te One. ROPATA WITIKAU. Inaia Paihia. Ihaka te Wharekaoho.

Nelson, April 17, 1860. 0, friend, the Governor! we salute you! We have assembled at Nelson by the consent of Messrs. Robinson, Domett, and Poynter. And these are our words. Speech of Hohepa Tamaihengia : Listen to me Ngatitoa! Listen to what William King te Bangetake has done: he has laid down a great evil before the Governor. His error is very great in jumping upon <he land which Te Teira had given into the right hand of the Governor and of the Queen. 0 lriend, the Governor! we do not approve of the evil doings of the Ngatiruanui and Taranaki tribes. Their error is their own, but as for us, we will be sheltered by the wings of the Queen. Ihaka Pukeroa: Listen, 0 Ngatirarua! We have nothing else to do but to trust in the Government. And as for the error of William King, he is wrong even according to our own laws. Aperahama te Panakenake: Listen to me my children : I have only one word for you. Let us abide under the authority of the Queen ! Speech of Matenga te Aopouri: Hear me, oye younger men! Many disturbances have passed behind us; and as for this evil work which interferes with the laws of God and of the Queen; what have we to do with it ft Speech of Takerei te Wareaitu : Listen, Oh ye tribes to my word. William King's work is a bad work : let us not cleave to his wicked devices. Speech of Hapimanu Mokoera ; Listen to me ye tribes who recline upon the laws of God and ot the Queen! William King is doing an evil work. He has broken both the laws of God and the laws of the Queen. Let us not Sympathize with him in this matter. Signed also by WIBIHANU R.AUAKITUA PIRIMONA WEUWEU Karira Tonoa HoROMONU NoHORUA By the request of the whole of the Ngatitoa, Ngatirarua, and Ngatitamu people. [These tribes reside chiefly in Massacre Bay, and at Whakapuaka, and Motueka. They assembled in Nelson by the request of Hohepa.— W. J.]