NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 5, 10 March 1874, Page 55

NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We have not received the money letter which Henere Tamakeke, of Wairewa, Canterbury, says he sent to us in December last; neither have we received the one pound which Henare Potae, of the East Coast, says he gave to a gentleman at Napier to forward to us. Rutene Tainguru, of the Wakaki, Hawke's Bay, says the crops have failed in that district from the drought; and that the Natives are subsisting on fresh water shell-fish and raupo roots. Mangai Uhu Uhu informs us that on the 9th of February, at Te Aute, Napier, Ngawiki Nguha was united in marriage to Herein Eenata, Arapata Eenata to Makereta Pupu, and Arapata Niania to Ritihia Ngotungotu. A feast was given on the occasion by Eenata Pukututu in a large tent. A large number of Natives collected from various parts, and about fifty Pakehas. After the feasting was over, dancing commenced, and was kept up till twelve o clock at night. Hori Waiti, of Tokomaru, East Coast, adverting to our censure, m the Walca of 27th January last, of his. remarks respeefcmg Native chiefs, says some other person must have written the letter m question and signed his (Hori's) name to it; he disclaims all connection with it. He says both his Patch a and

his Maori friends are laughing at him for contemning Maori chieftainship, and he is in consequence much ashamed. Hone Tare Tikao's newspapers have been regularly forwarded to Akaroa, Canterbury. Possibly some other person has received them from the Post Office. He should inquire. Mr. Jeff's letter was received too late for publication. We shall notice the subject in our next. We have received "Pakeha Maori's" letter, inquiring the origin and meaning of the term Maori. We are not, at present, prepared to go into a learned disquisition on the subject. No doubt it- came originally from Hawaiki, and it applies to anything essentially Native in this country, or any country from which sprung the progenitors of the aboriginal race now inhabiting New Zealand, as " tangata Maori," native man ; " pakeha Maori" native, or naturalized, pakeha; "kiore Maori," Native rat j "wai Maori" fresh, or native water, &c. Pakeha Maori, and his friends in dispute, will see at once that a European born in New Zealand could not be called a Maori of New Zealand, because his position here is purely adventitious—he is of an alien race. In the same way the term is applied to plants indigenous to this country, not exotic.

We shall endeavour in next WaJca to notice some of the numerous letters to hand.

Subscriptions received:— From Captain Mair, for £ a. c" 1874.—Corporal ManaH Karav?a, Corporal Hare Takerei, Paora Pene, Tiaki te Pakaru, Mobi Horua, Wiremu Reweti, Eparaima Hobepa, Remi Tupuaboronuku, Te TaTvbiwbi, and Komene, all of Nibo - o - te - Kiore, Taupo, (No. 4) 5 0 0 „ Eawiri Kabia, of Runanga, Taupo, via Napier 0 10 0 1873-74.—Maika Pikaba, of Waikouaiti, Otago 1 0 0 „ From R. Woon, Esq., R.M., of "Wanganui, for Te Hira Karatia, Hobia Ngakaraka, Te Uranga Kaiwbare, of Kai Iwi, (1873) Rencti Tapa, (1874) Tamati Reina, and Renata of Koriniti 3 0 0 £9 10 0