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Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 13, 30 June 1874, Page 163

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European correspondents who have a knowledge of Maori are requested to be good enough to forward their communications in both languages. To the Editor of the Waka Maori. Sydney, Port Jackson, 26th May, 1874. Feiend, —Greeting. Allow me to address my Pakeha and Maori friends in New Zealand through the medium of the Waka Maori. My friends, I have heard some persons here speak of the poverty and barrenness of our country (New Zealand) in all things—money, gold, coal, oil, timber, grass, population, and a variety of other matters mentioned by them. But I think they are wrong in depreciating our country as a poverty-stricken one. How is it that England, a country far away, is acquainted with the difficulties and troubles of New Zealand, which have retarded the increase of its population and hindered its prosperity, whilst this land, distant only some 1,200 miles from us, is still in ignorance of these things ? The place where these people once lived is only distant about four miles from the Bay of Islands, the home of Hone Heke, who first commenced the troubles

in New Zealand. Then there was Te Eangihaeata and Te Rauparaha, in the neighbourhood of Port Nicholson; Te Eangitake at Waitara; Titokowaru at Patea; and a mad fellow at Taranaki, called the Ua, who originated the Hauhau fanaticism. There was also the "Waikato war against the Pakehas, and the exaltation of one man by them as a supreme chief over the land. From these two sources, the foolishness of the people and the setting up of one man, have sprung all the warfare and murders in New Zealand. Again, there was Te Kooti Rikirangi, who ferociously slaughtered women and children, falsely asserting that his god had commanded them to be slain. These were the sources of the troubles which prevented the advance and prosperity of New Zealand; and these troublous times were prolonged by the obstinacy and persistency of the Maori race. The shark is a fish emblematic of New Zealand, and the saying became proverbialized that " New Zealand would die like a shark" (i.e., die game as a shark, which is powerful, and difficult to catch). New Zealand was subdued because the English fought against it. There is no nation in the world can withstand the strength of the English and the power of their kingdom. The fish emblematical of this country (Australia) is a squid, and it may be said of it that "it died like a squid." Hence the prosperity of this country, and its variety of institutions and works of advancement. The original inhabitants of this country were like the grubs found in rotten wood. Erom their effeminacy and weakness, their insignificance and plasticity, they were unable to create difficulties or to give trouble. This accounts for the absence of obstructing agencies, and the advance and prosperity of this country, and the rapid increase of its population. Again, it is possible that Captain Cook did not make a lengthened stay in England after his return from the voyage during which he discovered these islands, and that he did not therefore fully describe them. Some of these lands of yours were colonized and brought out, as it were, in the days of Captain Cook. Eor instance, it is a hundred years since Captain Cook discovered these lands, and ever since that time this country (Australia) has been occupied by the Pakeha. What wonder, then, if the bee-hive glow with excitement and bustle ? It has attained to the age of 100 years. But New Zealand is a young hive; it has not yet had time to ripen, and to develop whatever resources it may have; it has only attained to an age of thirty-four years. So much for this depreciation of New Zealand. On the 25th of May I accompanied Colonel St. John to see the celebration, by the Volunteers, of the anniversary of the birthday of their Sovereign the Queen. Then we beheld the manoeuvres of the Pakeha. The very heavens were illuminated with the splendour and brilliancy of their uniforms. It was a magnificent spectacle, exciting wonder and admiration in the mind of the beholder. They then went through a variety of evolutions to the shrill sound of the bugles. My Maori ears were deafened with the noise. I suppose the Pakehas could distinguish and understand the commands given ; or perhaps it appeared a mere confusion of sounds, —who can say ? I, in my ignorance, could but look and listen (without understanding). It is a great thing, no doubt, to be able to hear and see, but better to be able to understand what is heard. Nevertheless it is an advantage to see something to produce laughter, and to feel the mind interested; for there was I, left all alone ! "What an awkward predicament to be in ! At length they (the Volunteers) divided into two parties —one representing the Government, and the other an enemy, or Hau Hau, as we should say. Then

they opened fire upon each other with their great guns, It was a wonder they did not'scorch each others' faces from the quantity of powder they consumed. Victory at length declared in favour of the enemy, or Hau Haus. The Governor and all the Ministry were present on the occasion. Probably, altogether, between five and six thousand persons were there. On the 27th of May I went with Mr. "W. Kentish McLean to see Blanket, a Maori, of New Zeaa member of the tribe of Ngatiraukawa. I mentioned the names of some chiefs in that district, Matene te Whiwhi and Tamihana te Rauparaha, and he recognized them at once, and himself named some others. He is much respected by the Pakehas. He has been thirty years in this country. He speaks the English language, but he still remembers his native tongue. This is the man who -.went out to sea with three Pakeha friends upon a fishing excursion. They were capsized, and his Pakeha companions called to him to take the oars of the boat, as a support to enable him to reach the shore, as he was an old man, and they were young. It did not matter about them, they would take their chance of saving themselves. But he said to them, " Exert yourselves to the utmost to reach the land. Tou are young, and have wives and children on shore. "What matter if I die ? lam old, and have neither wife nor family." He then passed the oars on to them to assist them in getting to land. Two of them (the Europeans) then swam side by side, and the third swam by himself. This last was lost, but the other two, together with the Maori, reached the land, and were saved. I record this to show how philosophically this man could answer the words of his European companions. He is employed as a look-out at the Pilot Station of Port Jackson. He would like much to go to New Zealand, but he is withheld by the Pakehas, who respect him for his good works and general propriety of conduct. Here I conclude this letter at which I have tried my hand, writing about my sojourn here. Prom the friend of you all, Major Ropata, Of Ngatiporou.