ANSWERS AND NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 17, 25 August 1874, Page 207

ANSWERS AND NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Winikerei te Whetuiti, of Shortland, Auckland, says that "women and land" were the principal treasures of the ancients. Because Tama-te-Kapua had stolen Kea (a woman), from Ngatoroirangi, the canoe in which they both came from Hawaiki to this island was, through the spells and charms of the latter, nearly swallowed by the Parata, (a supposed enormous sea animal—a Kraken) —he, Ngatoroirangi, being willing to sacrifice his own life in order to secure the destruction of Tama-te-Kapua, aud it was only by counter spells and charms that the whole party escaped. Therefore, woman has always been valued. He proceeds to say that a Native woman, whilst travelling along the road in company with her husband, was met by some European, who made improper proposals to her; and he complains that in tho case of the Pakeha the law appears to be powerless, whilst if a Maori had so acted to a white woman, the law would have imprisoned him. Winikerci is wrong in this matter, and he is thoroughly aware that he is wrong. If any Native suffer wrong at the hands of a European, he can obtain redress in the courts of law, in the same manner as a European could—indeed, in consideration of their ignorance of our law, the Maoris have been treated in our courts with much more leniency than would have been shown to an offending Pakeha. None but a low, disreputable, individual would so insult any woman, whether she were in company with her husband or not. Winikerei also complains of the damage which the pheasants do to the Native crops. In olden times there was nothing to fear from anything but frosts, and they could produce food plentifully; now, however, their maize,

kumaras, potatoes, taros, wheat, oats, and all other crops, aro largely destroyed by the pheasants, and it has become necessary for a man to cultivate largely to get any return at all. " The Maoris," he says, " cannot cultivate as the Pakehas do; they have no money, and but few ploughs. Those who have to cultivate by hand have but small cultivations, and suffer in consequence more than those who have ploughs. If they kill the birds out of the proper season, they must go to gaol; if they leave them alone, they must lose their crops;" and he asks, how they are to avoid these two evils ? No doubt the pheasants are troublesome. But Winikerei and his friends are in no worse position than very many of his Pakeha friends who have no ploughs, and have to cultivate by hand. Let him observe them, and do as they do. The cultivations must be watched. The birds which are being introduced by the Pakehas destroy multitudes of insects, which would probably be more destructive to the crops than the birds themselves. Anaru Te Poroa, of Shortland, Auckland, wants all the back numbers of the Waha, and desires to know the cost. The Waha Maori was commenced some ten or eleven years ago, at Napier. We cannot supply all the back numbers, but Anaru can have those published in Wellington during the years 1872 and 1873, by forwarding the sum of £l. Rutene Ahunuku, of Turanga, says he gave his subscription for the Walia Maori, to a certain Pakeha of that place, to be forwarded to us, so far back as 1872. We have not received it. Ngawharau, of Te Kohekohe, Waikato, informs us that he has seen a wild pigeon with a red bill and legs, and a body white as that of a sea-gull. We beg to acknowledge the receipt of the first number of "Te Wananga," a small newspaper, published bv the Maoris at Pakowhai, Ahuriri. We shall probably notice It in our nest issue. Hori Niania, of Waipukurau, telegraphs to us to send his paper to that place in future—not to Patangata as heretofore. His request shall be attended to. We beg, however, to remind him that he has not paid his subscription for two years past. A number of letters received must stand over.

Subscriptions received:— £ s. d. 1873.—Henaro Potac, of Turanga 0 10 0 1874.—Henare Potae, of Turanga Matiu Te Aranui, of Maugakaliia, Wlia0 10 0 ngarei, Auckland 0 10 0 >> Anaru Te Poroa, of Shortland, Auckland (No. 1) 0 10 0 jj Hone Pohutu, caro of Messrs. Walker and Bendall, of Te Mania, Hawkc's Bay (No. 14) 0 10 0 3J Rewi Wlmrerakau, care of A. M. McDonell, Esq., Wairoa, Ha-wke's Bay (No. 16) 0 10 0 From R. Woon, Esq., R.M., of Whanganui, for 1873.—Ie Retiu Mahutonga; 1873-74, Hipirini Pihopa; 1874, Kawana Paipai ; Takarangi Mete Kingi; Hone Waitere, of Turakina; 'Komeno Tamauta, of Whenuakura ... 3 0 0 £6 0 0