NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 21, 20 October 1874, Page 259

NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Mohi Wikitahi, of Waima, Hokianga, thinks the telegraph wires should be erected along the lines of road only. He complains that the wires are carried over their fences and cultivations, and through their forests, and that the bush is felled to a width of SO feet to admit of the wire being carried through it. This procedure, he thinks, is not carrying out Mr. Vogel's idea, published in the papers, of preserving the forests and " preventing the drying up of the streams by which man's life is sustained." He is of opinion that messages from Maories should be sent free, as the line is erected on their property and goes through their forests, necessitating the cutting down of their timber. He approves of roads going through their districts, because they receive a benefit from them. Our friend Mohi Wikitahi should remember that works of this nature are for the general good of the whole country. Without them we should for ever remain in a state of comparative ignorance, poverty, and barbarism ; we could not advance with the other nations of the world —in short, the child would never become a man. Doubtless some individuals may be temporarily inconvenienced by these things, but the permanent good of the whole body of the people must be considered ; and thi9 is the policy of all good Governments in the world, namely, to pursue that course which will be most beneficial to the nation at large, although some few may be inconvenienced thereby. It cannot be said that the showers which descend from heaven, watering and refreshing the earth, are not good, because some few individuals get a wetting, or because streams are sometimes flooded thereby and men get drowned. James Palmer, of Tauranga, is very irate because he does not receive his paper —so he tells us. We can only say that the Waka is regularly posted to his address at Tauranga, and also to Joseph Palmer. As we said before, we have not received the money which he says he sent to us in February last. We

received from Mr. Clarke, in Wellington, the sum of 10s., on account of Joseph Palmer, which sum we duly acknowledged in No. 20 of the WaTca.

Te Retimana, of Nelson, desires it to be notified that the people of Ngatitama have returned'to their possessions at Taranaki, and any members of that tribe, residing in other parts of the colony, are requested to join them there. We have received a long letter from Rini Hemoata, of Whanganui, about the death and burial of Tahana Turoa. As we published a notice of that chief's death in our last WaTca, it is not necessary to refer to it again. Hamiora te Ahuroa, of Waikato, highly approves of Mr. Vogel's utterances respecting the conservation of forests in New Zealand. He says the Pakeha sawyers commit great havoc in the forests; they cut down the small trees to make skids for the large ones, and they destroy great quantities of timber without any consideration whatever. He complains that two articles of Maori food are being destroyed by the active industry of the Pakeha in cultivating the land, viz., eels and fern-root. And the berries and edible plants of the forest, which were important articles of food among the Maories, are disappearing before the operations of the sawyers. We would just ask Hamiora if he desires to give up the flour and potatoes, and the beef, and the mutton, and the pork, and the great variety of other food introduced by the Pakeha, and return to his eels, and berries, and roots of old ? With respect to the latter part of his letter, referring to improper expressions addressed to his wife and female friends, by certain Pakehas, we advise him to pay no attention to the remarks of such blackguards. If he has any serious complaints to make, he can obtain redress in any Court of Justice. We have received a number of letters from various parts, giving boundaries of blocks of land, which some of the owners are desirous of retaining. We have nothing to say in respect of such matters, and can only refer them to the Land Purchase Commissioners. Riwi Taikawa, of Whangarei, Auckland, would be glad if " G\D., A friend of the Maories," would continue to write letters of advice to the Maories. He says G-.D.'s letter, published in the WaTca of July 28th last, exactly described the character of the Maories, and he was very much ashamed of himself when he read it. He was not previously aware that the Maories had so many bad qualities. Wiremu Kingi Tutepakihirangi, of Kaikoura, Middle Island, approves of the manner in which the petition respecting Maori claims in the Middle Island was received in the House, inasmuch as a promise has been given that the matter shall be adjusted. Tamihana Aperahama, of Hiorekata Kaipara, Auckland, expresses his satisfaction at the establishment of telegraphic communication and mails in this country, and the making of railways, and roads, and laws for the guidance of both races. He says the appearance of a G-overnor in the Kaipara district is like the " Appearance of a white crane —seldom seen neverthelesss his people, for the last 34 years, have been loyal subjects to the Queen and obedient to her laws. Letters duly received from Pikia, of Alexandra; Tuhakaraina, of Tamahere, Waikato ; Te Ranapia and others, of Opotiki; Raniera Erihana, of Otago; Maika Pikaka, of Waiari, Dunedin; Tamihana .Aperahama, of Kaipara, Auckland; Taimona Pita te Ahuru, of Whanganui; Tamati Tautahi, of Waiapu, East Cape; and Hoani Maka, of Wangaehu, Whanganui.

Subscriptions received :— £ 8. d. From It. Woon, Esq., R.M., Wlianganui, for— 1873-74.—Angikiha Takurua, of Koriniti, Wlianganui ... 0 10 0 1874.— Reihana Kauki, of Ruapirau, Whanganui 0 10 0 „ Tc Koronelio, of Ranana, Whanganui... 0 10 0 „ Te Mawae, of Putiki, Wlianganui 0 10 0 „ Noa te Rauliihi, of Rangitikei ... 0 10 0 1874-75.—Tamakore, of Irukarama, Wlianganui 0 10 0 „ Winiata, of Wlianganui 0 10 0 „ Hamiora te Ahuroa, of Tamaliere, Waikato ("No. 19) 0 10 0 „ Hapeta te Hopu Wbakamairu, of Kawatiri, Westport, Middle Island (No. 20) 0 10 0 £4 10 0