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Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 22, 3 November 1874, Page 273

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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. Waiapu, October Ist, 1874. My ± kiend,—lf you will insert in the WaJca Maori the following few remarks, addressed to your correspondents upon a subject which they have hitherto overlooked, I shall be very glad. My Maori friends, who reside in the district extending from Uawa to Patangata-, I salute you. During manv years past I have been led to observe our condition as a people, and I find that we are dwindling away. Great numbers of men, women, and children are attacked by disease, and are suffered to die off without notice. This, I think, has been because we have had no European doctor amongst us to attend to them and give them medicine. Therefore lam very desirous that we should induce a doctor to take up his abode in our district to prescribe for any future sicknesses and ailments with which we may be afflicted. This is what I propose. Let every man at once subscribe some money for this purpose, and let it be placed in the hands of some trustworthy person for safe keeping. If we find that the sum collected be not sufficient, let us make a further collection, until we have a sum sufficiently large for our purpose. Let us then publish the amount of the sum we have collected, and we can then invite some medical man to come and reside in our district, because we shall have secured the wherewith to remunerate him for his services. My friends, I and my relations have already made a commencement, as an example for others, and we have collected among ourselves a sum of £2 to be«in with. Some of you will ask who is to take charge of the money when subscribed ? 1 say let the whole tribe choose a man for a treasurer, and another for a secretary to_ manage the accounts. Doubtless he would write in his book the name of every subscriber so that no questions would be asked {i.e. no difficulty raised) when a subscriber became sick and required the services of the doctor. I shall not now exhaust my ideas on this subject; I shall wait until you all agree to the proposal which I now make, before I <*o into further particulars. I am earnestly desirous that all the people should unite in the furtherance of this scheme. I know you cannot fairly say, "Oh, we are Maoris ; we are poor; where have we money to subscribe ? " —because great numbers of you have flocked to the wailing parties on the occasions of the numerous deaths which have occurred amongst us of late, and much money is continually being spent by the relations of the deceased persons in the purchase of intoxicating drinks for the mourners. Now, my friends, large sums have

been spent in this way; but this which I propose would not come to more than a shilling, or perhaps two shillings, each man per month. My friends, I entreat you to unite with me in this project. It will not be a difficult thing for you to accomplish. From your earnest friend, Tamati Tatjtahi.

To the Editor of the Waha Maori. Matatera, "Wangaehu, October 7, 1874. Friend, —Greeting. Allow me, very briefly, to record in the WaJca Maori my appreciation of the letter of Thomas Lewis, Native School Teacher at Matatera, "Wangaehu, which appeared in the Waka of the 22nd of September last. His words of truth and warning have gladdened my heart. Yes, I am grieved at the want of attention and energy exhibited by some of the children who attend that school. But, if they persist in such conduct, they must be punished. Let it not be supposed that the parents have taught them to behave thus ; not so, they themselves are alone to blame. In fact they are Maoris, and Maori children will not hearken to their parents as the children of the Pakehas do. "We, the parents of these children, have done all that we could do in advising and exhorting them to be attentive to their school duties, and to take an interest in learning that they may attain to the superior knowledge of the Pakeha race, and possess true wisdom when we are gone. But henceforth let mere words of advice cease, and punishment be administered according to the established custom in such cases, for the parents of these children are grieved on their account. Although the children continue in ignorance, the parents have to pay their money yearly, nevertheless, to the teacher. If a child neglect to go to school for two or three weeks, those weeks have to be paid for notwithstanding ; let no child suppose its parent will not have to pay for the days which it loses—all those days have to be paid for, and the money of the parent, consequently, wasted. We read of the great progress of some of the children in other schools on the East Coast. According to our Maori ideas it is matter for shame that one should be distinguished and honoured, and another nameless and unnoticed, whether for valour as a warrior, industry in cultivating food, or liberality and generosity as a man. And the teacher will feel shame if the children under his tuition do not advance in learning. My friend Mr. Lewis, your words respecting the children of this place are most true. May you live long in the performance of works appointed by Grod; may your days be lengthened to a good old age. With respect to the children of your school, the Committee have warned them. This is all. From your affectionate friend, Hoani Maka.

To the Editor of the Waha Maori. Whanganui, Putiki, Bth October, 1874. To the helmsman of the Waka (canoe), by whose exertions its safety has been secured on the wide ocean of Kiwa during the storms and gales of past years, and will be secured during those of years yet to come. My friend, I greet you. May it be well with you, the 3STestor and preceptor of the people who live in the desert places of A.otearoa (New Zealand), that they may have knowledge of the things of the world, whether they be good or bad. We desire you to take the following letter on board

of the Walca, that the people of "Whanganui| may know the decision of the arbitration in respect of a piece of land in the Upper Whanganui, known as Tuhiariki. This arbitrament was made at a place called Karatia, at "Whanganui. The question in dispute was a claim made by Pauro to the said land (Tuhiariki), which was opposed by Aperaniko Taiawhio and others, who said that the land in question belonged to them alone. "When the contention waxed hot, the old man, Aperaniko Taiawhio, proposed that the matter should be submitted to the arbitration of intelligent chiefs of other tribes. Therefore the Ngatiapa chiefs were called in, Te "Wunu, Watene te Ranginuj, Paurini te Rangiwhakarurua, Hamiora te Hunga, and Poihipi Tukairangi of Taupo, also Pehira Turei of Whanganui, and others, to decide this matter which had been disturbing him and Pauro and others. The following are the boundaries of the said land, as submitted to the arbitrators: —Commencing at Wharetuku, going thence to the Horo ; turning here and then going direct to Ararewa; turning again here and then going direct to Opuiti; then turning again and going direct to "Wharetuku, the commencing point. There are many intervening points between the names given, but I have omitted them for the sake of brevity. "When all the witnesses arrived who were known tobe acquainted with all matters in reference to the said land, the arbitrators forthwith commenced the investigation. After all the evidence had been taken, the arbitrators proceeded to view the land in dispute. On their return they informed Pauro and his party, that, in the whole of the evidence taken before them, they had not discovered anything to substantiate his claims to Tuhiariki, or any part of its boundaries; and that their decision was that Pauro and his party had no claims whatever to the said lands, or any part of it; and they affirmed the claim of Aperaniko Taiawhio and his party to the whole of the said land, Tuhiariki, and all its boundaries. This arbitrament was made this day. Aperaniko Taiawhio is about to have the land in question surveyed. This letter is from Major Kemp.

To the Editor of the WaJca Maori. Alexandra, Pirongia, 17th September, 1874. Feiekd, —Greeting. I have heard, and I have seen, that the WaJca Maoriis a most excellent paper; in other words, that it is a waka (a canoe) powerful to stem and surmount the broken crests of ocean's waves. I apply to it a familiar saying of ours:— "There is no fear (of it). It is somewhere ranging the ocean, light as a buoyant board." I send you a few words, which you can take on board the WaJca if you will. I have been thinking about the statements of those men respecting the damage done to the land and to the men who live upon it. (WaJca, August 11th, Destruction of Forests). There is nothing evil in the land itself, but man has brought evil upon it. God causes the fruits of the earth to spring up and grow for the benefit of man, and by man they are marred and destroyed. The fruits of the earth, to which I allude, are trees and vegetation; and these men destroy by burning, wickedly wasting the productions of the earth which the Creator has caused to grow. Hence the soil becomes barren and unfruitful, and man suffers in consequence. My friends, this proposal to conserve the forests is a very proper one, so that the soil may retain its fertility and produce fruits for the sustenance of man.

I have a word to say respecting this vile pet of mankind—ardent spirits. It is not so much the drink which should be Warned as man himself. He sees that it is a vile and dangerous thing, nevertheless he willingly embraces it—like a fluttering moth, seeing a fire, straightway it flies into it and is consumed outright. My friends, ye who have the conduct of measures for the good and well-being of the people, pour forth like water your good works upon this people who are dwindling away. Ask not the reason of their decadence, the roots of the evil are known. Although the people are declining, there may, nevertheless, be some men of intelligence yet among them to forward the work of revivification. But the Pakehas are the only people in the world possessing knowledge and understanding, both of the things of the heavens and of the things of the earth. But the Maoris! This people, the Maori, is an ancient people. Have patience—possibly they may yet have energy to pursue knowledge for their own benefit. Why not ? Prom Pikia, Another stranger friend of "Waikato.