NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 22, 3 November 1874, Page 269

NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

We cannot publish the long list of names of the descendants and relations of Karetai and Taiaroa and their ancestors. The genealogies of private individuals are not generally matters of public interest, and we cannot fill up our pages with such communications, more particularly as we have numerous letters on hand from all parts of the country, on much more interesting subjects, which we cannot find space to publish. The letter from Maika Pikaka, of Dunedin, is not suitable for the columns of a newspaper. There are courts of law for dealing with such matters. With respect to your question about the occupation of reserves, application should be made to I. N. Watt, Esq., Dunedin. The Natives of Opape, in the district of Opotiki, inform us that they have erected a house to be used for the general purposes of a council-hall, a court-house, and a hostelry for strangers. The work was commenced on the 29th of June last. It is 54 feet 6 inches in length ; 24 feet in width; height from floor to ridgepole, 12 feet 3 inches; height of walls, 6 feet 6 inches. There are four carved pillars supporting the ridgepole. The rafters and battens of the roof, the gable-boards, and the whole front of the house, are also carved. The walls inside are boarded with planed boards 2 feet up from the ground, and the remaining ■!• feet 6 inches are covered with ornamental work. The cost if the food consumed in connection with the construction of this house was £2OO, towards which the Resident Magistrate of the district contributed £2 on behalf of the Government.

Letters from Huriwaka and Wepihi Apanui received. Tamihana Aperahama, of Kaipara, Auckland, informs us that in the month of September last some young people of rank, members of the Ngatiwhatua tribe, were united in the bonds of matrimony. Upwards of 100 people sat down to a plentiful repast. After the feasting was over, William Pomare, (a Native minister), and some of the elders of the tribe, addressed the young people assembled on the occasion, urging them to abandon drinking "rum," and assuring them that "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." They strongly urged that the use of intoxicating liquors at funeral assemblies should be discontinued. After the addresses were over the young people commenced dancing, which was kept up till one o'clock in the morning. Tamihana expresses his great admiration at the fine appearance of the dresses of the company—the gentlemen wearing " white shirts and black coats, and the ladies rejoicing in silks." We have received a long letter from Tuhakaraina, of Tamahere, Waikato, which we should like to publish. But it would require two or three papers of the size of the Waka Maori to contain the numerous letters addressed to us ; we have therefore to omit many interesting letters. Tuhakaraina is pleased that Parliament has directed its attention to a question of so great importance to the country as the conservation of forests, and he speaks in glowing terms of Mr. Vogel's energy in bringing forward the experience of other countries in regard to the destruction of forests. He thinks the sawyers destroy more timber than any one else. Speaking of the progress of the country, he thinks the inhabitants should no longer be called "Pakehas" and "Maoris," but that all should be called "New Zealanders." Such a distinction he thinks has a tendency to keep up a feeling of separation and disunion between the races. All are under the same laws, and have adopted the same customs, and all eat the same kind of food; numerous schools have been established, and "all will shortly speak the same language—then why should they not be called by the same name ? " _ With respect to the drinking habits of the people, he is of opinion that drunkards should be left to take their own course, as they will not be advised. We fear these propositions of our friend, Tuhakaraina, will not bear examination. He alludes in another part of his letter to the havoc committed upon the crops by pheasants. He says " These birds are good eating, but very destructive to crops." We only send one copy of the paper to EruNeh.ua. Possibly the other is sent to him by some Government officer in the Whangarei district. The second letter of Tamihana Aperahama is of no importance. Hemi Warena, of Manawatu, sends us a long and closely written letter about the late floods at Palmerston, and the sufferings of the Natives and Pakehas in consequence, and the loss of cattle, horses, and pigs. The report of the Native meeting at Wharekahika (Hicks' Bay), on the 3rd of October, has just come to hand, and will appear in due time. The great length of the report of the Wharekahika meeting will preclude the publication in our next issue of Horomona Hapai's report of a meeting held at Purehua, East Coast, in August last. We shall, however, publish it at as early a date as possible, as we consider it more than usually interesting and important. Tapiata Kiwi has received his papers up to No. 14 only, he says. All his papers were sent to Whangapoua, the address given by him originally. A.fresh lot of these since issued are now sent to Kennedy's Bay, Harataunga, as required. We will look into the "Lament" composed by Werahiko as soon as possible. We have received a letter from one Charles Groodhue, complaining that a Native, residing at Taumarere, whose name we are unable to decipher, has not of late received his papers. We shall be glad if Charles Goodhue will write again, giving us the name of the Native distinctly, and informing us where " Taumarere" is situated.

Subscriptions received £ 8. d. From R. Woon, Esq., R.M., Whanganui for :— 1874-75.—Werahiko Hauauru, of Koroniti, Whanganui 1 0 0 1874.—Karaitiana, of Iruharama, Whanganui ... 0 10 0 „ Hoani Paiaka, of Koiro, Tuh.ua, Whanganui (No. 22) 0 10 0 1873-74.—Tc Koeti, of Te Hoko, Whanganui... 0 10 0 1875-76. —Karehana Tahau, of Kaivrhaiki, Whanganui (No. 22) 1 0 0 1874. —Utiku Marumaru, ofParewanui 0 10 0 1873-74.—Hori Kerei Paipai, of Putiki, Whanganui ... 0 10 0 1874.—Henere Wira, of Kaiapoi, Canterbury, for three months (No. 20) 0 2 6 1874-75.—Gk &. Boyd, Esq., of Wharekahika, of Hick's Bay, Waiapu (No. 22) 0 10 0 „ James Cootes, Esq., of Otaki (No. 22) 0 10 0 „ Wiremu Paekohe, of Te Mahia, Hawke's Bay (No. 18) 0 10 0 £6 2 6