NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Waka Maori, Volume 11, Issue 4, 23 February 1875, Page 37

NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Raniera Erihana, of Otago, informs us that Henare Paitu, an old Ngaitahu chief who died on the 4th of February instant, at Otago, was 120 years of age; and that he knew two men, named respectively. te Aparangi and Maru, who were captured by Captain Cook and set free again after their portraits had been taken by him—but we are not informed whether Henare Paitu was himself in existence at the time or not. He was noted for his precise knowledge of the ancestry of his 7iaj.ni from the. time of their migration from Turanga (Poverty Bay) down to the present time. Tamihana Aperahama, of Ivaipara, Auckland, sends us a very prolix report of the marriages of several young people at Lluriwai, with an account of the feasting, games, and religious services on the occasion. We have no space for its insertion. The Wangaeliu Natives write that a meeting was convened by them at that place, on the 10th of February instant, for the purpose of investigating the claims of certain parties to a block of land called Tupapa, and that a "certificate of title to the said land was issued, under the authority of the said meeting, in favour of Takana Rangitauira and Paora "Waihua and their respective Jiapiis." Of course it will be necessary for the parties in question to obtain a certificate from the Native Lands Court before their title can be acknowledged by law. Raniera Erihana, of Otago, has abandoned the use of intoxi-

eating drinks ; and he urges all teetotalers in the country to hold fast to their profession, "lest they become a laughingstock for those who drink." All we have to say to Hone Hira Te Wharetiti and Mita Karaka Tapa, of Kauangaroa, district of Whanganui, is that if the Native Land Court has decided in their favour, no man can take the land in question from them. Kingi Herekiekie, of Taupo, should address his arguments to those of his friends who he says are "killing" the land. The question does not affect us or our readers. It is entirely a a matter in which he and his friends alone are concerned. Raniera Erihana and the "Waikouaiti Natives should write to Mr. Under-Secretary Clarke, of the Native Department, about; the sch,ool which they are desirous of having established at that place. The letter of "A Pakeha," from Napier, is unsuitable. Haimona Tuangau, of Hokitika, thinks the Government should prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors to Maoris. So long as intoxicating liquors can be obtained in the colony, it will be impossible to prevent Maoris from drinking if they are so inclined. "With respect to this question, we refer Haimona Tuangau to our answer to Hone Heihi, of Turanga, in the Walca of November 17th, No. 23. Haimona also thinks that the Legislature, in framing laws, has not been sufficiently careful to uphold the honor of the Creator among men. " Men," he says, " are allowed to swear and profane with impunity the which was set apart for the service of G-od, whilst the slightest offence committed by a man against his fellow man is immediately punished." He fears some dread punishment, such as a famine, will be brought upon the country for the sins of the people, "for their neglect of the Almighty, and their undue exaltation of mere man." Haimona should remember that the " heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked, and that, therefore, he will continue to sin against his Maker until the end comes. The Creator has made laws for the guidance of His creature man ; and if man in his disregard of those laws, offends against his fellow man, he is punished by the laws of man. Otherwise, man, with his laws, has no right to interfere between the creature and the Creator. It is. written : —" Vengeane is mine j I will repay, saith the Lord." The Rev. G-. P. Mutu, of Kaiapoi, says that at the late election at that place for a member for the House of Representatives, 23 Maoris voted for the Hon. C. Bowen, and 13 for his opponent, Mr. Joseph Beswick. Account of death of Iliaraira Houkamau, from East Coast Natives, received ; also, letter from Hutana Taru, on drunkenness and its accompanying depravity.

Subscriptions received :— £ s. 1875.—Martin Matthew, of Port Albert, Auckland (No. 1) ... 0 10 0 Wireniu Pcpene Ngatai, of Taumarere, Kawa Kawa, Bay of Islands (No. 1) 0 10 0 Mr. Henry Williams, of Pakaraka, Bay of Islands (No. 1) 0 10 0 Mr. A. C. Arthur, of Tokomaru, East Coast (No. 1) ... 0 10 0 3J Paora Tokoahu, care of Messrs. Hallett Brothers, Eunanga, Taupo. For two years from 1st January, 1875' 1 0 0 )) Pene Amene, Eev. Matiaha Poliewa, Piripi Pahine, Ebenezer Eatapu, and Hemi Whakataka; all to the care of A. C. Arthur, Esq., of Tokomaru, East t/OiAfii fc ... ... ,. (t 111 2 10 0 >> Erom J. Stack, Esq., of Christchurch, for Hone Wetere Hauraki, of Ngawhakaputapufa, Eiverton, Otago (No. 1) ... Paora Taki, of Eapaki, Lyttelton (No. 1) 0 10 0 0 10 0 Hone Wetere Tahea, of Eapaki, Lyttelton (No. 1) 0 10 0 £7 0 0