OPEN COLUMN.

Waka Maori, Volume 11, Issue 11, 8 June 1875, Page 127

OPEN COLUMN.

European correspondents who have a knowledge of Maori are requested to be good enough to forward their communications in both languages. NATIVE MEETING ON THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC, TAURANGA. To the Editor of the Wa7ca JSlaori. (Continued from Waka, No. 10.) Mr. Warbrick next addressed the meeting. He said—Friends, I greet you. I am proud to see the whole of the Tauranga tribes here this day, to consider the great question of temperance. We know the benefits arising from total abstinence. Let us all strive to expel the demon drink from our fair land. Hitherto there has been no special means whereby you could satisfactorily join the ranks of the Good Templars. A great man has come from the other side of the water—Mr. Hastings—and has fully instructed us what to do in the matter, and his desire is that you should have lodges established amongst you. I trust that you will reflect seriously upon this all-important subject, and from this moment renounce the use of all intoxicants. Be encouraged, though few in number, to come forward and join the Templars' standard, remembering that even in Tauranga twelve months ago I stood alone, but now. look around, and you will see even in this large assemblage many European friends, who have since nobly joined the ranks. Our numbers are now about 120, and the result of this union, strength, and enterprise is this large beautiful hall, in which we are now gathered. lam pleased to hear the utterances this day. I hope that you will all enrol yourselves members iu this good cause. Temperance melody in Maori:— Aib: " Ring tho Bell, Watchman." Lo! oil the petals of hundreds of flowers Tremble the dew drops in glittering showers, Stealing o'er the lowlands, then in upland flight, Rising o'er the mountain crest, and o'er the rocky height High on the hill top e'er it is dawn, Dews, ye are waking, at the infant morn ; Waking o'er the inlands, waking round the sea, Offspring of the heavens, thrice beauteous to see. Glitter, O ! ye dew-drops, on the flowery bells ; Now upon the open leaves, and now within their cells ; Now upon the headless stem, and then in wanton play, Shining on the peaceful bough, and on the lofty spray. High on the hilltop, &c.

Fot dews the drinks that erring men distil; They stupify, they madden, and at length enchain the -will; They bring confusion to the heart, and foul also our breath j Embitter day by day our lives, and hasten on our death. High on the hill top, &c. Mr. T. J. Henshaw next addressed the meeting, and said—Friends, salutations. My words on this great and good subject (Good Templary) will be but few. Hearken unto them, Omy friends, and let them reach the innermost recesses of your heart. I am proud to see that you, the people of Tauranga, are the first of your noble race that have ever gathered together for the purpose of suppressing the. use and sale of intoxicating drinks. By so doing you are not only conferring an everlasting benefit upon yourselves, but you are also commanding the confidence, respect, and esteem of the entire European population of New Zealand. Tour children will live to love and honor you for it, and the Almighty God, whose all-seeing eye is bent upon you at this moment, will keep watch over you, and give you strength to guard against the greatest of all evils the use of that drink that steals away your brains with which you are so "bountifully endowed, and which brings your body to premature decay and an untimely grave. Temperance melody in Maori:— Aib : "The Crystal Spring."—(Translation.) Pour me a draught from the water spring, When the sun is hot and bright; "When the trees of the woods their shadows fling, And the water streams with light. Pour me a draught from the water spring, When the winds are fanning the ground j When the thirsty leaves in languor droop O'er the peaks and plains around. Pour me a draught from the water spring, When the cold asserts its sway ; When the leaping water's roar is heard, As it rushes in frantic play. Pour me a draught from the water spring, When the fruit smiles on the bough, For the abstainers whose brave deeds ring Through the days that are passed as now. Enoka Te Whanake said—Friends, greeting. lam a G-ood Templar, and have seen the good work of that body. The great people of the world are the first to take action in this great movement. Drink is a, great curse; it brings people of education and position to a level with the brute. Now that lam a Good Templar, all the people ask me into the hotels to drink. I wish they would discontinue the practice. Mr. C. O. Davis said—Friends, I have verv little to say. The subject has been exhausted by the previous speakers. I must say, however, that I am extremely glad to see so many of you present, and to witness the great interest you take in this grand work. God is in Heaven, and man is on the earth; but God and man are one. That is, He delights to bless and cheer every one who turns away from evil, and treads in the path which is good. We must look to Him for help. Then we shall be strong to encounter every difficulty—to overcome every obstacle and to conquer every foe. There is safety and happiness in doing what is right. I hope therefore that you will join the Good Templars. This meeting has not been called to enrol you as Good Templars; but simply to discuss the question as to whether the drinking usages of the day are right or wrong. But we all know they are wrong, wrong,

wrong. Therefore, I ask you, one and all, to relinquish their use for ever. Temperance hymn in Maori:— Tune : " Sicilian Mariners."—(Translation.) Up, ye friends of truth and right, Be courageous in the fight, So that we may more than win, Showing to the heart its sin. Fight we those who strangely go After rum, their deadly foe ; Though they move on ruin's brink, Still they hanker for the drink. Shame has left their brazen brow. See them struggling flound'ring now; They of mire have made a friend, Deeds like theirs in mire must end. Drawn by rum from paths of light, Downward to the shades of night; O ! direct them in the way Upward to the path of day. After the melody, one of the chiefs on the stage, offered up a prayer and pronounced the Benediction, after which the meeting closed. While the audience were retiring, the following verse of a hymn was sung in Maori by the choir : Tcnb : "God Save the Queen." —(Translation.) O, Father! bless us now, And mercifully Thou Our hearts sustain. O that the liquid, may From us be put away ; Nor let its evils sway i Our minds again. The hymns and melodies were composed by Mr. C. O. Davis, in the Maori tongue, by whom also the translations have been furnished. Mr. Davis conducted the musical department in conjunction with Mr. Russell, who officiated at the piano. (To be continued.)