NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

Waka Maori, Volume 11, Issue 14, 20 July 1875, Page 161

NOTICES AND ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.

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cedure he declares "the gods" have revealed to him that she has been carrying on an intrigue with Utiku, our correspondent. Of course Utiku indignantly denies the " soft impeachment" and is very angry. The "gods" are again appealed to, and this time they affirm that the charge is altogether a trumped-up story of the wrong-doer for the purpose of terrifying his wife into quiet submission to his will. We know that the Ngatiapa people are ambitious of being regarded by the other tribes of the island, and by the Pakehas especially, as a people of superior intelligence and wisdom. But we assure them that the only result of their adoption of the ancient practice of appealing, to socalled " gods " and familiar spirits will be to make their tribe a laughing-stock in the sight of all men of intelligence, whether Pakeha or Maori. It is a vestige of the customs of a past age of ignorance and darkness and crime, which, in the present generation, are fast disappearing under the light of civilization and Christianity. We cannot, however, believe that the men who represent the intelligence of the Ngatiapa tribe are for one moment deceived in this matter. The practice of witchcraft, in the present day, is a mere artifice adopted by the evil-disposed (and believed in more or less by the ignorant) for the purpose of affording greater scope for the gratification of their evil passions, and the better carrying out of their nefarious designs. Polygamy, we are informed, is a vice which is on the increase among the Ngatiapas. While it is discouraged among many other tribes, which are making rapid strides in the march of intellect and civilization, it appears to be regarded with indifference, if not with favour, among the Ngatiapas. There could be no surer sign of their retrogression into a state of moral degradation and primitive darkness and ignorance. Among Englishmen, any man known to be living with two wives would not be tolerated by his fellows ; he would be scouted by every one, and even the boys in the streets would point at him with the finger of disdain. We advise the people of Ngatiapa, or of any other tribe, if they are desirous of maintaining a good name, to discourage this degrading practice at once. Paratene Ngata.—We cannot give you any information about the mail from Raukokore to Waiapu. See Mr. Locke on the subject—the gentleman through whom you made your application. Hata, of Wharekahika.—Your letter has been received. We noticed, in January last, the death of Iharaira Houkamau. Paora Tokoahu, of Omatangi, Taupo, writes that his tribe (Ngatiterangiita) has resolved, at a meeting called to discuss the question, to abandon the practice of feeding visitors at funerals, excepting only the near relations of the deceased. They are tired of the practice, as it merely impoverishes them without assuaging their grief. They wish it to be understood that, if " crying parties " persist in coming, after this notice, they will believe what the pakehas say of them —namely, that they are " crying for food." Adverting to the death of Ruihi (published in the Walca last April), said to have been killed by a fall from her horse, Paora Tokoahu informs us that her relations, judging from the fact that her right eye was bruised, and that no other bruises could be found on her body, have come to the very sage conclusion that she was killed, not by a fall from her horse, but by a certain evil spirit called Te-Wehi-o-te-Rangi (i-e., the Terror of the Air), known to kill men by a single blow in the right eye! When will the Maoris abandon such stupid ideas? We have received a letter from G-isborne signed " MaoriPakeha." As a rule, we object to publishing anonymous letters; we require to know the real names of the writers. We do not agree with the sentiments contained in " Maori-Pakeha's" letter; hia conclusions are decidedly erroneous, and the publication of them could have no good effect. Hona te Ahtjkaramtt, of Rangitikei, regrets that the " laws " embraced by the old men, the fathers of the people, who have passed away, and by them left as a legacy to the present generation, are being so recklessly broken—namely, the law of love and charity, and the " law of religion." The Ngatiapas, he says, have become a wicked people ; they are trampling the laws under their feet. They live in a state of adultery ; they take the married wives of other men and live with them ; and polygamy is permitted among them. He asks U3 to publish these facts, in the hope that it may prove a check upon them and prevent the evil from spreading and Christianity from being neglected. He says that they do these things in imitation of the example of certain chiefs; but chiefs who respect the law do not so conduct themselves. We have remarked on this matter in another place. • Aperahama Tipae te Rangxwetea and Kawana Httnia xe Raro-o-te-Rang-i.—ln your letter about the survey of your land at Parororangi and elsewhere, you appeal to " the Government," and we have therefore handed your letter to the Under Secretary in the Native Department, H. T. Clarke, Esq. It is, moreover, a subject with which we have nothing to do, and which would not be interesting to our readers.

Erttera Whakaaht/.—We shall notice your letter about tlie death of Tamati Reina in a future issue if possible. Reupena Kewitini and Epiha Taxka, of Whanganui.—As. you have neglected to pay your subscriptions we have struck your names off our list. We shall endeavour to publish in another issue the letter from Alexandra about the temperance movement among the Maoris of Waikato. 5 Matini Matitt.—Your request shall be attended to. Letters received from Hemi and Ngawhi Henare.