CORRESPONDENCE.

Wananga, Volume 2, Issue 14, 7 August 1875, Page 130

CORRESPONDENCE.

LETTER 1. To the Editor of the Wananga. As the Wananga will be read by every Iwi, and as the customs which in olden times regulated the tenure to land between themselves, are not known to many of your European and Maori readers. I purpose in this, and in future letters, to give some of the rules that obtained the power of law amongst the ancient Maoris. At the same time, I confess I am aware that the customs regulating the tenure to land, vary amongst some of the tribes. I shall not therefore be surprised if some of your Maori readers take exception to some of the statements made by me. In the first letter I will summarise the tribes, so that in speaking of their customs, I may be understood as to what tribe or locality I allude. And also may accept or refute any criticisms made by your correspondents. The tribes are as follows :—Rarawa, Ngapuhi, Ngatiwhatua, Tainui (including nil the Waikato tribes up to Waitara),Arawa, Apanui Wbakatohea, Ngatiporou, Ngatikahuunu, Ngatituwharetoa, Ngatiruanui (including all the Whanganui and Taranaki tribes, and to Wuitara). The space allotted to correspondents in your columns, precludes me from writing a long letter. I will therefore in this, give the heads of the subjects about which I intend to write. 1. The land taken by the migrators, who came over from Hawaiki in the first canoes. 2. "Why the land was considered of value. 3. The food obtained from the Jand. 4. How disputes arose from its occupation. 5. The names and the nature of the food. 6. The value of such localities. 7. The right to land within the boundaries of other Iwi. 8. How war arose from land disputes. 9. The taking of slaves. Their rights to land. I am, &c, John White. Napier, August 4, 1875.