CORRESPONDENCE.

Wananga, Volume 5, Issue 31, 3 August 1878, Page 390

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the Wananga. We would like you to publish the address of all the tribes at Kaikohe to Sir George Grey and the Native Minister in English and Maori, so that the European and Maori public may see it. This address was read to the Native Minister at Rawene (Heard's Point) in Hokianga, on the 16th of June, 1878. Kesetana Kohumartj. Hirini Taiwhasga. Kaikohe, Bay of Islands, 11th July, IS7S.

Kaikohe, Bay of Islands, 18th March, 187 S. To Sir G. Grey, K.C.B, D.C.L., and Sir* John Sheehan, Native Minister, &c. O, aged and learned men, we, the old and young chiefs and tribes of Ngapuhi and of Te Rarawa, welcome you in joy and extreme delight, you who have been the saviours of this people, of the two tribes of our loving and protecting Queen who reside in New Zealand, that is European and Maori ; you who have guided and supported them in the midst of all'the troubles which have been 6o heavy on them ; you who have led them in the midst of the wrong guidance of the many obstructing Governments in times past. We also thank those members who supported you in this, your good work ; we thank Karaitinna Tnkamoana, Hoaui Nahe, Taiaroa, and Hori Tawiti. We thank you in that you' were so brave, strong, and without fear to continue your contention in a fair and just spirit in •; -j session of Parliament which is last past, by which, througV vou, the late Government wera overthrown in disgrace, whici. Government we call conservative, exclusive, and injurious ; and by which the words of Sir G. Grey were proved to bi j rrue. viz. : " Truth '.s mighty, and Eight will prevail." And we are all well aware of the many good and public matters by which the community have been benefited by vou two in the short time in which you have held the rein •; of Government, in so much as you have been two or three times to visit all the Maoris and Europeans at their different settlements and towns, and more especially as you have obtained a power over the so-called Maori King and his people at your meeting at Hikurangi. Hence we think and believe that we also shall be saved by ycu from the many vexatious matters which now annoy us. We wish first to ask for a boardingschool for our (Maori) children. Secondly, we wish you to look into all matters connected with our lands which were dealt with by the laws of the years 1873 and 1874, in respect to the bungling which was enacted by these laws of 1573 and 1874 of the old Government, which Government was conservative, exclusive, and injurious, and which is not now in power, which Government cannot by any possible means again obtain the leadership of the people. And we are glarl that you have come here in person, that we may speak face to face.