MAORI CORRESPONDENCE.

Wellington Independent, Volume XIX, Issue 1952, 3 September 1863, Page 3

MAORI CORRESPONDENCE.

Thr following are the translations of the letterreferred to in the account of the Superintendent's visit to the Wairarapa natives, which will be found in the supplement : — No 1. — Matutaere's letter to Wi Tako, Heremia, and Hopi. Ngaruawahia, 25th Jnne, 1863. To Wi Tako, to Herejiia, to Ha.pi. Sirs (friends), — Salutations to you. That (this letter) is to caution you to be careful, to be thoughtful (knowing)— that word to you (this is the word to you). The people are collecting percussion caps for Taranaki, for Ngatiruauui, for Whanganui, and forNgatiraukawa. O, hearken! The (body) Pu of this Wheke (Waikato King Movement) will be burut with fire (will blaze in war.) Enough. Will arise )arise.) Affix the figure-head of the canoe, soon it will be paddled (soon it will start for j action.) To Wi Tako. Salutations to you. Enough. Kino Potatau, Hekene. No 2. — Letter from Ngairo Apuroa to Wi Tako and his Runanga. Grey Town, June 26, 1863. To Wi Tako Noatata and all youb Runangas. Friends. — Salutations to you friend, this is the word — the letter ofthe King has arrived at Herelaunga (Ahuriri), it has come to Te Wiremu, it has been sent to the Runangas here and will be sent to yon. The letter is to inform oi the King's visit to Kihikihi on the 14th of May, 1803. He said adhere to religion, love, and law — his second word was — that is word of love — be loving to the Natives and Europeans travelling in our districts — his third word was— hearken, O people, one law for the people and for the land (i.e. the same law). Attach the head and stern pieces (ofthe canoe) the sides, put in the thwarts of the canoe, affix the figurehead und the sternpost, and leave it (the canoe) floating; — the fourth word was — if the people split up the flax leaf I will hold the butt end, i.e., if the people sell their land that he (the King), would retain it. He commenced his song — (The song here quoted is a portion of a woman's lament for the death of hei husband.) Here ended his words for the perusal of all his Runangas. Friend — we have answered with our words from Tainui (formerly), i.e., from the setting up of Tainui to the present time with tbese words — the head-piece has been attached, the thwarts have been put in — it (the canoe) is left afloat, but we are awaiting the King's word (orders), we are awaiting the springing (assault) of the evil spirit — we are awaitiug tbe great scourge of the opponent. I turn (Kahuri); will you either approve or disapprove of these words ? — they are from Tainui; (i.e. from the setting up of Tainui) to the present time. I turn (Ka huri) Na Ngairo Apuroa. Friend, what is doing at the present time—nothihg is heard there — or any place on the earth. No. 3 — Wi Tako's letter to Ngairo and his Runanga . Waikanae, 10th August, 1863. To Ngairo and all his Runanga. Friends, — Salutations to you all who are living in the midst of the sufferings of this world aud of the evil tidings wbich come, that is the reports of murders. This is a word — Dr Featherston has been here to us spitting bis spittle &t us, but he turned to his own spittle and licked it up. — Friends, let the eye watch well, let tbe ears listen — do not permit the sword to ascend Paiatirangi and Rimutaka. That was my word to Dr Featherston ; he replied that he bad licked up bis own spittle at this time. Hearken ! on the 14th of August the soldiers will come tbere (to you) aud to Waikanae on that day. Watch carefully, If these sacred places are ascended that will be my lime, the 14th of August, throughout the whole Island. Enough. The Europeans have fallen 1000 — the payment was 25. Waikato have stationed themselves at the Town of Auckland — a letter informed me ; this is ail ths word. Let this letter travel quickly to all the Runangas. Brought from me Na to boa maboru. NaJWi Tako Ngatata.

No. 4. — Letter from the King's Runanga at Wairarapa to the Superintendent. Greytown, August 21, 1863. To I. E. Featherston, Esq. My Friend, Salutations. — This is the concluding word of our talk ofthe evening ofthe 20th. This is it, we have truly consented to your pro position that Militia should be brought here. It is good, you said that you was determined to call out the Militia for this place. You meant what you said ; the concluding answer of the Runanga to your determination was Yes, Yes. This is the word of the Runanga in addition to yours, that on the 24th of tbis montb, August, tbey will carry their guns and wiil continue to carry tbem in their hands. We bave told you that the Militia should go to Wellington to be drilled and leave Wairarapa as a sacred place. This bas been set aside by our conversation (arrangements). I have ceased my talk, but I still object (to your decision) my father (Dr Featherston). As for you, go on with your deceitful work (go on with your determination to enrol Militia, &c, at Wairarapa); paddle away in smooth water) till you arrive at the anchoring place (atKai-kai-matau). (Go on witb all tbese decisions of yours till you get tbe Militia raised in Wairarapa, i Fromthe King's Runanga.