PARLIAMENTARY SILHOUETTES.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 22, 3 June 1893, Page 515

PARLIAMENTARY SILHOUETTES.

(BY

'BIRD'S-EYE.)

BACK of the European Representatives, and just under the Ladies’ Gallery, sit three of the Native

Members, with their respected interpreter. Captain Mair. The fourth, by virtue of his position of Native Adviser, occupies a seat in close proximity to Ministers. To the critical eyes which, from the regions above, take stock of Members’ behaviour, that of the Native Representatives is well-nigh irreproachable. At all events, they could give points in this respect to a good many of their pakeha confreres. They never obstruct, they never barrack, they never bounce ; they never wax abusive when their, pet schemes * gang agley ;’ they never try to circumvent the Speaker, for the simple reason that they never have to be called to order ; nor do they appear to find it necessary at frequent intervals to adjourn to Bellamy’s, for the purpose of ‘ wetting their whistles !’ And yet they by no means act the part of dummies in the House. Of course their chief concern is with matters affecting the native race, but they also, evidently, take an intelligent interest in all the proceedings, and, as they understand English perfectly, they know all that goes on. They all speak English, conversationally, very well, but, as they probably think in their own language, they usually address the Speaker through an interpreter. In the case of T. Parata, however, this is wholly unnecessary, as he proved to the House one day when, during the temporary absence of Captain Mair, he himself became the medium through which Mr Taipua communicated his thoughts.

I have already, in a former paper, alluded to the Hon. Mr Carrol’s rich musical voice, a delightful possession by which his colleagues are also distinguished. Spite of the

fact that I don’t know a dozen words of Maori, I always find pleasure in listening to the melodious accents of the dusky representatives, and in watching their dignified, yet expressive gestures. Their style of oratory is simple and direct. All three are fluent in speech, Messrs Taipua and Parata particularly so, and in their calm, deliberate way they select with evident care the words and phrases which will best express their meaning. Mr Te Kapa, the junior, is a very modest man, sensible withal, and pleasant to listen to, and possessed of that innate nobility which can, without loss of dignity, own to a mistake, or error of judgment. This was exemplified during the course of the Woman’s Franchise debate, session before last. On a division being taken, Mr Te Kapa, having previously expressed disapproval of the proposal, voted against it; but next day he very ingenuously craved permission of the House to explain that he had changed his views on the matter. ‘ I thought it would not be a good thing for women to vote,’ said he, ‘ but when, this morning, I went out for my usual walk, I met a large number of ladies, and as I studied their intelligent-looking faces, I felt ashamed of my action, and I now wish to make what amends I can by saying so. • Bravo, Te Kapa,’ thought we in the gallery. ‘ How mary of your pakeha contemporaries would have had the courage to make such a speech ’’

The trio crack their own little jokes in their retired corner, too, but it is in a decorous way ; and their low guttural laughter is in striking contrast to the strident cachinnations which follow the interchange of choice moreeaux between European members. Between themselves the native members style the present House the ‘hairy’ one, in contradistinction to the last, which, owing to the predominance of bald pates, they denominated baldheaded. It is also the * married ’ assembly, bachelors being so few. For the following particulars relating to the parentage and past history of Messrs Parata, Taipua, and Kapa, I am indebted to the courtesy of Capt. Mair.

Mr Pratt (Tame Parata) was born on Ruapuke Island in 1837. His mother was a member of the Ngaitahu and Ngatimamoe tribes, also of the hapus of Ngatirangiamoa, Ngatibuirapa, and Ngatikaweriri. His father was Captain Pratt, of a whaler which frequented the Bluff. Mr Pratt is descended from the great chiefs Tuhawaiki, Tangata,

Naereroa, and Te Matehaere. He married Miss Elizabeth Brown, of Stewart’s Island, whose father, a trader, was afterwards drowned while crossing Foveaux Straits in a whaleboat. Mr Pratt has eleven children and seventeen grandchildren living. He was tor some years in the pilot service at Otago Heads under Pilot Driver. From this place he came to Waikouaiti in 1856, and has resided there ever since, having adopted agricultural pursuits. A large number of Mr Pratt’s people live at this flourishing settlement, and heartily follow the excellent example of thrift and industry which he affords them. He was the first to get sheep and threshing machines in the district. Mr Pratt is deeply sensible ot the importance of educating the rising generation, and ever since 1874 has taken a leading part in establishing Maori Schools. When Mr Taiaroa was called to the Upper House in 1884, Mr Pratt was elected to represent the Southern Maori district, and he continued to fill that onerous post ever since with much benefit to his people. Owing to his untiring efforts much has been done to remedy long standing grievances, settle the South Island natives and half-castes on their lands, and have them individualised etc., whilst a final settlement of the Middle Island native claims is now in a fair way ot being realised. Mr Pratt has consistently supported the party now in office, but always loyally upholds his Maori colleagues in all matters of benefit to the North Island natives.

Hoani Taipua Te Puna-i-rangiriri was born at Otaki in 1839. He is a Ngatitoa on his mother’s side, and closely related to the great chief Te Rauparaha ; and a Ngatiraukawa through his father. He was educated at the Rev. (now Bishop) Hadfield’s Church of England Native School at Otaki. During the war (1861-63) he assisted in carrying the overland mail from Wellington to Auckland, a somewhat difficult service to perform in the days when the route lay through hostile territory most of the way, and the safe arrival of Her Majesty’s mails at their destination oftener depended on the rank (in Maori eyes) of the carrier than in the divinity which doth hedge round the gracious lady upon whose empire the sun never sets. On the death of his near

kinsman, Puke Te Ao, M.H.R., in 1886, Mr Taipua was elected by a large majority (over 1,700) to represent the western Maori district. Twice since then he has been reelected, on both occasions polling double as many votes as his six or seven opponents combined, and I have no doubt, whatever, but that he will be again returned at the next

general election, so great is the confidence which the sixteen Or seventeen thousand natives in his electorate place in his integrity and ability. Simple and retiring in manner, animated by the single desire of benefiting bis race, there is not a more conscientious or upright man in Parliament. Though generally opposing the party now in power, he is always reasonable in his views, and ready to support any party which will deal fairly with the native race. He is not a brilliant speaker, but his speeches are always sound and practical, and he rarely addresses the House save on matters affecting the natives. Eparaima Mutu Kapa was born 1842 at Kaitaia, Mongonni. He lives at Parengarenga, and is a chief of the Aupouri tribe. His ancestor was Mirupokai, whose son was Paru, whose son was Tauaroa, whose son was Tutemahoe, whose son was Kuri, whose son was Kuraheke, whose son was Te Awa, whose sou was Te Ikanui, whose son was Tekaka, whose son was Patuone, whose son was Kapa, whose son was Mutu Kapa. His tribe, the Aupouri, who lived at the North Cape, were remarkable for their bravery. They were attacked by Te Parawhau and Ngapuhi, under the famous Hongi, and being but a small tribe were unable to hold all their country. Mr Kapa was educated at the Church of England Mission School at Kaitaia under the Rev. Mr Puckey, and was selected to represent the northern Maori district after the death of Hiriri Taiwhanga, and beat all the other five candidates. Since his advent to the House he has consistently supported the present Government.