THE UNSOPHISTICATED SAVAGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1559, 16 May 1887, Page 3

THE UNSOPHISTICATED SAVAGE

A droll correspondence ia,(Baya& "Wellington paper) included among tbo dospatohes laid on the table of the : House the other day. First, there iB the following very innocent letter from five chiefs of the Arawa tribe : — To her Majeaty the Quoou of England, —May it pleoae yonr Maj'Jßty,— We, your humble suhj 'eta, aboriginal natives cf New Z9aland, desire to presont our graotlogs to you, tho preserver of both the people and the land of New Z wlacd, upon the great mercy of our Father m tho Highest. Thiß is a prayer from us, your New Zaaland Maori subjects, that you may grant us n bell for our church about 24ffc round and 7ft high— a bell for the use of all Maori Ohm ch-of-Enpjland ro3ldents m all the diatriota of Te Arawa This ia to show your love as well ks the love of your son tho Prinoo of Wales to the Arawa people, who are always loyal and true to your Majesty. We hope your Majesty may gait our request May God preserve and keep your M> joe ty. To this native reqnea*. Lord Granviile replied, asking his fxuelloncy the Governor to Cl obtain fur him a ropoit upon the eubject, showing particu'arly what sized bell would Le suitable." Olher I denpatohea pssßod between bio Excellency i and tho Secretary of Stito on this mimentous question, the upahot being that the latter finally replied ai follows : — I request that you will now causa them ti bo informed that I have not been abe to recommend Her Majesty .to accede to the prayer of thtir petition, m consequence of the precedent which it would create, adding that it is impossible for the Queoa to give pre3ents to her numerous eubj ctß iri all partß whom she would be willing to gratify, and <hat it is therefore not right to plaoe Her M j isty m tho position of having torefuee applications of thJa ntuuro. Now, wo Bhou'd like veiy much to know what wicked jester "put up " thoee poor deluded Arawaß to thi3 comical proceeding.