NATIVE AFFAIRS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1287, 4 May 1878, Page 3

NATIVE AFFAIRS.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sir, —My attention was arrested last evening by a paragraph in your paper, copied from the “Napier Telegraph,” re the significance of an incident which occurred at the late meeting in February between Sir Geo. Grey, Hon. Mr Sheehan, and the Maori Kingitcs. At the time I read the report of proceedings, I stated my opinion to many that Rewi (when appearing with the seal of the late and first King Potatau, and saying, Potatau is gone, and this which I have is all that is left of him) movnt, “I recognise nothing connected with Matutaera but this (this seal) and this being in my possession and keeping gives everything into my hands and control.” I also took the trouble to communicate with a friend, who is perhaps as good a Maori scholar as there is living (I do not mean as a literal translator, but as to knowledge of the idioms and hidden or clothed language they employ), and he quite coincided with mo. Of course, these matters do not concern your Canterbury readers greaily, but most people take an interest in the affairs of the land they live in, and as we are to a certain extent communistic at present, what troubles the North ought to bo equally interesting to the South, and indeed the latter people have a right to bo put in possession of as reliable information as their neighbours, who have every facility for acquiring it themselves. In conclusion, I would like to say that your several correspondents, views, as published by you lately regarding Rewi and his position with reference to Tawhiao, are perfectly correct. Rewi has lost nothing more than a few men through the Waikato war, whilst Ngatihaua and Waikato (the real Kinghites) have been decimated and lost nearly the whole of their land. In my humble opinion the propitiation (if propitiation be required) of Rewi and the powerful Ngatimaniopoto should be considered, whilst Messrs Te Ngakau (king’s secretary) and Co. were allowed to bite their finger nails. Rewi is certainly master of the situation. I am, Ac., G. CAREW FITZGIBBON, Licensed Native Interpreter. Christchurch, 3rd May, 1878.