PETITION OF W. THOMPSON TARAPIPI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 6, Issue 297, 14 August 1865, Page 3

PETITION OF W. THOMPSON TARAPIPI.

To Fitzgerald ; To the Parliament at Wellington,— Salutations. Harken, I will tell you the causes of the trouble which has confused this Island. I write to you all because I bare heard people say that your are the men who have been selected to see (to inquire into) the wrongs of the Maoris and the Pakehas. Salutations to you all in the love which always exists in our bodies. Friends, is it true that there exists a Proclamation of the Governor which says that his fighting at Waikato is at an end ? If it is true that such a Proclamation exists, it is very good; but first

et all other things be finally arranged, viz., let the boundary be taken back to To la. This is the condition approved by me for putting an end to this war- If peace is made upon these terms of the Governor which have now been proclaimed, I shall not be thoroughly satisfied, because the root or cause of this war was the land. Now, do you carefully consider these causes, and if they are not clear to you do you inquire of me. “Oh ! WiTamihana, what is the reason the word of the Maories is stiU the same, and that what they say now does not differ in the least from what they said at the beginining ?”

I will tell you—The reason that the saying of the Native people is the same as at the first is, because we have done no wrong on account of which we should suffer, and our lands also bo taken from us. The only cause that wo know is that our parent has beer, provoking us—that is the cause of the trouble which has befallen us. Let us see. Question mo again. “ Now, O friend, what is that thing to which you refer when you say that this evil which has befallen you has risen out of repeated provocation ?” I will fell vou these causes.

1. The placing of soldiers’ redoubts on the banks of Waikato. We told you at that time to take back the soldiers to Auckland, We were in great fear. Then the people belonging to the Government said, “Do not be afraid of them ; let them make the read for our mutual benefit, for that will improve our condition. The formation of a road will enable us to convey goods and provisions to distant places.” This therefore was the reason that our opposition to that work was so weak, but we were still suspicious. 2. The location of a. magistrate in the midst of our settlements to create confusion. I spoke about that, and said “ Let that man remain without doing anything in the midst of our boundaries ; let him not remain and do any work.” 3. Tl te bringing of his house to the Kohekohe. We did not in any way sanction the bringing of the things into the midst of our settlements to cause confusion. We always opposed those works. 4. The ejection of Mold Te Alii a Eo Ngu and TaniatiNgaporafrum thoir own pieces (of land). There was no occasion for that.

5. The capture of Iliaka Tukaanini and all his tribe.On account of this we considered that good would not come to Waikato, but evil only, which is death.

6. The crossing of the soldiers to this side of Mangatawhiri; that was the place of which we said formerly the Pakehas must not cross to this side of that river. After that crime the Proelation of the Governor on the 9th of July, 1863 ; the heart was satisfied with that newspaper, and supposed it was correct. Two days after that Proclamation (was issued) the soldiers crossed to this side of that river which the Governor had pointed out. They crossed and immediately built a redoubt. Enough. We bid farewell to the world of light at this period. Then Waikato rushed impetuously ou to death. The cause was regarding (looking at) his word, which he spoke in presence on his arrival at Taupiri. My spokesman said to him there, “ 0 Governor, my king will not be got rid of by that confusing thing, money or by anything else but by war alone will Ibe subdued by you.” Then the Governor replied, “ Friend you will not be punished by me by tile sword, but rather will I subdue you with good works.” This was the principal expression which the Runanga took hold of and (remember) to this day. Enough of that. I will now tell you of the things relating to the king. When I set up that king I did not intend that his authority should be thrust upon the Europeans. No, only upon the Maoris and upon the lands which remain to us. Now at that time we wore urgent to elect our king, and even unto this day wo still hold on (to the king). It will never bo given up even unto the end. It will by no means bo put an end to, whether good or whether evil (comes out of it.)

I have heard that the Parliament possess great power. By that Council the things which are difficult may be overcome. It is for them to fix this tiling and that thing, Now, do you hearken ; My word went forth to the Governor saying, t; Sir, consent to my king.” Grey did not consent to my word. I now say the same thing to you all: “ Consent to my king,” now, so that good may the sooner come to our land, also to the two races. But do you agree to the plan by which his authority may extend to the Queen’s boundaries. 0 Father, what I now say is clear, seeing that for a period of twenty years we had no desire to fight with the Pakehas—vis., the tribes of Hauraki, Waikato, Tauranga, Maketu, Whakatane, Opotiki, Waiapu, Turanga, Te Wairoa, at Napier, Wairarapa, Wanganui, Atara, Kapiti, Ruatahuna, Taupo. Kawhia, Taranaki—notwithstanding during that period we did not wage war with you at that time, when we were in the majority and when you were few ? It was not till you became numerous that then we had a desire to fight with you. In your opinion, can the labors of one man be compared with that done by many? In my opinion it cannot be compared, because the proverb says “ Well done, spade of a hundred blades.” This pi’overb applies to the number of the people using the spado. You perhaps forgot the word from above which the Queen spoke, that the fighting cease between persons of the Native race. If you had conformed to that there would have no contention between the Pakehas and Maoris. When this work increased, then that word was remembered. You sent Wheoro to bring proposals of peace to us. When he arrived, I assented immediately to what he said. The reason why I so readily assented to what he said was because at that time my hand had not become nerved for the fight. I was still urgent that peace should be continued amongst us. When it came to the (time of the) murder at Rangiaohia, then I knew, for the first time, that tin's was a great war for New Zealand. Look also: Maoris have been burnt alive in their sleeping houses. Because of this, I did not listen to the words of the Pakehas disapproving of the evil of the Maoris’ mode of warfare., which partook of the nature of murder. When the women were kilhd at the pa at Rangiriri, then, for the first time, the General advised that the women should be sent to live at the places where there was no fighting. Then the pa at Paterangi was set aside as a place for fighting, and Rangiaohia was left for the women and chil-

dron. The children and women fell there. Before this time our desire was great to put away th - customs of our forefathers—ambuscades and skirmishing, and other inodes of warfare hj which; the enemy could be destroyed. Do not say ihst the words of advice are thrown away upon us. No! the words of advice are regarded by us ; it was the affair at Eangiaohia that hardened the hearts of the people. The reason was the many instances of murder. Now, let me count them. First, the commencement of this war was Eangiriri, a murder ; Eangiaohia, a murder. The subjugation of Horotiu a murder, —a murder of men, a murder of land. AJ y reason for calling the subjugation of Horotiu a murder is, that the General said he would not carry the war into my territory. Alter this he brought his men to occupy my country—to fight also witli my tribe. Eut 1 was not willing to fight with him; 1 and my tribe, and also the king, departed, and left our land to be cut up without cause by him. I believed in bis peaceable word. My loving friends of former times say this war is being carried on on account of my double heart; on the contrary, for my quietly carrying on tho customs of tho world of light from the commencement even up to the present time of this evil of intense darkness. What matters the evil of a man to any one, for God is above all, restraining tiie evil heart of man, because evil will not be allowed to have the dominion over us all who are living in the world. Eat her let goodness and knowledge have dominion over mankind whether women, children, cr men. All these will be covered by knowledge. Now this is a word to you : Do you be energetic in carrying out tho proposals expressed in this letter, that wo may be freed from the causes of confusion which are occurring around us. If these evils are removed by you, then a law will ba established for both races, and life will come to this Island—to the Maoris alike and to the Pakehas; and thus shall be fulfilled the word of Paul, “ Be kindly afiVctioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. Sufficient, O Friends. May tho Lord strengthen you by the authority of His power. From William Taeapifipi. Matamata, sth April, 1865.