PECCAVI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 714, 2 September 1869, Page 4

PECCAVI.

(Communicated to the Southern Cross.) No doubt each one of us ought to say so. What right have we to lay violent hands on the Maoris’ arms and ammunition at Ngaruawahia ? Look .calmly at the facts, and the conclusion is inevitable that the Maoris were the most innocent and ill-used men, and their arms acquired only for the most praiseworthy purposes. What are the facts? The whole of the Waikato belongs to King Tawhiao; at least he claims it, which, so far as the argument is concerned, is nearly the same thing. Well, he allows the white man to occupy those lands, to cultivate and stock them, to build liouses on them, and in every respect to use them as if they were their own. He does not even charge them any rent. 33ut he does more, he protects them. When Te Kooti, that murdering vagabond, wanted lately to slit the pakeha throats, who hindered him, and ordered him to leave the district ? Why, King Tawhiao, to be sure. What are the constabulary and the militia doing? No doubt they carry guns and other warlike instruments, but it was not their luck or fate to advance against Te Kooti; they were saved from harm by their guardian shepherd, the Maori King. It is even said that the Kesident Magistrate remained a considerable time at Alexandra, abd people were daily and hourly in the expectation that he would be receiving Te Kooti’s head in a Maori kit, accompanied by a letter from the King claiming the AIOOO regard. And it has been ascertained from the most reliable authority that fhis pious intention was defeated solely jrecause the ammunition that was to have blown Te Kooti’s party back to the East Coast was most

stupidly detained by us at Ngaruawahia. But not only have we sinned in this matter —we have done so with out excuse. Does anyone doubt tin l loyalty of Te Wbeoro ? That worthy man, with a strong force of braves. is stationed at Rangiriri, and what better guarantee would we desire of the honesty of any patty tban that they stood the test of his scrutiny ? Of course he saw through the whole thing: he knew the excellent use te which the arms and ammunition were to be put; and when he pronounced it, " all right," what business had we to interfere ? Te Wheoro's men receive five shillings per diem for the militia men's four, and why? Simply be cause they are braver, more intelligent, and more trustworthy, and therefore better fitted to guard the gates of the country and turn all improper characters back. To pass them is to deserve and receive a certificate of good character. How then did the puntmau so far forget himself as to seize men thus recommended ? And how came it that the R.M. thus violently flew in the face of Te Wheoro ? He is not usually so inconsiderate. But, these two gentlemen having brought us into the mess, it is only fair they should help us out of it. Let them secure the services of Mr . He has been

to the King before, he knows the road, and he can crawl. Let him drive be fore him the puntman, laden with the spoils. Should the expiation prove ' insufficient the plenipo could of course, fall back on the magistrate. * * * In this way justice will be satisfied, the timid reassured, and the protectorate of the powerful Tavvhiao re established. As everybody will admit that, my facts are true, my reasoning cogent, and my remedy effective, everybody will also admit that I assume my proper representative position, when I sign myself — Vox Pop.