THE MEMBERS OF "THE JUBILEE."

Jubilee : Te Tiupiri, Volume I, Issue 1, 4 January 1898, Page 4

THE MEMBERS OF "THE JUBILEE."

We are those whose idea it was to further and publish the name of the great day of Queen Victoria by acting as messengers and reporters togiveusnews :-TopiaTuroa,H. teAoterangi, A.Tahunuiangi, Hiko Tahana, Parete Wareta, Mei Ripeka, Kingi te Nerekiekie, Porokoru Patapu, Hori Pukehika, Teone Potaka Ohipene, Te Aohau Nekitini, Paroto Whakaheirangi, Wi Pauro, Rotohiko Rerepari, Wiremu Makitonore, Kita Hamene, Toko Reihana, -Menehira te Koon, Wera Potaka, Hoani Papita, Tuka Matairangi, H. te Whatahoro, Hawira Rehe, Peehi Turoa and Teoni Kuini. We greet you, the tribes and families and chiefs dwelling in your courtyards in our two islands, as we are dwelling here, looking at the ideas and works of the great European nation, with its constant mana and chieftainship, and then upon ourselves, the Maori race of these islands, who are still in darkness, living through the want of energy in our dealings; for this reason we, the elderly men belonging to this place, set about establishing a newspaper to be named " Te Tiupiri," (" The Jubilee.") Now, we quite recognise the difficulty of such an undertaking as publishing a newspaper, as is instanced by all the efforts which have been made by the chiefs of knowledge and means of setting up presses to bring out a newspaper to explain to us and teach us, whether by Europeans or Maoris. Such presses however never lasted permanently so that newspapers would come regularly to our homes. The following papers have gone out of existence, namely, "The Maori Messenger," " The Hioi,' "The Wakamaori," " The 2nd Wakamaori," " The Korimako," "The Wananga," "The Kotohitanga," " The Huia tangata Kotahi" and " Te Paki 0 Matariki. "Te Paki 0 Matariki" failed because of not having gone forth into the world to enlighten. If we have omitted the name of any other newspaper which has ceased publication, what we have to say is this, that all those came to grief through our treasured apathy to support. There is one other reason for the failure of those newspapers, namely, those who used their brains to bring out those newspapers to instruct and to give "us knowledge were so half-hearted in their work. We are fully aware that there are two chief possessions of the European nation whereby it increases, on the earth and they are schools and newspapers; these two things teach great knowledge, the school opening the

door and the newspaper to keeping it open by supporting, warning, directing, teaching and refreshing the memories of those of the generation who were educated at school and those who did not go to school. Then again there is another trouble which we have, and that is that some of us go to school to acquire the knowledge of the European, others go to school to learn to read and write Maori, and others do not go to either of the schools above mentioned, but are merely existing with eyes blind and ears without hearing. On this account, those of us who are able to re.a<l English books and newspapers can read the news of tlifr world, but others of us cannot avail ourselves of the knowledge of the European. We have therefore made up our mind, having been for three years ignorant of the world's news, and our hearts yearn to hear who will deliver us. Whether it "will be those who have acquired the young shoots of knowledge of the Pakeha, or who on account of the length of time we have made our Queen s great day as a pretext for bringing the matter up. The paper will be printed in Whanganui town, and will be published weekly; for a year there will be 1500 copies issued weekly, and the subscription is 7/6 for six months, and 12/6 for twelve months. 52 numbers will be kept and bound as records for European Libraries, for Rangatiras and thoughtful men; the price of the book will be 10/6; the volumes will be bouud half-yearly. Advertisements for stores, property, lost and found, &c., will be paid for according to scale. The canvasser will explain the price when he visits you, or, if the advertiser seiids his advertisement the editor or the secretary will inform him of the price. The Jubilee will do this, advertise shops and everything else, which is to be paid for by scale, in both English and Maori. The news of the world, telegrams, extracts from newspapers and other English books will not appear in English in the paper. Letters sent by Europeans or Maoris which are not in Pakeha newspapers, will be inserted in both languages, as will reports of any Maori meeting. The Parliamentary news and the news of the Maori Parliament for the two islands, and news in connection with Maoris, Pakehas (men and women), the doings of the Europeau church or the Maori church, genealogy, legends of the Maori ancestors or of the Europeans, courts (Police and Native Land, anything that will be of interest therein; sales, leases mortgages, transfers,

wills; coaches, horse races, boat and canoe races, football, cricket, circuses, theatres, letters of science, advice, instruction, explanation. On Tuesday, 4th January, 1898, and thereafter our Jubilee newspaper will go to the homes of those whom we are able to address, and any who do not receive a copy must not feel hurt thereat, but if word be sent by letter or wire, giviug the name and address of the person desiring it the Jubilee will reach you without fail. There are 24 members of the Committee, seven to form a quorum, and the committee has selected H T. Whatohoro as editor and R. Riweti as secretary. Hori Pukehika and and Ru Reweti being treasurers. The Bankers are the Bank of New Zealand. All monies received by collectors appointed are to be paid to the Treasurers, and all payments for advertisements; in the event of the canvassers not seeing any one who may desire to send advertisements or subscribe to the paper, the intending subscriber should send any money by P.O. order to the Treasurer of the Jubilee newspaper, Whanganui. The first issue on the 4th January, and the second on the 11th January, will lie supplied gratis, but after these issues fees will be payable to the treasurer or to the canvassers, who will give receipts therefor. And now that you decided that our newspaper will appear in your homes, we pray that you will support and assist our venture so that it will not collapse the same as other newspapers have done. The paper will not refuse any article which may be sent, either by Maoris or Europeans, which may be of use, benefit or education to man, but any taunts, backbiting, accusations, defamation, will not be allowed to be printed in the paper. Some of us are members of the Maori Union, but we all support any means whereby the mau aud the land may benefit. We have heard that the Union is about to bring out a newspaper to be called "TePuke ki Hikurangi"; if it be brought out we shall be glad, we shall then have two newspapers, and we shall probably support the paper in everything which we see will be of advantage. We would remind our subscribers that it is not well to read out the news of the paper to all and sundry, as that is one evil which may befal our newspaper and which prevents others from subscribing, but let ue act as the Pakeha does, whether a rangatira or other-

wise, and let each man get a paper for him self for bis own enlightenment. All who subscribe to the paper with the canvasser will receive a receipt from him, and the names of subscribers and amounts paid will he published in the paper, and we Hsk all Europeans and Maoris if any canvasser be seen acting in an improper way to wire us at once, so that the Committee can deal quickly with the offence and appoint another man to take his place. From the Committee of The Jubilee Newspaper. [Owing to want of space, we are compelled to hold over till next week the translation of the foregoing article.]