RATIMA'S ADVICE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 8, 14 December 1906, Page 3

RATIMA'S ADVICE.

TO THE EDITOR. To the lord of this paper, greetings; and to whom it may concern, further greetings. This is to inform the whitemen of Mokauiti and adjacent settlers that as we have lived in peace and goodwill in the past, so let us continue in the future, and should dissensions threaten, let us, O friends, meet and speak openly of what is in our hearts. Enough of that. .Now the knowledge lies heavily in my bowels, that some of our white friends are not as affluent as I wish them to be; that adversity hath her eye upon them ; that their grass-lands are not yet as extensive as the appetite of their cattle desire ; that in the season of no growth they will covet the foods outside their fences, and jin the nipping of hunger smash the said fences, and distribute their bodies upon our lands, and wander as the best grasses shall tempt them. And the answer to this is : " e taea te aha translated: "Who can help it?" But, and now take note, should such catastrophies ensue, it is not in our hearts to cry: - " Ho, whiteman, speedily remove your beasts !" Or : " Pas'- for this trespass and depasturage!" For such would estrange our good fellowship ; and while wishing that all may keep within their own boundaries, yet the appetite of hungering beasts may not be legislated for. Therefore I say : " Watch your cattle." For it may happen that one settler shall ask of another : "Friend, have you seen my beasts ?. They have broken the fence and escaped ! " And the person so asked, may reply : " Even so ; I saw them last on Ratima's land, and I counted so many." Then the owner will reply: " The count is correct." A month later he will seek his cattle, and find them one short of the number, then the possibility lies apparent that he will say: '■ Ha ! Ratima hath slain one; it! may be for food or profityes, that is the answer: " Ratima has slain one !" And his bowels will ferment evil thoughts against me. Therefore, this is my advice: Either assure yourselves of their prosperity by frequent inspection ; or, should one or more be missing, charge not this discrepancy to our handiwork, but be patient in your calamity ; for who may predict that they are not bogged, or strayed from their company ? This I advise, so that the continuance of our companionship be well-beloved. From your friend Ratima, of Mokauiti.