THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, February 1, 1849.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume 1, Issue 3, 1 February 1849, Page 1

THE MAORI MESSENGER. Auckland, February 1, 1849.

Listen to us, Maories—ye especially who are wellers on the sea shores—Wo have a matter UNKNOWN to acquaint you of. UNKNOWN Queen has sent from England a large in ship, called the " Acheron," com- ' '"Ued by Captain Stokes. That ship, lough she is well armed and manned lur itr own p'otcction, is not exactly a man of

war. The object of her coming is to take a careful look at all the dangers and difficulties of the coASt of New Zealand, so that she may make them known to, in order that they maybe guarded against, not only by the ships of the English, but by those of the Maories also.

Tliis will, necessarily, occupy much time, and carry her into many Bays and Harbours. Fear not, we beg of you, lier approach. She comes entirely as a fiiend—and, as friends, we trust you will welcome lier, and supply her w'th such provisions and ns»i9tnncc> as alio :mav require, and for which she will pay. ' In the course of hrr voyagings she will have frequent occasion to land, both her boats and her men ; and she will also require to make marks upon various points of land. We warn you of this, lest yi'U should be deceived into a belief lh.it it is dr»ir> d to deprive you of those lands. Nothing of the kin'l. Those marks will he merely placed upon certain point", in order that Captain Stokes may bn able to show to sailors the ex,lit position of uvery rock and shoal, or any other hidden danger, in the Days and Chanmis which lie may explore. Do not, therefore, we heg, in any way obstiuct his boats, or do injury to marks which will be the means of tflectingso much good to yourselves and benefit to mankind.

But, to point out dangers to future navigators is not the only object of the " Acheron Shu has, likewise, been instructed to look into the diderent Imvenj along the toast, to discover their several advantages >ind disadvantages, and to make them known, ns well lo the Maori as the European,—so that, pro! ablv, trade may take place, and (hips arrive with money and merchandize, at p irts and harbours yet unknown. We know ynu ore too wise and too just not to aftbrd the " Acheron" every assistance in your power. We have been desired by the Governor-in-Chief lo acquaint yo'i of her reaceful purpose, lest, on suddenly seeing a large and powerful steam ship, you might mistake the o!<j<:(t of her coming amongst you. Even in the midst of the most furious wars, civilized nations never interfere with the pur suits of the surveying ships of each other. Their discoveiies are fur the good of the whole worl'l, and the ships are, in consequence, held sacred by all the world. We trust that you will show that you are not behind tl e rest of the world in respecting theobj ct of the '• Acheron,"which, although a ship of peace, can, if injury be attempted, put forth the strong right arm of a man of 1 war.^