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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 3, 31 March 1856, Page 1

Many of our Maori friends have, no doubt, heard of the bad conduct of some young men, principally of the Ngati te Ata tribe, who, in November last, robbed the house of an European Settler named Sutton, living at Te Hihi near Waiuku. Some of these young men are related to other tribes besides the Ngati te Ata and, for a time, hesitation was shewn about giving them up to the authorities to be punished by the law for their offence. We are happy to say that the wise counsels of those who advised their being given up have prevailed over the foolish counsels of those who wished to withhold them. On Wednesday, the 12th March, the Chief Te Katipa accompanied by several other Chiefs of the Ngati Tamaoho tribes, brought in the five young men to Auckland* The Chiefs requested an interview with His Excellency the Governor which was granted, and took place on Friday the 14th, when Te Katipa and his brother Chiefs stated that, at His Ex.cellency's request, they had brought in the

five delinquents and were willing that ibey should be tried for their offence by the English law. The Governor replied, expressing bis approbation of the course they had taken and bis satisfaction at the confidence they hadshown In him in the matter, assuring them that they would find it their wisdom always to confide in the justice and impartiality of the Queen's laws, and to assist him in maintaining them. His Excellency then requested the Chiefs themselves to lake the offenders down to the Court House, which they did, then giving them into the charge of the police. On Monday the 1 j th March, the case was brought before the Resident Magistrate. From the statements made before him it appears that one Monday towards the end of November, the five lads Epapara, Watene, Hone Motutere, Taniora and Nga Wakahad been out all day looking for a horse and being very hungry they went to Mr. Sutton's bouse and demanded food. An altercation took place and was ended by Epapara's seizing Mr. Sutton by the legs, throwing him down and with the assistance of the others tying his hands and feet. They then robbed the house, carrying off with them £l2 in money, and property worth £4O or £SO. In the struggle Mr. Sutton received a cut on the leg and several bruises on the face. The prisoners pleaded guilty to the charge laid against them, and were sentenced by the Resident Magistrate to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour, but a hope was held out that if they behaved well in prison, perhaps His Excellency might be induced to remit a portion of the sentence. We have thus briefly stated the circumstances of this case, in order that all our Maori friends may join wjth us in commend" ing the conduct of the Chiefs of the Ngati te Ataand Ngaii Tamaoho tribes in-coming for-

ward lo assist the Governor to carry out the just lawsof the Queen in this country. Had these young men not been given up lo the law, there would have been ill feeling between the English Settlers and the trihe lo which they belong, and we cannot tell what evil might have grown out of it. As it is, oil parlies are satisfied, and we are now better friends with our neighbours the Ngati te Aia and Ngali Tamaoho than we were before. The young men also when they have undergone their punishment will be free, neither ihey nor their tribe need fear any further consequences, the law having been satisfied the whole matter is at an end. Is not this much better than if ihey had been sheltered from justice for a time by their religions and their offence had been allowed to rest as a foul disgrace upon the whole tribe, causing their Pukeha neighbours lo regard them with distrust? Our Maori brethren are, we believe, growing wiser every day ; and we hope the time is not fur distant when ihey will cordially utiile with us their Pakeha brothers in causing the just and noble laws of England to be respected all over this island. Let not the Chiefs suppose that by adopting the just laws of the Queen they give up their freedom, or rights; let ih m not think that they or the tribe is lowered by honouring such good laws as protect all men alike whether high or low, fair or dark;—No, is it not our just laws which have marie us a great, powerful and prosperous nation ? And the same laws which have made England a groat nation will make New Zealand a_ great nation too. Let our Maori brothers be assured of this, that the tribe which makes just laws great makes itself great at the same time. Who would live in a country where there are no laws to protect the persons and property of the inhabitants ? Who could call such a country a great country? We are sure that all who will enquire into the laws of England, and the way they aro administered, will be satisfied Jhat they arc far far superior to the old Maori customs. Was not this island becoming depopulated under the old Maori system ? Let not the younger brother refuse

to learn of the elder who bas already taught him many things and is willing to teach him more. Let there be no jealousy between the Maori and English people of New Zeaof both 7is not her affection the same for both?" Let then her laws be respected by both. If the disobedient child be a Maori, let her law punish him?; if be be a Pakeha, Yet her law also punish him. So will the land be quiet; the evil disposed win be afraid to do ill, knowing that he wHF be punished, and the well disposed will feel safe under the protection of the law. We say again, the Ngati te Ala have done well. Let their example be followed by other tribes.