KAIPARA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 5, 31 May 1856, Page 9

KAIPARA.

Considerable agitation has for some period past been existing in Kaipara, and has in a less degree extended its injurious influence to Hokianga and even to the East coast. In 3*ears gone by, before the British Government -had come to prevent fighting, and enable all the tribes to live at peace, the Ngapuhi and Ngaiiuhatua lived on ill terms with each other. After the arrival of this Governor the fighting ceased and the Ngaiiuhatua returned to inhabit the shores of the Oruawharo, Olamalea, and Kaipara, the Ngapuhi continuing to reside on the upper parts of the Wairoa. The boundaries of their lands were not defined, but as the chiefs of each party were nearly related in blood, they were from that lime, until recently on friendly terms with each other. At a meeting held at Mungauhare last December, Tirurau and Parore committed the very imprudent act of attending with ■■a large body of men armed with guns. This was very foolish conduct, and inlheendsome of the yoHng men discharged their guns with Wank charges. It appeared to the Ngatir--hatua who were at the meeting that one of the guns was aimed at Paikea, and some said that this gun was loaded with ball. But this was not so, nor, as all the Europeans present agreed, was itemed at Paikea. However, it seems that the Ngatiwhatua wanted to quarrel with Tirurau and Parore, in order to

advance their claims to the land, and used this firing as an excuse. Although they were wrong in doing this, yet it must be admitted that Tirurau and Parore were still more foolish in ordering their young men to attend a meeting armed. The Europeans were surprised because they respected these chiefs, and thought they were too wise and too much Acquainted with the laws to be guilty of an net which could do no good and might do much harm, and which in any case was an idle childish display. However, Parore has since in some measure restored his fair fame by writing to the Governor a letter expressing bis regret for his imprudence. It is thought that Paikea who is the principal chief of the Kaipara Ngatiwhatua would not have taken serious offence at this foolish affair if lie bad not been urged thereto, by two or three young chiefs, who were anxious -to cause a separation of all lies between Ngatiwhatua Ngapuhi, and ultimately supersede Paikea and Pautene in their chieftainship. The Ngatiwhatua, after this meeting, returned to their own settlements, and the young men, by constantly talking and thinking over their injuries, made themselves ex<*eduigly angry. They held committees, rowed about to boats and canoes filled with guns from one place to another, talked much, and wasted a vast deal of time, whicbshould have been devoted to squaring timber and discharging the debts which they owed to white men. Finally, they spent a long time m building a paatOtakanini, to defend themselves against Tirurau, who they said was coming down upon them with a large force; although all this time that uhief was hard at work with his people cutting and squaring spars for the use of the British Navy in our contest with Russia. He had too mnch wisdom to waste his time in foolish talk and empty displays. When the resident Magistrate & Mt. White of the native department, went amongst them, with the Governor's instructions to mediate between the tribes, and, if possible, arrange some terms which might ultimately lead to a settlement of the Kaipara difficulties, the propositions of Ngatiwhatua were after some alterations and much discussion, accepted by tnosegemlenien* and in Application to Parore and Tirurau these chiefs in a manly and straightforward manner, at once gave inlheir tothe terms. The principal article in this agreement is, that no debate, and no -proceedings of any sort respecting the dispu-

ted lands should take place at KaipTra, but, in order to avoid hostile collision, the whole question should be discussed at Auckland in the presence of the Land Commissioners. The tribes at Hokianga were then visaed r and these unanimously pledged themselves in no way to assist either side, if any quarrel took place, but to interpose their good offices in arranging any difficulties which might subsequently arise. Their speeches were most Toyal and full of intelligence, though complaining, and with some apparent justice that Ihey had not received as much encouragement and notice from the government as theMaories inhabiting the East coast. A letter then written, as well as a speedi by Abraham Taonui is published in this paper, and we commend both to the attention of our readers. The quarrel at Kaipara, being then in- a fair way for final and complete arrangement, and the hostile attitude of the tribes being in the meanwhile changed for forbearance and conciliation, it only remains for us to lamen 1 that so much valuable time should have been wasted, so much energy misplaced, and so many lie* of friendship and blood should have been broken, in consequence of one foolish act. If Tirurau had not brought the guns to the meeting, none of these disturbances would have happened. Surely that chief will be much grieved when he knows that his act has given an opportunity to the young chiefs of Ngatiwhalua almost to supersede Paikea his first coush>. However, let it be known that the government wilt continue to recognize Paikea and Paraiene as the chiefs, and will not allow the youug men to aspire beyond their proper position. * It is to be hoped that we shall never again see the country agitated by foolish jealousies, or greedy ambition, for let it be constantly remembered that the Government of this country will never be found giving its influence in support of any tribe that commences a quarrel by intimidation and curries it on by violence*

Fortunately the Kaipara difficulties have resolved themselves favourably, and if the Gontendinp parties are moderate in theirconduct and demands before the Land Commissioner the titles to the land in dispute will be settled, and the entire district ready for immediate transfer to the Crown. As the Maories are anxious to sell nearly the whole of this contested tract of country, together with other large blocks in the vicinity, violent or exorbitant demands before the Commissioner will be foolish and ruinous to them, as the result will be indefinitely to postpone the completion ofall purchases in that neighbourhood. Consequently no towns can be established and no white men will settle there, until all their matters are satisfactorily adjusted. Let the Maories therefore be warned and take caution in time. One unjust demand or one foolish act now, or at the meeting, nrght cause them to undergo years of poverty and regret.

Mangungu Hokianga, _ . March 24th, 1856. Friend the Governor, Salutation to you; long may yon live; and may God protect the Queen and yourself. May you be pleased to hearken kindly to these our words, which are but two or three. We have heard from Mr. John White the word you sent by him,—that all quarrels should cease; we your children consent, and say yes;—we do not say yes yes, no no; but we say yes and mean yes and amen. We still remember the letter which we sent to England by the Rev. W.Yates; the answer to which was this 4 King William became our Parent and sent Mr. Busby the British Resident, when laws were made for this land. Then again there was another letter sent to England to Kiug William containing our thoughts, which we have continued to cherish even to these the days of Victoria Queen of England. * These were our thoughts in the Treaty of •Waitangi, which Treaty was worded thus: tribes of New Zealand residing to the TvoWcTffiST^ in the tenth Moon of the Native year to make Laws, to protect commerce and prevent war, and protect our Laud, since we asked the King of England to become our Parent in this our childhood,*let our chieftainship be tost with the Sovereignty of our Land, which

fe held by ihe prfncipai chiefs of ihis Assemby. This Document was also sent to the King ef England, and in answer to which he sent Hie first Governor. # The Treaty of Waitangi was the giving, up of the Sovereignty of this Land. When some of the Ngapuhi people fought against the Government, they did not think of these documents, anoV the agreements which they contained. We, the' Chiefs of Hokianga remembering these things, rose up to put a stop to this evil, because by it Hie laws" were made of more effect, ancf for this many oi the tribes condemn us; but these tribes do not remember the laws, viz., the Treaty of Waitangi. We say again, our consent is not yes, yes, no, no; but we mean yes. And wer further say aur work shall be to prevent all evil for ever and ever. If you should hear of any qttarrerinr Hokianga, heed it not: be assured that we, the Chiefs, will unite to preserve order and peace. Let these words be printed in the "Maori Messenger/' and send us each a few copies, so that these, our words, may be always with us, lest by forgelfulness and stupidity the laws may again be broken, as in days gone by. * This is also another word from us. Will you have the old Land Claims in Ilokianga surveyed? so that Europeans may buy them when they ask for land from the Government, for we desire to have white people to live amongst us. This must be as you like. This is all from your loving friends. (Signed) Makoare Taonni Mohi Tawhai Aperamha Taonui Otene Pura Wiremu Waka Turau Tiopira Taoho Rana Te Waha Rihari Watene Raumati Te RiU Kaihau Hena e Taramoeroa Rawiri Mulu Wataranhi Muriwai Wiremu HopihanaTahua Wiremu Patene Pura Mohi Tarewarewi *Arama Raraka Pi Hoena Tahi Paru Paora Matangi llekopa Taitua

Wirerau Tana Nguru Pangari Hoierene Matangi Arama Toliu Rangaiira Moelara Hakaraia TePuhi /' Tete ,/ j * Taohu flj