THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume III, Issue 2, 28 February 1857, Page 10

THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE.

The following account has been furnished by Mr. Piri Kawau, formerly Maori iaterpreter to Sir George Grey, late Governor of New Zealand, whom he accompanied to England in 1804 and thence to the Cape of Good Hope, where Sir George Grey is now Governor. Our Maori readers wrl 1 no doubt read with pleasure this production of theiicountryman. They will feel gratified with ibo proof which it gives them.that they have no: been forgotten by their late Governor and friend. They will also read with pleasurd the narrative of his proceedings in the distant land whither he has been sent by our gracious Sovereign, to govern and instruct a people more deeply sunk in ignorance and barbarism than they themselves were, when first visited by Europeans. They will feel flattered by the manner in which they have oeen spoken of and he!d forth as an.example worthy, the imitation of the aborigines at the Cape, would only add to our correspondent's vijc; oils exhortation to his people, an earnest

admonition lo the chiefs, the leading men, and all the men of New Zealand, to endeavour to deserve the encomiums bestowed upon I hern by our late Governor, and to take care that the hopes which have been raised with respect to their advance in the path of civilisation be realised. The path is fairly open 10 them. They have already made some advance. They have, moreover, many powerful friends anxious for their improvement and willing to give them the assistance and direction which they require. The event must depend upon themselves. If they are strong lo will, and patient to work, they must succeed.; but if they are only half hearted and careless they will fall to attain the benefits and advantages of civilisation which their connection with a great and highly civilized people has placed within their reach.

0 ye Tribes, O ye people, Give ear, Hearken. Before Sir George Grey wus appointed Governor of this land, he heard oftheMaori people, and thought within himself, * How shall i become acquainted with this people, the Maories of New Zealand ?' In a short lime, he received the Queen's instructions to corns hither as Governor of this place and of the Maories. On his arrival, he found the Maories at strife with the Europeans, and a desire arose within him to try the capabilities of the Maories. He found them a tractable people, apt to learn when taught, and ready to adopt those habits of civilisation which cause a people to become prosperous and happy. He perceived them lo be quick in acquiring a knowledge of pakeha customs, an J he also saw that they are an avaricious people. Well, he qu=etfy submitted to live among the Maories, like "an innocent sheep among raging wolves, that is, among us, cannibals—filthy as pigs- a very brood of wickedness, He drew us forth "out of our evil state of ignorance and wickedness, and taught us lo live orderly, to be kind and peaceable, to produce food, to be industrious, to grow wheat and other good things as the Europeans do. Now, there are two ministers; one, a minister of the things pertaining to this life; one, a minister of things pertaining to the life to come. These are the Governor and the Bishop of New Zealand. We have assented lo those Divine things which are taught us by the Bishop; and we have assented to those earthly things taught us bv the Governor.

But, while these two were absent in their ' native land, the Maori chiefs broke their promises made to the Governor, which he -supposed they would keep, but which were made by the lips only. The Governor meanwhile had told the Queen, the great men and the people of England, that great progress had been made by the Maories in civilisation and religion. Great was Uia pleasure which this good report of the New i Zealanders caused; it has not, however, been borne out. Before long, this people are at strife among themselves. Now the pakehas say, 4 What! have these people, who •were said to have so quickly become civilized and to have forsaken their ancient customs, have they returned agaiu to their old evil practices?' Now do not say, «We are not to blame for quarreling among ourselves':—This will not do. Whether it is amongst yourselves or with the Europ ians, the evil is the j same.

The English p3ople were much interested in the favorable report of the rapid advance made by the Maori people in civilisa- ! ation, and of their having so quickly for- i saken those detestable practices, so lately given mp, and now being revived. To what purpose do we renew Jjiese fateful things before the *yes of the rising generation. O, my people, cease your strife with each other; let your strife be with the land, to force it to yield you Toed. It is by living in a quiet, orderly manner, by practising kindness one to another, and cultivating peace, that you will attain to prosperity. I have now something else to talk to you about, if you will listen to me. «I accompanied Sir George Grey on his return to England, and, on our arrival, he spoke of his people, that is, the Maori people, whom he praised. It was not long before he was appointed by the Queen Governor of the Cape of Good Hope. We sailed for that land and arrived. Immediately on our arrival, the principal men of the place came to wait upon the Governor. They enquired about New Zealaud and the Maori people. The Governor replied, speaking highly of his people, the Maories, and enquired about the Kafirs, the aborigines of that land, as to their energy and ability. The Europeans answered, ' They are a very tine people :nd also brave,' to which Sir George Grey eplied, 'So are my people; they also are a rave people.' These enquiries ended, we >ok up our residence in Cape Town, where e remained three weeks; at the end of

•which time, the Governor wishing to see the Colonists and the Kifirs. we started on our journey. Our route was overland, on horseback, in carts and in waggons, and lay through a thickly populated country, and many settlements. There are very many settlers, and we were much interested in observing the inhabitants of the country through which we passed. Some were fair, others dark. At last we reached a large settlement called ■* Algoa Bay/ As soon as the inhabitants heard of th2 approach of the Governor they came out to meet and welcome him, while some of thorn assembled at a house in the town to meet him there. His Excellency was greeted with hearty cheers by those iwbo came ontto meet him, and ibis party accompanied him to the town. Here we passed two nights and then proceeded to Town. This town is inland, on the Frontier, where the fighting was. We passed two nights on our way there. On news reaching the town that the Governor was approaching, the rroops were called out to receive him. The civilians came out on horseback to meet His Excellency. On meeting, they cheered heartily and turning back, accompanied him inlo'lhc town. As we drew near, we found the road lined with soldiers drawn up to receive the Governor. After slaying here some lime, the Officer commanding the troops came to wait upon the Governor. His Excellency said to him, 4 1 hare a NewZealander with me, a Maori.' He replied, 'I should like to see him.' The Governor told me that the Commanding Officer wished to see rne, and 1 went to him. After exchanging salutations, he enquired, "What is your opinion of this country; how do you like it?" I answered, "It is good in some respects and bad in others, but I love my own land best." Tbe name of this officer is General Jackson. He then asked me, "Should you like to see the Kafirs." I replied, "I should like to see

them." He said " Well, we will go and see them." Our Interview ended, I left the room. Two days afterwards we started, our parly consi ;ting of 10 officers, SO horse soldiers and 50 foot; 400 altogether. There were 30 carls and waggons. We reached a fort and encamped there for the night. At daybreak we continue 1 our journey until we arrived at the town of Beaufort. The people here assembled to welcome the Governor. There are a great many soldiers ai this place, and many nativesalso. These people arc called Fingoes. This is the boundary of the land where the fighting was. These Fingoes united with the troops against the Kafirs. The Rev. Mr. Ayliffe, a Wesleyan Missionary, hearing of me, requested the Governor to permit me. to go to his chapel lo see the people and their chiefs. On Sunday we went to the settlement; we found all the people assembled in the chapel waiting for the two Governors, that is, for Sir George Grey and General Jackson. On entering, all the people siood lo receive them. This settlement is about two miles out of Beaufort town. The service was over when we arrived. After wailing a short lime school commenced and we waited until its conclusion. The Governor then spoke to the people, who listened attentively to him. (To be continued.)