TARAWERA.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 9, 30 September 1857, Page 8

TARAWERA.

To the Editor of the Maori Messenger. Friend, — We desire to send you an account of the making of peace between the parties lately at war about the land at Rotomahana and at Te Ariki. On the 21st of March, i 857, we assembled from all parts of Tarawera at Moura, because

that place had been appointed by the Ven. Archdeacon Brown, and the Rev. S. Spencer, the ministers of these people. We assembled there to partake of the Holy Communion; at the conclusion of which the Tuhourangi were detained by Ngatirangitihi to a meeting. Hakaraia, one of their teachers, stood up and said :—"The reason you are detained is this, —we are closely united by relationship ; it is, however, the name only of being united that I can speak to, but it will be for you all to express more fully how we are to consider ourselves united. This is all I have to say." Then arose Ihaia, a teacher of the Tuhourangi, and said:—"lt is good that we should be united, and let us converse together about our future proceedings. Let the folly which has just been brought to an end suffice us." He then recited the following song— Oh daylight, now dawning on Tawake's summit, How great is the love which still burns in my bosom, For my husband, my childhood's betrothed. Ah, how much did L long to search for some island, That the prow of the Rewarewa, the Canoe of Patutahi, Might convey me afar. Veil then thine eyes when thou'rt passing Rawkawa, Hide thyself, lest thou be seen by Ngawhatu; Once thou .art past thou may'sl safely look round. Here then I rest, in the bay of Kararaupe, Through the exertions of Kupe in dividing the land. Ah, where is the husband, beloved of ray youth, By the anger of friends torn away. At the dear recollection, softly swells my fond heart. Then arose Pirika, and said: —"The object of our meeting now is not from man; it is connected with Divine matters; however, let our union be firmly cemented." Wiremu arose and said, " Yes, my friends, for I also look part in this evil that has just been concluded, but now the heart is changed, and looks to the soft sunshine of Maruahina, that is, to those things which belong to God." Kanapu then arose, and said: " Hearken, 0 Ngatirangitihi, to the words now spoken, for the consideration of the heart which approves dissension, for while we were engaged in quarrelling we were not right, but now I am quite willing that this rule should be confirmed and remain for ever."

Kepa le Urahi then arose and said " Listen, it is right that we should forsake those things which were done ignorantly. Like Mount Edgecumbe which moved in the night, but, when the day dawned, stood still, and did not proceed. Likewise those things which were done in the night, that is, during our ignorance, let them cease at once, do not continue to practise them. As the light is now shining, let us do those works which are good; and also let us put our hands to the paper, in which we cail upon God to confirm what is now done by us." To this, all the people consented. There were however, a great many persons who spoke, but all approved this proposition. The conditions that were fully agreed to by all parties were these. Should the Tuhourangi commit any unjustifiable act of aggression upon the Ngatirangitihi, both must unite in suppressing them, if the Ngatirangitihi become aggressors upon Tuhourangi, both must unite in quelling them, because both have combined for the suppression of any evil that may arise in future. This is the first meeting that look place for the purpose of uniting parties. The second was Ngalipikiao's, they assembled at the Wairoa ; these were also enemies of the Tuhourangi. The meeting at Moura was but just concluded, when Hohaia, of Whanganui, came to invite the Ngatipikiao to visit his people. "We thought if they are to come this way. there will be fear, for they are still in grief on account of those who were slain in the fight. Te Wiremu therefore accompanied the men of Whanganui, to show that the Tuhourangi bore no enmity towards their late opponents. When he arrived at Rotoiti, he found the Ngatipikiao wore annoyed on account of the road having been traversed which was made sacred for their dead. j When Te Puehu, the principal chief of Ngatipikiao, heard of it, he was vexed that there should be any ill feeling on this account, and said "Peace has been established some time, and now, do not avoid the usual road.'' Those of the Pikiao who were wise concurred, and also Hakaraia Mahika. He it was, who strongly urged the going direct by way of Tuhourangi. The Ngatipikiao proposed that they should go across the country to Kaingaroa and on to Taupo. At last they consented lo come this way, and came

to Te Wairoa; giving expression to their feelings as they went, by tears and speeches. At night, a consultation was held by both parties; important matters were discussed and plans for securing the continuance of the peace were arranged. In the morning, the paper was produced which was to confirm what had been said, and to contain the names of those who assented. While the paper was being written the Ngatipikiao all decamped, as though they had been running from an enemy, and by the time it was finished, they had reached Rotokakahi, still running. The persons who signed their names, including both Ist and 2nd meeting were 101. Therefore, friend, we make you acquainted with the circumstances of this separation, caused by a quarrel between relations. The evil is, that It divides men ; both parties are half ashamed, and this keeps them apart; they cannot soon unite again. The cause of their being ashamed is this; they had supposed that in carrying on this fighting between relations it would be as in old times, but it did not answer, for only under the system of our ancestors could this be practised with any satisfaction ; now, it is condemned by the Word of God. There is nothing hidden but a knowledge of it may be attained. Therefore we say, this must be wrong. It is sending men's spirits to perdition, and causes pain to widows, relatives, children, and orphans. Wherefore, friend, let those who are earnest in good works persevere in suppressing these great evils among the people ; it is but a remnant for whom the effort is to be made, and man does not seek to do good for himself alone, but for all the people, and it is for them to say, yes, it is well; even as the gold ring which although it is placed on one finger only, yet the whole body consents, yes, it is well. Each tribe is one body, we also being one. The cause of evi! growing up among us is land, but the land itself is well enough, and may be occupied or cultivated; the evil is with the men; it commenced with our ancestors, and still gets worse. The boundaries were never properly defined ; another thing is greed; the consequences are perplexity to their descendants. Let the present quarrels be forsaken, and also the works of darkness ; let all offences be left to those whose duty it is to attend to matters pertaining to this life, let them arrange these matters; in this way all will go well. Also it is not right for man to insist upon doing what God does not approve

Were these precepts adopted, the people would be saved. This is all we have lo say: under this are written the names of the men who confirmed these words. Parakaia Kihirini Te Wiremu Perenara Hori Paora Ihaia Kerei Heremaia Tamati Waka Hamiora Rotohiko Wikiriwhi Tirihea Pirihi Tamati Paora Hohua Paora Wiremu Wiremu Tamihaua Tuaahu Te Kepa Haukope Tararoa Waituhi Te Kokeka Nga Hana Te Kotuku Rangihiroa Te Ngaru Rawe Muriwai Titara Kirirarauhe Rangimatini Tauranga Nohotaumata Rahi Taiki Waiho Nga Oko Ipututu Te Uruhi