To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Herald.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume IV, Issue 10, 15 October 1857, Page 11

To the Editor of the Hawke's Bay Herald.

We have heard that an article has appeared in your paper, relative to the war in which we are engaged against Te Hapuku, and its probable effects upon the Pakeha. You say that from our quarrel may arise danger to yourselves, and insecurity to your properly, you allude lo the conduct of Te Moana Nui towards the Pakehas, as if we were al! answerable for the actions of one man; and you desire that soldiers should be sent here for your protection. Well! these are your ideas, but ours are different. Hear us. You have nothing to fear from us. Do you suppose that we are so fond of fighting that Ave are anxious to have two enemies, the Pakcha as well ns te Hapuku? No, our own quarrel is sufficient. Let the Pakeha remain in peace amongst us. We would not act treacherously towards the people who have brought good to our country. The Pakeha found us in a state of ignorance and depravity ; he assisted us to emerge from that stale, and to him we owe whatever improvement there may be in our condition. Our old men during their lifetime, used to advise us as follows ;—" Should the Pakeha wish to purchase land here.

encourage him, no matter how small the amount he may offer, take it without hesitation. It is the Pakeha we want here. The Pakeha himself will be ample payment for our land, because we can only expect to become prosperous through him." Now these old men are dead, yet they live in our memory ; and we cherish the white settlers of this conntry, as a memento bequeathed to them ; they have become as a part of ourselves ; they have been looked upon by our fathers, and we love them in consequence. Should we turn against the Pakeha, who has been as a father to us, whence are to come instruction and beneGt to ourselves? Moreover were we to commence hostilities against you, who can say that we should be successful, for you have plenty ofmen, guns, and ammunition. No, our desire is that we should all live together on the spot which we have chosen as a common house, that we should follow together these pursuits that will tend to advance and improve our condition; such as the erection of flour-mills, the production of sheep, and so forth,—were we to turn upon the Pakeha, we should be shutting up the road by which we receive all these advantages. There is one other point which we wish to notice—your condemnation of Te Moana Nui. It is correct—but Te Moana Nui is simply Te Moana Nui; we are ourselves. If he misconduct himself towards you, let the consequences fall upon himself; if we misconduct ourselves towards you, we alone must be responsible for our bad conduct. j The chief who conducts himself properly will be supported by us; but if he depart from what is right, we will not adhere to him. Do you not know that the cause of the misconduct of Te Moana Nui was rum—you yourselves supplied him with the noxious drink--you have made laws to meet offences committed, as well by us, as by yourselves, bnould Te Moana Nui or any other man persist in acts 0 f aggression towards you, Jet the law examine and decide—should any one of you be guiliy of an aggression upon us—let the law also examine and decide. For instance wl?en Mohi Kokiri was struck fey a white man at Waipureku and killed, it was said that rum was the cause and we suffered jt to be ascribed to rum. In conclusion, we say be not alarmed. If any one of you, or of us, transgress the law, let us all join in haying l?in> judged according 19 law.. Wss9 npl wis]* yo?4 to suppose that you

alone regret the outbreak that lias occurred amongst us—but it cannot be helped, as our lands are being usurped by Hapuku—lf any of your territories were being usurped, you would doubtless defend them, and we also are merely defending ours. This is all ihat we wish to say to you. (Signed) Tarehu. Karaitiana Takoiuoana. Te Karawa. Te Maienga ftenata Kawepo. Te Waka te Kawatini. Te Hira te Ota. Wiremu te Uewarewa. Kauauria Pupu. Porokoru Mapu. Psora Kaiwata. and several others.

Ahuahu, June 20lh, 1857. Friend Mr. Turtoit, This is our word, respecting an Inspector of Mills, that he be sent back to his work; and it is with us to pay him the sum of 9J. 0 0 per annum for each Mill; there are 26 Mills. We will pay ihis sum to th* Governor, and let him pay the Inspector. This we do that the work may bedonewell; and that the Inspector may do his work well, and be responsible to the Governor. Now, if you consent, let it be printed in the "Maori Messenger;" so that it mav be seen by the owners of the Mills. From Anatipi " If one Pumipi " Hone Te One " Kepa " Hone Eketone. And from the old men, Nuiione Matiri Takerei, And from all the assmbly.