LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR FROM THE TUHOURANGI TRIBE, AND AND REPLY.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VII, Issue 6, 31 March 1860, Page 5

LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR FROM THE TUHOURANGI TRIBE, AND AND REPLY.

Te Wairoa, Tarawera, February 11th 1860. A WORD OF ENQUIRY. To Governor Browne. Fiiend, salutations to you. Though you are but one, many cases are referred to yr u by the people of our island of New Zealand, so many that you cannot number them. Glance then towards our words asking for those things which we desire to receive from you, for the Maories have turned aside from

the ways of die Pakeha, saying that ihey will uphold their own designs whether of work or of law. What we now desire is that, the roads through our district should be improved and properly made like those of the Pakeha. We expressed a wish that you should provide money* for the workmenon the road. Some of the Maori tribes disapprove of ibis plan and say. Do not take ibe Governor's money lest you (tbe Governor) should claim the road as payment for the money, and possess all ihe.power over it. We therefore answered the people who made ibis objection ibus.: Tbe Governor will not lake the road nor the mana thereof, we shall still possess it, he only pays the expenses of the road out of love for us, and only when people offer their land to him does he lake it, but when they wish to retain it does not force it from them. This was bow v»e answered them. We desire therefore that you should explain to us your intention in giving money for the Maori roads that we may know what to do in this case and in any other hereafter. Our ears have now heard two ways; on the one band we bear that you are the slay of all the Maori people, while otherson ' the contrary say that they should manage their own affairs themselves. Our plan is to refer our undertakings to you and what our hearts desire is that you should arrange them. That which is in accordance with, our views we will accept, and that which -does, not accorn with our views we will beg;.of .youto let rest. Our present plan is to;welcome any new idea that may emanate from you the kind parent of both Pakelias and Maories who are living as one people in this island. Although you came as strangers to this island yet we live in fellowship under the same laws and under the kind protection of the same parent. From the Committee of the Tuhourangi tribe, Tarawera. To Governor Browne

Auckland, April 13th iB6O. FIUENDS, . Salutations to you. The Governor has seen your letter of the 11th Feb., enquiring for what purpose the money is given towards the roads that are made over maori lands. The Governor says, that the money that is spent on the improvement of roads, for the mail service will not be made use of to set up a claim to the Natives land. You are right in saying that the Governor takes no land which is not voluntarily offered by the

rightful others. The Governor thinks that all roads in the country should always be opftn to travellers whether Pakeha or Maori; "Whether the J roads pass thrbugh; land belonging; to the Europeans ori Native territory; • Do riot suppose that the hiohey.given to' the Tpqrkoien is in paynietit of the land, it is simply givoii by way .qT encouragement to the men employed in lho labour. -"; ; Frbni your friehid, McLean. To the JTuhourangi tribe, at the Wairoa, Tarawera.