Speech delivered by Kikikoi on the occasion of the Europeans leaving Kawiha.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VII, Issue 9, 31 May 1860, Page 7

Speech delivered by Kikikoi on the occasion of the Europeans leaving Kawiha.

Friends, all the European and the native tribes of the South and of the North, hearken to my words. lam not an evil doer to the Europeans; my good behaviour toward them commenced from the time when the Europeans first came to this Island, that is to my place to Kawbia. My friendship dales from that lime. Formerly when my father Pikia was alive he charged me to be kind to the Europeans, and to do as he had done. Now, 0 all ye tribes hearken to the manner in which his kindness shewed itself. Many years ago, a vessel from Sydney came to his place: the Captain's name was Brown. Upon her arrival she was plundered, but the old man was not a witness of the act. Two days after, when he heard of it, his anger was kindled, and he issued his commands that tin goods should be paid for; they consisted of guns, powder, tobacco, and many oilier articles. Pikia ordered that they should be paid for, and compensation was made—iwo thousand baskets of potatoes, and two hundred pigs. When ihey had all been shipped on board the vessel the old man look his own child, and gave him up as a slave to the Europeans, lie did so in order to provoke liis people, because of their disregard to his professions of friendship to ihe Europeans. My friends, lam alive to represent him; know then that my thoughts are the same as those of my father as regards love to the Europeans. Ha wished to be kind to the Europeans, so

also do I. Now hearken, my reason for referring to this subject is the departure of the Europeans from Kawhia, who have all gone to Auckland. Do not let the Europeans and the native tribes say, that the evil which occasioned tbeir departure is mine. No, it is the evil conduct of those who behaved ill in former times to the Europeans. Therefore I cast the blame on the tribe to which the evil belongs. My rule of conduct in former times was love to the Europeans; as -it is even now. Those are mv words.

From the north ye breezes blow Love upon your pinions bringing, Deathless love and briny tears Like a misty shower descending: Fountain in my inmost heart, Welling ever, unexhausted. Now thy love, and now thy form Fancy-painted seem to greet me; Known when conscionsness returns To be but a fleeting vision ; 5 And no object meets my eye But the warriors ofTipare. Thus my disappointed love Which had fancied thou wert near me, Like the torrent swol'n with rain Pours its tear-drops ceaseless flowing : Like a wearied, wounded, bird To sothe quiet shelter flying. Now my oft recounted fame, Erst rehearsed in distant places, Shall no more be beard or known. Nor by many tongues be echoed : Lest my spirit should return Evil on my kindred bringing.