MAORI CORRESPONDENCE.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume VII, Issue 9, 31 May 1860, Page 8

MAORI CORRESPONDENCE.

We subjoin several letters from intelligent natives on the subject of the Taranaki disturbances. We have received many more of a similar character, but want of space prevents our publishing them in the issue. These letters need no comment, for they are in plain language and speak for themselves. The Mokau natives, writing to Mr. Parris, say, " We have received letters from the Kaipakopako people requesting us to look upon their misconduct, but we will not consent to participate in their misdeeds, for the proceedings of Wiremu Kingi and the Ngatiawa are wrong." Hone Eketone s in his letter to Mr. Whiteley, observes, " The people here (.Mokau) are of high birth and will not commit themselves in that

foolish work." Takerei and liis friends urge oo Mr. McLean to " leave William King to his eyil work." The Kaikohe people write to the Governor, saying that "theTaranaki people have trampled the law under their feet." The Ngapuhi runanga has declared its opinion that " those who persist in war should be punished." Wiremu Nero condemns the interference of VYi Kingi with Te Teira's land, and writes, "Let that evil be entirely suppressed." Hakopa writes, on behalf of the Patumahoe meetiug, "It is wrong lo murder innocent and peaceable persons." Enough: these expressions are plain and unmistakeable. Here are the letters—read them. Mokau, March 16th, 1860. Friend Mr. Parris, — Salulations to you. Your letter has reached us; it is well. We do not agree with the talk of the Ngatiawa, Ngatiruanui, or Taranaki. We have received letters from the Kaipakopako people requesting us to look upon their misconduct, but we will not consent to participate in their misdeeds, for the proceedings of Wiremu Kingi and the Ngatiawa are wrong. That land has been acquired by the pakeha,—first, by Dick Barrett and Mr. Wakefield; secondly, by Potatau, and now it is sold for a third time by Te Teira. That land is with the Queen; we will not consent. This is sufficient. Perhaps the runangas of the King may, we do not know, but if we hear any word from Waikato we will write and let you know. We think, however, that the Waikatos will not be so foolish. From your loving friends Takerei Waitara, Te Welini, Taali. Mokau, March 29th, 1860. Friend Mr. Whiteley,— Salutations to you. We have received news of a gloomy nature. Listen. The Ngatimaniapotos will not have anything to do with the foolish work of the Waikatos; the work this side is clear. If you hear any reports, do not listen to lliem, because the people here are of high birth and will not commit themselves in that foolish work. Don't be anxious about this side, but look to the other side, Wc shall rcst.unQu tho • Word of God,

, Listen. This side will be closed, because *'ltis the inclosure of Hine." This is a' proverb of Maniapoto, an enclosure for the! preservation of the people. Evil will not ;. (p!imb over this place. The people will not ;Wek a war with the Europeans. John Edlestoise. Mokau, March 26th, 1860. Friend Mr. McLean,— - Salutations to you. We have received youMetler respecting the works of William Kiiig. Your remarks are true and good. Don't listen id -the reports that hundreds of Waikatos are coming. Listen. The Ngatipianiapotos and Waikatos will not be foolish, because they are a great. people, of high birth. You have seen and know that they are a,peaceable people. Leave William ' King.to .his evil work. : Xisten, you and the Governor.. .We.shall rest.upon good works, and not be foolish to go Into evil. ' .Thechiefs of Ngatimaniapoto have sent a person, whose name is Timothy, with good advice to William King, recommending him •to put a stop to his evil work ; don't be doubtful of him, he goes on a peaceful misision toTaranaki to recommend them not to interfere. Don't be afraid to send on the mails, it is for the Ngatiawas to interfere with that. That is all. From your friends Takerei Waitara, Hikaka, Tikaokao, Motutatapu, Ngatawa, Te Wetini. and from all the chiefs and from all the people. Hone Eketone, The Father of the People. Kaikohe, ApriMT, 4860. Friend the Governor, — Salutations to you. Great is our regard for you, inasmuch as you are surrounded by evil, as you are the ridge , pole of a house erected by the Queen. A house for all ; the tribes of New Zealand, where lie all the : Ja\ys 'which , you administer unto .'.us-,. and which we have willingly received. But the Taranaki natives have trampled the law

under their feet. They have thrown off the authority of the Queen which is love to all tribes. Enough upon that subject. May Gfod protect you through the present evil. From your loving friends, llare Rewiti Puhikura, Te Huarahi, Opataia Puatuata, Te Hiko, Matiaha Powha. Te Taraere, April 14th, 18G0. Friend the Governor,— Your words to Ngapuhi have been received, that those wlro are acquainted with the word of God might see them. This is the opinions of our runanga, of the runanga of the Church, with regard to Hie promoters of evil at Taranaki. Use your own discretion. If a man do that which is evil, let his reward be evil, and those that persist in war let them be punished by the same means. The Scripture saith thus. "Payment (punishment) to whom payment is due." Therelore rccompencc evil with evil and good with good. Friend, the Governor,—Salutations to you and all who are troubled by the unwarrantable conduct of Taranaki towards you. From Panapa Kira, Te Tana Toro, Henare Manu, Te VVirihana Poki. Patunvahoe, April 7th, 1860. On the 6ih we held a meeting on the subject of the Taranaki feud, about which we have read in this newspaper. We say that it is wrong to murder innocent and peaceable persons. I therefore write to you to the Pakehas to say that murder is wrong. The 'aw says, Thou shall not kill. Paul says, in the 6th chapter of Romans, 2ord verse, The wages of sin is death. Attend. We do not approve of nmrder, what wc approve of is, ploughing the land for wheat, potatoes and corn for us to sell. This is all. Hakopa Te Waharoa. Wairoa, March 21st, iB6O. Friend the Governor,— Salutations to you. Now residing at Taranaki while I remain at my place. Friend the Governor. This is my word respecting the conduct of WiremuKingi; his conductis

Wrong; he is interfering with Tc Teira's land. The land is Te Teira's own; it does not belong to Wiremu Kingi. If Wiremu Kingi persists, let the evil fall upon himself. FHend, it is you -who overshadow the native people. You ar.e the protector of the Maori people from the evils that may befall them, therefore I say to you,—Let that evil be entirely suppressed. Leave it for Wiremu Kingi to trample upon the light of what is good. From your friend, Wiremu Nero.