HAPURONA AND THE LAW.
"I am cultivating good feelings towards the Maori and Europeans" writes Hapurona of Taranaki, Feb. 1, 1862,—"8e not sad on my account, for no evil will emanate from me." Were the sentiments of our friend Hapurona always thus, it would be well; but this subdued strain ill accords with the late defiant attitude he assumed brandishing bis club, and threatening vengeance against the Europeans in consequence of an alleged
Assault upon his son. Bat; suppose! we &itofit that some allowance; should be forHapurona on the occasion • of - his son's tale cliastisieknent contrary to law ; wlia means;the following sentence:written id bis more sober moments? "laokdspleased for bating, been taken to gaol. If ibe land tad gong f» you it would have been well for me la have been, enslaved; but as it is, my weapon has not: been broken by you and Uie Governor and yet you took.the liberty Iff seize me while you and the Governor are proposing peace."
There is not the slightest allusion here to the jastice or dignity of the Law. Hapurona reasons, as did his forefathers centuries ago. His appeal is to brute force; 10 the physical strength of one man over his fell»w —one nation over another But let us re - mind our friend that there is such a thing as Law, and that Us dignity must be upheld. Ilis late lodgment in gaol must convince pifli of the truthfulness of this assertion; and if Hapurona and bis unruly son Horopapera nave no wish to be degraded in the eyes of the world, let tbera wisely refrain from the viceof intemperance which carries in its train a host of evils; and let them heir in mrad) that if they never stretch forth their htods against the law, the law will never stretch forth its band against them.
Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MMTKM18620313.2.10
Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka
Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 7, 13 March 1862, Page 11
Word count
Tapeke kupu
306HAPURONA AND THE LAW. Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 7, 13 March 1862, Page 11
Using this item
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
Tūnga manatārua: Kua pau te manatārua (i Aotearoa). Ka pā ko ētahi atu tikanga.
Te whakamahi anō: E whakaae ana Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa The National Library of New Zealand he mauri tō ēnei momo taonga, he wairua ora tōna e honoa ai te taonga kikokiko ki te iwi nāna taua taonga i tārei i te tuatahi. He kaipupuri noa mātou i ēnei taonga, ā, ko te inoia kia tika tō pupuri me tō kawe i te taonga nei, kia hāngai katoa hoki tō whakamahinga anō i ngā matū o roto ki ngā mātāpono e kīa nei Principles for the Care and Preservation of Māori Materials – Te Mauri o te Mātauranga : Purihia, Tiakina! (i whakahoutia i te tau 2018) – e wātea mai ana i te pae tukutuku o Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa National Library of New Zealand.
Out of copyright (New Zealand). Other considerations apply.
The National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa acknowledges that taonga (treasures) such as this have mauri, a living spirit, that connects a physical object to the kinship group involved in its creation. As kaipupuri (holders) of this taonga, we ask that you treat it with respect and ensure that any reuse of the material is in line with the Library’s Principles for the Care and Preservation of Māori Materials – Te Mauri o te Mātauranga: Purihia, Tiakina! (revised 2018) – available on the National Library of New Zealand’s website.
Log in