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Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume II, Issue 7, 13 March 1862, Page 1

"Good books are like true friends; they will never fail us; never cease to instruct—never cloy."

The Native policy enunciated by the Governor, Sir George Grey, is known to the Maori people, an explanatoty paper having appeared in the "Maori Messenger" of December the 16th, 1861; and competent authorities assure us, that it has given general satisfaction. It will be well, perhaps, to advert to some of the leading points of the system, as its object is, to teach the Maori "to work for the common good of the country in which they live"; so that in time they may become " a happy people, rich, wise, and well instructed, and every year advancing in prosperity." Firstly, then: " The parts of the Island inhabited by Maories, will be

marked off into several Districts, according to tribes or divisions of tribes, and the natural features of the country." 2. " A learned and good European, to assist the Maories in the work of' making laws, and enforcing them," will be appointed by the Governor, and "will be called the Civil Commissioner." 3. " There will be a Runanga for that District, which will consist of a i certain number of men chosen from i the Assessors." " # 4. " Every District will be subdi-; vided into Hundreds, and in each of these there will be Assessors appointed" chosen by the Natives, and subject to the approval of the Governor. 5. A European Magistrate will be located in each District, who, with the Assessors, will hold Courts " for disputes, cattle trespass, and all breaches of the law," 6. " There will be Policemen, and one chief Policeman to every Hundred," whose duty shall be "to summon all persons against whom there are complaints, before the Courts of the Assessors," and to " see that the orders of the Assessors are carried out." 7. The "fines which shaU be paid" are to be " applied to some public uses"; the Commissioner or Magistrate taking charge of " this money till it is required." 8. Schools are to be established in the Maori Districts, the Natives paying " part of the salary of the School Teacher," and the Governor paying the remainder.

9. A European Doctor will be stationed in each District, if the Natives wish, who will receive a

•alary from the Government; but all who r require. his services " will pay for : them, except such as the Runanga may decide to be too poor to do so." 10. The Runangas will have "to decide all disputes about the lands," and, " make a Register, in which should be written a statement of all the lands within the District of that Runanga." The next matters commanding the attention of the Native tribes are, the " Orders in Council," appointing Dstricts under the " Native Circuit Courts Act," and the "Native Districts Regulation Act." With thehope that the Natives will better understand these regulations, the Districts will be named, and the dates when the " Orders in Council" were passed. They may, therefore, read for themselves the full particulars in the Messengers previously forwarded to the various Maori settlements*

Orders in Council. The Order appointing the Upper Waikato under the " Native Circuit Courts Act," and the " Native Districts Regulation Act," passed December 16, 1861. January 3,1862 —Order appointing Waiuku under the tl Native Circuit Cpurts Act," and under the " Native Districts Keeulation Act." . Januarys, 1862.—-Tokomaru. " 8, " —Waiapu. 16, —Lower.Waikato. " 25, " —Bay of Islands. ." 25, . —Mangonui. March' 7j " —Ahuriri. " 7, " Manaw&tu. " • ; .7] . " . ;—Bay of Plenty. ' 7, . • -^Waihou.

The Natives may "ask how this extensive machinery is to be worked. We reply that Officers will be appointed, both English and Maori, whose business will be to carry out the Governor's instructions, and who will suggestfrom time to time alterations in the existing laws, should any be needed. We may here mention, for the information of the Native people, the names of the English gentlemen who have received appointments under the new system:— George Clarke, senr., Esq., Civil Commissioner, Bay of Islands. Mr. H. Clarke, Interpreter, Waimate. E. M. Williams, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Waimate. T

H. Watling, Esq., Medical Officer, Waimate. J. R. Clendon, Esq., Hesident Magistrate, Hokianga. W. B. White, Esq., Superintendent of District, Mangonui. Major J. Speedy, Hesident Magistrate, Waiuku. Mr. Philip King, Interpreter, Waiuku. James Armitage, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Lower Waikato. John Eldon Gorst, Esq., Resident Mrgistrate, Upper Waikato. Mr. M. Clarke, Interpreter, Upper Waikato. George Law, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Taupo. Colonel A. H. Russell, Civil Commissioner, Napier. Walter Lawry Buller, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Otaki. W. 6. Baker, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Rkngitukia, East Cape. Mr .Richard Parsons, Interpreter,

and Manner of Schools. Rangitukia, East Cape. C. P. Baker, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Turaqga, Poverty Bay. The following Natives have also received appointments Loweb Waikato District. Hundred ofTaupari. Native Assessors—"Waata Kukutai Tamati Te Momi Te Putu President of Runanga—. . Ruka Tauroa Six Constables Hundred of Te Akau, Native Assessors— Kepa Te Apa Tamehana Tanui Hoeta Paerangi President of Runanga— Hami Whakatari Six Constables Hundred of Whaingaroa. Native Assessors— Hetaraka Nero Hetaraka Te Whare Ngori President of Runanga— Hone Pirihi Five Constables

Hundred of Kohekohe. Native Assessors— Wiremu Te Wheoro Eraihi MakomakoPresidents of Runanga— Tipene Hori Aripata Noa Te Tawhara. Six Constables "Waiuku. Native Assessors— Ahipene Kaihau Hon tfauroa Wardens— Tipene Te Tafota MaihiKatipa

Secretaries— Wiremu Tauroa Kerei Ahipene . Seven Constables Bay op Islands District. Native Assessors— TamatrWaka Nene Kingi W iremii Tareha Wiremu Hau Hemi Marupo Maihi Kawiti Hira Mura Awa Bangatira Moetara Arama Karaka Pi Aperahama Taonui Hare Hongi Hika Warden— Papahurihia Twenty Constables

It may not be uninteresting to notice the Governor's yisits to the Bay of Islands and other places; and in doing so, we must again ask our rerders to refer to the columns of previous issues, where they will find the detailed accounts. Bay of Islands. His Excellency, accompanied by General Cameron and Mr. Fox, the Colonial Secretary, arrived at the Bay of Islands on the sth of January, and " on the morning of Wednesday, the 6th, the Governor went on shore, when he was received by the whole population, the natives and Europeans vying with each other to do nim honour." At the Waimate, the Governor was received with continuous cheering, having been escorted thither by four hundred " native horsemen, rid-? ing in military order," displaying the Union Jack. At Hokianga, "His Excellency's arrival was annouuced by a salute

from the big guns and smaller arms," and on the occasien of his landing at Herd's Point, himself and suite " were welcomed by the exhibition of the Maori war dance; 15u0 natives having assembled here to meet the Governor."

Lower Waikato. At Waiuku Sir George Grey and party were met by " a large concourse of natives and Europeans, who greeted His Excellency back again to New Zealand with a most bordial welcome, and conducted him to a large tent erected for the occasion, where about 150 Europeans and Maories sat down together to a substantial repast." The leading native chiefs congratulated the Governor with much warmth of feeling, and the Waiuku settlers presented a courteous " Address, which was graciously responded to by the Governor." At Kohanga, the mission premises of the Venerable Archdeacon MaunseU, "thenatives were awaiting Hisj Excellency's arrival, the way to the settlement being lined by men on one side, and women and school childrea on the other; while the manifestation of joy at the return of their former Parent" was exceedingly great..

The hearty reception of Sir George Grey at the Lower Waikato may be deduced from the speeches delivered by the principal chiefs on the occasion of His Excellency's visit. We annex a few extracts:— " Welcome! 0 Governor, to Waikato -to the house which has been shattered; to the path which has become overgrown; to the fence which has been broken down. Come to the sheep which have been scattered; they are scattered because there is

110 shepherd. Welcome to your old resting-places; come to the shore " " I Trill call my friend the Gover- i nor to come hither. Come in peace and in love, bearing in. mina the words of Potatau, who though dead is here in sentiment. Gome peacefully, 0 Governor, and look on us, and let us look on you." " Come, 0 my father, to Waikato; its stream is turbid, but do you catise its waters to become clear, and introduce to us your institutions.". "Welcome, 0 Governor. Bring the laws to Waikato, and although they have become effiete, you will renew them. Bring them as a restorative, to be with us for ever." " Come hither, 0 Governor. This is.the tight thing, and the thing that will ensure peace, even the law. Let me place it in my basket, that it may not be destroyed by the moth." "Welcome, 0 my Mend the Governor, with your system. Tou have apportioned benefits to each, and every one is receiving the assurance of good will. 5 ' " Welcome, 0 Governor. Come graciously and peacefully; come to the land. You have opened unto us the treasure house."

"Welcome, 0 Governor. Come and hear the speeches of this 'council, and bring with you tidings of peace for the whole of New Zealand."

It will be seen that but a few localities have been divided into Districts and Hundreds; but it must not be conjectured that the Maori inhabiting these Districts are the only tribes who have received as a boon

the newly initiated system; on the contrary, natives in many other places, not yet gazetted, have made considerable progress in the arrangements for the establishment of councils, schools, and making roads. Grants have been made to Schools in the Maori Districts; at Rotorua, £200; at Tauranga, £300; and sundry sums for various other Districts have been proposed, but not yet settled. Regarding public roads in the Maori country, nrany tribes have manifested great anxiety to engage in this department; as, for instance, the people of the Bay of Islands, Kaipara, and Mangonui Districts; but the more important intelligence perhaps is, the desire of the Maketu and Lower Waikato people to open the roads through their territories. A grant of £SOO has been made to enable William Naylor forthwith to carry out his excellent scheme of uniting the Upper Waikato and Whaingaroa by a good bridle road. JJe has, very wisely, we think, determined to commence operations on the banks of the Waipa river, in the Upper Waikato country.

We may here state tliat, "tlie total native population within the limits of the Lower Waikato District, as constituted by the recent Order in Council, is.3585; out of this number Mr. Arinitage estimates that 688 reject the Governor's scheme (including the people at Paetai, &c.), leaving 2697 as the number assenting " <lt may not be out of place to enumerate the settlements where the native tribes have accepted Sir George Grey's system, the object being to give at one view the progressive steps taken by the agents of Government.

The Bay of Islands, Mangonui, Waiuku, and Lower Waikato have already been noticed; the following places may now be added, —Whangarei, Kaipara, the Thames, Whaingaroa, Aotea, and a section of KawhiaandTaupo; theTarawera, Rotorua, Rotoiti, Kotokakahi, Tauranga, Whakatane, and a section of the East coast, at Kangitukia. Other places might be named, but these will suffice for general information.