The Decline of the Natives.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1578, 10 December 1885, Page 4

The Decline of the Natives.

A MAORI'S VIEWS ON THE SUBJECT.

Mr Ballance, Native Minister, has received the following letter from Tuteao Manihera. which is interesting from the quaintness of the opinions expressed. It is dated from Kawhia, addressed to Mr Bailarice as Native Minister, and reads as follows : — " Friend— Salutations to you. I have received your circular Jetter pointing out how disease could he averted and the means of preserving health among the natiye people of New Zealand. Your advice is good. Friend, listen to this : According to the observation by the Maori people as to the decay of the.ir own people, it is found that for merly m the days' of our ancestors the natives mostly died ot old age. Their whares, their clothing and food were very had. When they slept at ni<j;ht they, used fire to keep them warm, and m the day they basked m the sun, its heat serving them as clothing, and the people never died off. But the arrival of Europeans to these islands brought disease amongst them, and two complains made their appearane, namely, chest" complaint'and cough. From that time the number of natives began to decline. Subsequently another, disease came called measles, and now fever, lias cotue, and rheumatism.. Among other causes which .have been discovered by the' Maoris is that they have been neglected by the ministers, for the Maoris have a reverence for sacred things. In formsr days when the chief of any tribe died before that event happened his apptpaching/death would have been known to all by the flash of lightning and the roar of thunder rolling along the mountain tops of his own district. No matter \yhere a chief was dying they always knew, and would always say that such and such a chief would die, because that the lightning and thunder were at such and such a place. Friend, the food" and clothing are now both very good, but the Maoris are dying off; rapidly. This is what I have to say to you: If you think well of it let all vessels that come here be inspected, and if any kind of sickness be found on board let them be ordered to go away so that we may not catch the . sickness! That is all. I leave it to you to judge whether it is right, or wrong. Enough. — Your loving friend, ''Tuteao Manihera.^Pihopa." .