TE NGAHURU'S LAMENT FOR HIS CANOE.

New Zealander, Volume 5, Issue 409, 16 March 1850, Page 3

TE NGAHURU'S LAMENT FOR HIS CANOE.

[Translated by W. B, Bakeh.] '

I weep, when shades of evening close, The wieck of what is far from me, Whose fleet is sailing slowly by ? But thine, 0 earth-refreshing mist ! Turn each swift prow towards the shore Where Maketa repels the main. : Here, clinging to the tide-worn rock, We hold the shattered hull alone Of that canoe to deck whose sides We stripped the gannets downy breast, That men might gaze admiringly, When sailing on her Northward course She touched at far-famed Houraki, And caused each chief of Timaru, With wondering eyes to covet her : But split and useless now she lies A wreck on sea-girt Maukaha. Wanganui, 1849.

Of the contributions we have just named we shall only say that they afford promise of good for the future, if not much striking excellence just now ; and to be severely critical on a first number, produced amidst so many, hindrances would be unfair as well as unkind. We must say, however, that if the Tales from the French be average specimens of the "series" which we » are told " have been translated expressly for \ the New Zealand Magazine," we could wish [ the space better occupied; as we doubt if they

will minister much to either amusement or instruction. Some of the Native Legends, or Tales illustrative of the scenery, history, habits, &c, of the country, would, we need not say, be incomparably better. But Mr. Grimstone may reply to us in homely but forcible phraseology, that he " must work with the tools hehas, at present." We admit the argument, and await the results of his future efforts with sincere good wishes for the prosperity of his very creditable undertaking.