THE WAIKATO.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 13, 22 April 1871, Page 7

THE WAIKATO.

INTERVIEW with manuhiri respecting the MURDER OE TODD. [Translated for the « Southern Cross" from " Te Waka Maori."] On the 14th December two influential natives, called Te Kohari te Patene and T© Wheovo, started for the Zing's settlement to prevail upon the Waikatos to give up to the Government the murderers of Mr Todd. Te Kohari Wi Pater.e—who wrote the following account to the Maori newspaper—is a very intelligent young chief, educated at the Bishop's College m Auckland, and possessing a very fair knowledge of the English language. Both Wi Patene and Te Wheoro are connected with all the Waikato hapus, and have a thorough knowledge of Waikato native matters :—" We proceeded to Kuiti, where were assembled all the chiefs of Waikato. Several chiefs spoke, but only m reference to the death of Kihi Te Kanawa. At the request of Tiaho, Manuhiri and all the other chiefs came to the house wherein were Te Wheoro and Wi Patene. Tawhaio also was present. . Wi Patene, after awhile, addressing Manuhiri, said : We have come to see you, that is, the Waikato peoDle. Do not supnose that we have been sent by the Government—not so. But, we have usually heard of other tribes committing murders—i now we find that you, Waikato, have adopted the practice. For this reason I and your child (Wi Te Wheoro) have come to hear what you have to say respecting this murderous work, and that you also may hear what • our thoughts are on the subject.—Here Manuhiri angrily asked : Do you threaten me ? Eh ! —Wi Patene said :We are not threatening. We simply wish to speak of the consequences of this work of murder of yours—of Waikato; —Te Wheoro : Manukau is dead. He was murdered within my boundary line. And I say to you that you are guilty ; very guilty. —Manuhiri: I say rather you are guilty; you have killed the land.—Te Wheoro: You are the guilty one. You have murdered apakeha within my line.—Manuhiri: Whose line is that ? Who knows anything about that line ? —Te. Wheoro : I do, and so do you. The Europeans are residing within it —Manuhiri: , I knownothing about any such line. The only 1 line I know of is at Maungatawhiri.-—Here the parties began to wax hot in dispute. —Te Wheoro said: Listen to me. You know my boundary (i.e., the Government boundary). The Europeans are residing within it ; from Maungatawhiri it extends to Waikato, and thence to Pirongia. A short time ago you decided in favor of peace in the land; the four sides of the Island heard your announcement of peace. You have trampled upon the peace declared by yourself; you have murdered a pakeha, and you are now guilty. Give up these murderers in satisfaction for the slaaghtered pakeha. Give them up at once that we may be clear of this evil, and be as wc- were in days gone by.— Manuhiri : No ! you will be the atonement for that pakeha. You (i.e , all loyal natives) will shortly be slaughtered by the pakeha.—Te Wheoro : For what renson should the pakeha attack me ? Am I (i.e., are we) a murderer like you? What to me is the work of these slaves, that you should say I shall be the victim ?—Manuhiri: Eh ! What! Depend upon it the pakehas will cut you up shortly.— Te Wheoro: If I do evil as you do, the pakeha will turn upon me. But if I live quietly, what harm can come near those who live in quietness ? The Sacred Word says, ' Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.' I advise you to give up the murderers, that peace may be in the land.— Manuhiri: When did you find out. that I was so good and easy a man ?—Te Wheoro : When you applied yourself to promote peace —then I saw your goodness. I had hoped you would continue in that course. Leave to other tribes such foolish work. Do you conduct yourself aright. Manuhiri: If you were pakehas I should still speak as I now'do. —Te Wheoro :Do you imagine the pakehas would come to talk to an evil man like you, a murderer?—From the observation of Te Wheoro and Wi Patene, of this great leader of the King party, they are of opinion that he inclines to evil' (war) ; that he is not favorable to peace and quietness; if he were so inclined he would allow crimes to be dealt with by law. Te Wheoro. in conclusion, said to him :_ Now I know that you are the prime mover in this murder, from your determination to withhold the murderer. We have now nothing more to say to you. We shall return home.—On the same day we started for home and arrived at Hamilton, where we saw Mr Searancke. We then came on to Karakariki, and here the chiefs of Waikato mustered, with the view of arranging for obtaining satisfaction for the death of Manukau. Mr Searance advised them to wait instructions of the Government before doing anything in the matter. To this thiy -agreed, arM the assembly separated. They are now awaiting the decision of the Government, and, whatever that may be, will bo prepared to adopt it. — Te Kohari Wi Patene."