HONI HEKIANA.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 39, 5 July 1845, Page 3

HONI HEKIANA.

My Deak. Spectator, — I have no doubt yo» have been- misled by the numerous reports prevalent respecting the estrangement of the Governor's affection from me. It is quite true he evinces more coolness towards me than heretofore, but I am unable to divine the reason, as I have endeavoured to fulfil his instructions to the utmost of my power. But to- enable you to judge more correctly,. I beg to- submit my statement of the transactions in which I have been engaged in connection with your Governor. In the early part of last year I received the following letter from his Excellency :—: — 11 Friend Heki. — I salute you in peace. You are a man after my own. heart. Though desirous of peace yet you are not afraid of war. Know then, that it is desired by me, that white men should not dwell near you, and corrupt the simplicity of your morals, to prevent which, ■we have erected a large pa, called Auckland, where we hold our Councils, and to which all white men resident in New Zealand should instantly repair. But as there are many pakehas who will not listen to my voice, and concentrate, at Auckland, I wish you to assist me in obliging them to do so, and I will liberally reward you. This is all at present from your friend the " Governor." On the receipt of the above a meeting of the chiefs of the neighbourhood of Kororarika was held, at which we resolved to carry out the instructions contained in the Governor's letter, by annoying the white settlers to the utmost of our power, short of taking life, in which we were indirectly supported by the Magistrates, who refued to interfere when called upon by their white brethren. As the promised utu had not arrived, namely, blankets and muskets, we conceived we had not done enough to merit them, and therefore proceeded to the flagstaff, which I cut down with my own hand, as it was erected on our own ground •without our consent and against our will, as was the hut erected by the surveyors at Wairau, and we had Lord Stanley's opinion that Rauparaha was justified in destroying it. When the Governor learnt what we had done, he pretented to be offended with us, (but of course we knew better, as the sequel proved, by his withdrawing the troops he had sent for from Sydney, and rewarding us for our exertions in his behalf) and caused the flagstaff to be again erected, with the following notice attached to it:— " Whoever- deth this staff displace* Must meet Bob, Fitzroy face to face-." *■ Anxious again to. behold the light of bis countenance, , I condescended to cat down the stuff once more, and what was my astonishment at hearing the Governor had issued the following proclamation, on learning what \ had • done : — " Whereas a- certain chief named Honi Heki Hath cut a flagstaff down at Kororariki, That is to say, without rhyme or reason, Hath, subjected himself to the pains of high treason ; Its necessary for safety of the realm, Of which I guide so skilfully the helm* That Honi Heki should be brought to me, To suffer for his crimes the- penalty. Whoever doth achieve this bold adventure, Shall be rewarded with a sixpenny debenture. To accomplish this end will give me gFeat joy,, God save the Queen " Robert Fitzroy." The elegance of the foregoing verses I am certain must strike you as emblematic of the Governor's general policy j now halting, now flowing smoothly on, and anon taking an unexpected leap, now having too many feet, and then wanting a foot to stand upon ; and the climax is fully attained -when he alludes to the liberal reward for my apprehension. I would write more, but Col. Hulme attends with troops, at the express desire of his Excellency, to exhibit rockets and other fire works for my amusement, and it would evince great disrespect, if I did not attend to witness them. Your's truly, HONI HEKI.

* " Whoever doth these boots displace Must meet Bombustesfaceto face." — BombattetFurioso.