MEN OF MARK AMONG THE MAORIS

NZ Truth, Issue 74, 17 November 1906, Page 7

MEN OF MARK AMONG THE MAORIS

Continuing from last issue

On Monday Donald McLean arrived on the scene, and wrote that he had been sent by the Governor and would see Te Waharoa (the King maker) as soon as a flag of truce was hoisbed. The firing was still continued,

tW6 of the British being killed and four wounded. On Tuesday Maori flags ,of truce were hoisted, and the King Maker appointed Te Waionaha as the place of

MEETING FOR PARLEY. McLean went accompanied by English and Maori friends. One hundred of the enemy warmly welcomed him. General Pratt's proposals were renewed. M6Leah was m ignorance as to the tribal meeting,, but he spoke at great length. He offered safeconduct to Te Waharoa and others, if t'ue King Maker would return to Auckland to draw up a full statement of all differences. The King Maker, ever on his guard against "surprises," said that the proposal was fair, but that his tribe, could not forget the episodes connected with the sudden seizure of Polnare and Raupafalia. They would not,' however, object to meet n^at Auckland. The conference did nothing. McLean wished further interviews. Te Waharoa would, like G; H. Reid, neither say "No" nor "Yes," but he would sit still for a month or two to afr ford Governor Browne an opportunity of

making peace. .If it was not used he would be prepared for further action. What Te Waharoa's thoughts were could only bo guessed. He asked McLean to be friendly to the Ngatiawa, and at his request the Maori chief, who had accompanied Donald McLean from Auckland, visited the Maori encampment, where discussion was continued m the night. At half-past 6- o'clock on Wednesday morning,

WITH ALL THE WAIKATO WARRIORS the King Maker left Waitara, firing shots, according to custom, over the graves of their dead. Mr. McLean regretted that he had had no further speech '.'with this intellectual chief." ■. ■ . •

Various diplomatic messages and letters were, sent by the Governor and Ministry, urging peace, but always a, peace favorable to the British. Many chiefs wrote m reply Te Waharoa, the King Maker, wrote separately. Beginning with dark hints and rhyming strains he said: "My song refers to those who are double-hearted, whose lips are given to this side, and their hearts to the other side." Why were these invidious distinctions between the races? "I thought that the currents of every river flmved into* the mouth of 'Te Parata 1 (the 'unfathomable profound of ocean') where no distinction is made, nor is it said 'you are salt water, and this is fresh water— remain you away— from a preference for the salt water only.' In liko manner, as the currents from the various islands flow into the w»uth of Te Parata, so also all the kingdom of the different nations rest upon God, as the waters rest upon the mouth of Te Parata. "When this work is arrived at we are rebuked. Thi6 great name of God which is spoken of to me, why is this free, to me, while of the name of the King I am told 'It is sacred, mention it not? 1 Let

THE PAKEHA LOOK TO DEUTERONOMY chap XVII, verse 15. Was not the Queen English- Nicholas, Russian; ■Bonaparte, French;' Pomare, Tahitiad; each from his own people?" With what, Rusdpn calls urn happy logic To Waharoa asks "How was it that the Americans were allowed to separate themselves? Why are they not brought under the protecting shadow of the Queen t for that people are the same raoe as the English. Whereas I, of this island, am of a different race, not nearly connected. My on?y bond with V is m Christ' (Bones „., 13 ) If all countries were united the standlJ out' and aloof by the Maori might be reprehensible, but they were not. Friends, So not be offended. Let me make known my thoughts on the great matter, which has furnished a cause of dispute.

THE TREATY OF WAITANGA did not justify the anger of the Pakeha. One chief could deal with his own, but not with the concerns of another chief or tribe. The ereat boon of Christianity was accepted gladly by the Maoris. "I say, O friends that the things of God are for us all. Were these things made for you only. No; summer and winter are' for all; the rain and the wind; food and life are for us all. If some were dogs, and others were men, it might be right to be angry with the dogs, and wrong to be angry with the men. My friends, do you grudge Us a King, as if it were a name greater than that of God? If it were so that God forbade us, then wo would give it up; but forbids not, and while only our fellow-men are angry w will net relinquish it." Te Waharoa Utrsa. iv itw"" <

Wiremu Tamihana Te Waharoa,

THE MAORI "WARWICK" OR KING MAKER.

(BY "OLD CHUM.")

NO. VII,

nounced the haste with which Governor Browne plunged into

THE TARANAKI WAR

He gave no warning; he had not said to the Maoris: "Friends, I intend to fight at Taranaki." The wrong-doer, continued the king-maker, who had become unjustly angry was the Pakeha. Te Rangitake who was wronged, had done no evil. Why was not the case submitted to judgment? Why was the evidence of one man taken, when the Governor might have called the neighbors together to learn the truth? "Friendas wherein is our friend the Governor right, whom you believe m? Te Rangitake, the man of calm thqught, is now misjudged by you; and the Governor who hastened to anger is supported and praised. Hence are my thoughts perplexed, for James said, 'Be slow to wrath, swift to hear!' As it is, the precept m Proverbs, Chap. XVI., verse 32, has not been carried out."

In continuation of his argument the Chief said: "Had Te Waharoa been angry there would have been some excuse, but the wise Pakeha should, not become passionate like a child. Te Rangitake having been invited by Te-Wbero Whero to return to Waitara, it was just that the Waikato should sympathise with the assaulted chief when he called to Waikato for help, Allies, connected by blood relationships, were appealed to, and averse by Potatau's desire fr6m land-^ selling. The Waikatos were bound to aid Te Rangitake. As to the charge of murdering, look at the death of Katatose. He was waylaid and died bylhaJa. "

THAT WAS A FOUL MURDER. You looked on and made friends with IhaJa. That which we regard as a murder I you set at naught; and you call that a murder which we deny to be one. The Governor had not warned his own unarmed people to remove out of the way when he declared war. He should have done so. Had he even said to the Ngatirua-nui, 'Friends, do not kill the settlers!' it would to some extent have been a little clearer. Enough on the subject of murders. Restitution of property was demanded by the Governor. But Rangi take's pah was burnt with fire-: the place of worship was burnt; and a box containing testaments— all were consumed ; goods, clothes— all were ' consumed. The cattle were eaten by the soldiers; and the horses— loo m number — were j sold by auction by the soldiers. It was this that disquieted the heart of Te Rangitake — his church being burnt with fire. Had the Governor given word not to burn his church, and to leave his goods and animals alone, he would have thought also to spare THE PROPERTY OP THE PAKEHA. This was the cause. The Governor first com-

menced the road; Te Rangitake merely followed it. From your loving friend, Wi Tamihana Te Waharoa."

Witli the decision of the Renunga, the king-maker sent a letter to the Governor, explaining that he had set up Potatau m 1857 "to put an end to land feuds, to put down troubles, to hold the land of the slave, and to judge the offences of the chiefs. I- do not desire to cast the Queen from this island, but from my own land. . I am the person to overlook it. Enough."

Te Waharoa called to mind that ho had boen converted to Christianity at the Rotonia war m 1836, and had ever after labored with the missionaries for peace, and to stay the river of blood which was made to flow m the land. But Governor Browne was unconvinced ; he told the Secretary of State that he must' have more troops to subdue the Maoris at once, or the northern part of the colony must be abandoned to "Maori law,, of which the aptest

SYMBOL IS THE TOMAHAWK " * * *

Colonel Browne was transferred to the quietude of Tasmania, and Sir George Grey once more ruled m Maoriland. On October 3, 1861, Grey assumed office, and gave an outline of the policy which he intended to pursue. As this is merely an article on the King-maker, there is no need to go into detail; Maori chiefs were administering for

themselves a rough imitation of English law, levying distress m the immediate vicinity of the Maori King. Tawahoa had founded a school, and on October 17 was engaged with his son m ploughing the school land, from the produce of which tbo children were to be supported.

Sir George Grey invited the chiefs supporting the Maori King to a conference at Auckland. But To Waharoa remembered that it was Sir George Grey who had kidnapped Rauparaha, and he was cautious. While Grey received congratulations on his renppoiniment from various quarters, Waikatp made no sign. The chiefs held aloof, and watched. When propositions were made for a deputation from Waikaio to the Governor, m compliance with an invitation from

TAMATI NGAPORA, ehwf rose and said that be bad been

warned m a letter from Auckland that Sir George Grey was hiring them to a trap; that at the CiipT; of Good Hope he had invited Kaffir chiefs to a conference, and had made them prisoners.

The King-maker wrote a letter m November. In a vessel, forbidden by the Renunga to carry spirits, had been found three kegs of spirits, put on board by a Frenchman. The Renunga seized the spirits, and the King-maker reported and justified the fact. The spirits were retained untouched. Sir George Grey sent Mr. Gorst to say that under his new institutions such misdeeds would be prevonted.

THE KING-MAKER'S TRIBE assembled at Arikirua to discuss the matter, and thought that laws made by the Renunga, confirmed by the King, and approved by the Governor, ought to be obeyed.

ONEKENEKE TAtJPO, What the I/and-Grabbers Wanted. | But they could not give up their King or his flag. A second meeting at Tamahere was less docile, though the King-maker clearly expounded Governor Grey's plans. * * # One of Grey's plans of settling the Waikato was to open up roads, a proposition opposed by the chiefs interested, because it would enable the Governor to throw his troops into the Waikafc6. A meeting was held and animated speeches made, resulting m a resolution that the Waikato should be closed.. The survey pegs were pulled up. On October 26 the King-maker preached a sermon from, the text, "Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is to live together m unity." He expatiated on the glorious results of banding the Maoris together under one King, as contrasted with the former RAVAGES OP INTER-TRIBAL WARS. The Maoris, gathered from Tauranga and Napier on the east, and Wanganui and Tarauaki on the west, were warmed by the King-maker's eloquence. To counteract it Bishop Selwyn preached m the afternoon m Maori, inculcating from the same text a wider unity than that enjoyed by Te Waharoa.

Next day Bishop Selwyn asked for audience on three subjects: "Let there be one law;" "Let , Waitara be investigated;" "Let Tataramiaka be reoccupied by its Pakeha proprietors." The Bishop was heard. He Solemnly appealed to the King, to the Kingmaker, to all the tribes,' to consent to good plans for peace. Opposition speeches were made. In the ensuing discussion Te Waharoa' acknowledged a change of opinion, caused by the ..deceitfulness of the Ministers, the occupation of Te. la> and the Governor's letter threatening that the King would be punished by-and-bye. Bishop Selwyn repudiated all intention of deceit, and left believing that the King's friends were more friendly than before ; that their tenacity for their King was unabated; that the East Coast tribes were most vigorous m opposition to the Pakeha. But though the Bishop had not, succeeded m gaining a vote of approval, He had made friends, and had persuaded the King-maker to make a final effort for peace.

After the Peria meeting Te Whangaroa went to Kihikihi, and formally ,*

ASKED REWI AND TE RANGITAKE to agree to the investigation of the Waitara title as proposed by the Governor. They refused. The King-maker asked that Tataramiaka should be restored to its European owners. This was also refused, and m sorrow the King-maker retired. To quarrel with his countrymen would not promote Maori, nationality, which the King-maker had at heart, and he saw nothing for it but submission.

* * # Early 6n the New Year's Day of 1863, Sir George Grey started for the Waikato. He met Te Whero at Drury, arranged that a

i canoe should be ready at daylight the next / morning at Maungatawhiri, and with a crew of 20 Maoris, some of whom were chiefs and the King's friends, was wafted up the Waikato, and landed at Faetai before midnight, being heartily welcomed. At 7in the morning 200 natives assembled. Among them were devoted partisans of the King, but they all took off £heir hats and saluted him as their father, and declared that if he had never left the country the King would not

have been heard of. They prepared horses to escort him to Taupiri. Having arrived there early m the day, Grey pushed on to Ngaruawahia, unattended. The Knig was at Hangatiki; Te Waharoa at Peria;

TE PAEA, THE KING'S SISTER, and a few chiefs, were at Ngaruawahia. As the Governor walked about gazing at the tomb of Te Whero Whero, and the flagstaff of the King, he was recognised and surrounded by the Maoris. They did not say, "Como, let us kill him!" They called him their father and protector, and many wept fears of joy. Grey thanked them, and returned to Taupiri. Messengers informed the King, Te Waharoa, and others of the presence of the Governor. The King was a bad rider, and a missionary sent a certificate that he could not travel. The King-maker rapidly reached Ngaruawahia. Other chiefs attended, but Rewi and his partisans were absent. The chiefs assembled at their capi-

tal, and were told that they could see the Governor at Taupiri if they wished. They proceeded there., and seated on the ground awaited his coming. Te Waharoa rushed forward, seized his hand, welcomed him to Waikato, and amid uncovered heads escorted him to the seat of honor. "Welcome our old friend; welcome the Governor; welcome our father, the friend of Potatau; welcome parent of the people." Taati and the Kingmaker made orations. The latter said that

THE KING MOVEMENT had been m the minds of the Maoris long before it had assumed shape. Under it good laws approved by the Governor might be passed. Te Waharoa asked if Grey were still opposed to the King, and Grey replied that he continually studied how to pull him down. "I shall not fight against him with the sword, but I shall dig around him until he falls of his own accord." Rusden says that it was an unhappy speech, and was never forgotten. It confirmed the worst suspicions of those already distrustful. The chiefs deprecated the introduction of a steamer on the Waikato River. The Governor said that they should put one there for themselves, but so useful a thing ought not to be wanted, and failing other means he must place one there. He invited them to send a deputation to Auckland to discuss matters. As the evening closed m Grey became ill, and the meeting closed with

CHEERS FOR THE GOVERNOR. The King-maker returned to Ngaruawahia, where it was resolved to invite the Governor to visit all the chiefs m the district. He, Grey, hurried back to, Auckland, postponing his tour till a fitter time, which never arrived. As his canoe passed down by Faetai, Maoris galloped 'on the river bank with letters from the King-maker and others, urging him, if his health would permit, to visit all the people. He did not visit them, and thus was lost almost the last opportunity of peace.

(To be Continued.)