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Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 6, 9 November 1872, Page 2

As an instance of the evils we have escaped by the timely dethronement of the Stafford Ministry, we would draw the attention of our readers to the following substance of a letter which was read at a large and influential meeting

of Natives and Europeans held at Oweta a short time since. The letter is from KaraitianaTakamoana,andclearly shews the state of that portion of the Native mind of which this honorable M.H.R. is the exponent:—

Poneki, Hepetema 9th, 1872.

To Wi Peri, Hirini te Kani, To you all; friends, greeting!

The Government of McLean and Fox has fallen. That Government has gone out. The . Government has passed into the hands of myself and Stafford. Stafford has said that the confiscated lands will be returned to the Maoris, all the portions that are not occupied by the people of this island. The murderers will be released. Native I-iands Courts, and Road Boards will be abolished as concerns Maoris. The bonds of McLean and Fox that are oppressing this island will be loosed. But this is my word to you: embrace this Government of Stafford’s, and we shall be saved from some of the evils of the Europeans. This is the right thing for you to embrace it, that our salvation may be sure. Do not listen to any temptation of the Europeans. This is all from Karaitiana Takamoana. Read by the light of what was actually being said and done by the then Government, and the possibility of Karaitiana’s hopes being accomplished, we may congratulate ourselves on the speedy gathering of opposing forces which, by a determined and united action have stamped out the smouldering embers of dis- section, or at any rate have succeeded in smothering a flame that j wanted but the fanning of a few fanatical i chartists to blaze up the whole island. It is especially gratifying to know, and in justice we record the fact, that the rejoicing of the “honorable member” found no response at the festive board of the friends whom he “ greeted” so confidently, and who have joined in congratulatory addresses to Mr. McLean on his restoration to power, and the ousting of Mr. Stafford.