REWI AND THE GOVERNMENT.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2094, 8 December 1879, Page 2

REWI AND THE GOVERNMENT.

(“ Times ” Special Wire.) j WELLINGTON, Dec. 8. To-day’s “New Zealander ” has the following : —TeWhero has just received a letter from one of his principle people in Waikato. Among other matters it contains information with regard to the reasons which led Monga (Rewi) to leave his settlement at Ponui where ho proposed to reside permanently among the Europeans, and go back to his old settlement at Tekuati, several of his people were here in Wellington, and were greatly alarmed, not merely because of Rewi going from them to Ponui but from the fact that instead of going overland on horse back by the inland route he went by trap through the settled districts of Waikato and took his departure by canoe from Alexandra, the frontier town and nearest European settlement to the King country.. With this explanation the letter which we have referred to will be intelligible. The letter is as follows :—“ Tewheoro, 25 month (Nov.) Manga (Rewi) left by canoe from here for Tekuati. This is the word spoken by Manga on his departure from Alexandra, a word spoken to both Europeans and Maoris. He said, ‘ I will now listen to the words of Tawhaio. I will never consent to see the present Government, nor will I again return to dwell amongst Europeans. I leave it with those important persons who have abused Grey to sec how they can manage affairs in my absence.’ This is the word of the manga to us ‘ He rupu pooporo ake.’ It is a farewell word to us and to Europeans. (Eupu poroporo ake) is the native word for the last words spoken by a chief before he dies of which there is one very well-known instance in Mannings “ Old New Zealand,” When a chief is on his deathbed, this last word is listened to eagerly by the whole tribe. It is supposed to be prophetical of the future destiny of the people whom the dying chief leaves behind.’ ”