NEW MAORI NEWSPAPER.

Colonist, Volume IV, Issue 371, 14 May 1861, Page 4

NEW MAORI NEWSPAPER.

Amongst the memorabilia of the month, the establishment of a Maori newspaper, under the direction of the General Government, must not be omitted. The title of the young and promising stranger is " Te ManuMri Ttiarangi," or " Maori Intelligencer.' We gather from the introductory article that this publication is to take the place of the Maori Messenger which has been the Government organ of communication with the Native people for the last eighteen years. It is to havo a bi-monthly issue, and will be circulated gratuitously among the more influential Natives of the country. It is announced that " a larger issue "of the paper has been authorised, and that arrangements have have been made to secure a better circulation of i than the Messenger had obtained. Special correspondents are to be appointed in the various native districts, who will, from time to time, give information as to the condition and prospects ot the natives in their neighbourhood, and will furnish any other intelligence that may be likely to be interesting to readers. It is proposed to give occasionally a short digest of European news, as well as full information on all matters of local interest; in short, that nothing shall be wanting to render the ManuMri entertaining, instructive, and useful to the Pakeha and the Maori races in New Zealand.

The number before us is of quarto size, and contains sixteen pages, with double columns in English and Maori. The type is large and clear, and good taste is displayed in the arrangement of the matter. Altogether it is one of the neatest productions in the Maori language that we have seen. There are four original articles on matters of local as well as general interests, some official notifications and correspondence published by direction of the Governor, a short obituary of .Native Chiefs, and a long and interesting account of the late war in China, which, whether so intended or not is a significant and appropriate lesson at this conjuncture. The motto of this paper is " Kia whakakotahitia re Pakeha me te Maori" or " Let the Pakeha and the Maori be united."

We do not pretend to be in possession of the reasons which have induced the Government to change the title of their publication, but we cannot but regard it as a judicious step. The Maori Messenger has not of late we believe, had any great measure of success; novely has its charms, and there is an obvious advantage in attempting new character under a new name.

The Maoris are notoriously fond of reading, and highly susceptible of improvement. We regard with gratification this addition to New Zealand literature. If continued to be conducted with the spirit and ability which characterizes the first number, now under review, it will attain to a position of influence in the country, and to a great sphere of usefulness among the native people, for whose benefit it is specially designed.