CORRESPONDENCE. [We do not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]

Waikato Times, Volume I, Issue 178, 28 June 1873, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE. [We do not necessarily endorse the opinions expressed by our correspondents.]

To the Editor of the Waikato Times. Friend, salutations to you! This is our word to you, which we wish you to publish in your paper, so that the European* rosy know what is going on in our kaingas. Wo have a pakeha amongst us who comes from Waikato, that is to say, from Matakitaki ; we cannot understand him or hi» storie3. He tells us that ho is in Government employ, and has been sent over here by them to wait until the man-of-war reaches Kawhin. Our word to you is, we do not believe this, as we know if such was the intention of the Government they would send some one who had raana (authority), and not a stranger. He also told us that he had come over her© to avoid becoming a soldier; if this is true wo- hope you have not many; pakebas like him in Waikato. Friend, we think this man is a corespondent for some newspaper, which accounts for us poor Maoris being frequently reported as d)ing something we never dreamt of until some person translated it to us out of tho newspaper. We hope our unwelcome guest will read this letter, for then he will know that it is no use" Tub bringing his strange stories (korero rereke) here, as we are a portion of the people who signed a requisition offering their services to the Government. There were 84 of us who signed this paper, more would have done so had they been present. Friend, we are always glad to- have Europeans visiting us, but not mysterious people like this; it will be a day of gladness amongst us when he takes hit departure from our midst, as we are afraid of something happening to him, when we should in all probability be blamed for it. He appears to have some very vague imaginations in his head, nnd we shall not be surprised to hear him say to-mor-row that he is Te Kooti, Tawhiao, or even Furukutu. There are quite enough complications amongst tho Maoris without pakehas making more, or trying th«ir beat to frighten welldisposed persons with these kind of etories. It is very wrong in our opinion — what can be the obje ot P Wo arc perfectly satisfied with the management of Mr McLean, and are certain that he % w,ill take good care that acts like Purukutu's will not occur again, nor will their perpetrators escape ; a day of reckoning: will come. Mr McLean knows what he is about ; •11 her requires is that persons shall not interfere with us, and thwart him. Friend, this district has always been a good one ; no bloodshed' or fighting has taken p'lac© in it, and although Wi Nera te Awoitaia ia dead, his thoughts and acts are still 'followed by us. We have no desire to commence a different state of things. We are always ready to welcome Europeans to our settlements, but we do not wish for people to come and frighten our old men and women, like the person who is the cause oGthU letter. Listen :■ we are living peaceably under the authority of our Queen — long may she live. Wo trust you will oblige us by inserting this letter in your paper at an early date. — From your loving friend, Hb Maori Kfpapa. Matahahain, Juno 26, 1873. (A Loyal Native).

PS. — Since the above wjts written we have had some telegrams translated to us coming from the hand of our unwelcome guest-, whoro rooni wo prefer much more- than his company. Wo need hardly say that the whole of this news is without truth. Ho wns not received by any marked dial iiirfcion, except the grunf in<? of a few pigs and the barking of ft few dogs The whole of hi* information is news to ul ,wj-.p hav,e relatives at, and are in daily communication with, .Kawhm. Tjipihana expresses himself 1 determined to see Mr McLean at Raglan, if he cannot ofc Enwhia. It was Tapihana who crosed over and invited Mr MeLeun to come over to the worth side and see Tutawhiao. Wo uever heard that Mr

iicLeHii was to be murdered by two hundred men, but we heard thai, there wa* onlj one nature in Kawhia who did not gc on board the Luna, and that wne not lleneaha. It siirpi-iKes us lo see such trash in print. Why do editors nuWlwl» it? c-«i>st;ial!> when it generally emanates from disordered brain?, well primed with waipiro.