E.-lS To. 2

OPINIONS called for iv the above Memorandum. In compliance with the request of the Hon. the Colonial Secretary, I here state my opinion as to the idea conveyed to the Maori reader by the second paragraph of the third section of the Proclamation of the 2nd of February, and as to what is understood by the expression " tona tukunga iho, he mate." The language of the paragraph referred to is that of simple warning. The light in which certain acts will be regarded is stated, and the consequences of persisting in a certain course are indicated. I should render the sentence thus :—" Now, let them understand that all such proceedings are offences against the law, and that those who so act will be held to have estranged or alienated themselves from the Queen, and that if such proceedings are not discontinued, but are persisted in, disaster will be the result." I believe the above to convey to an Englishman as nearly as possible the idea which the Maori words convey to a New Zealandcr. They cannot be fairly construed as expressing or implying a threat. The word mate signifies a state or condition, and even if translated Death, (which would be to render a word of indefinite by one of definite signification) still the words convey no threat. If death were intended to be threatened, a Maori would use the word ichakamalc, to cause to die, or to put to death. The word " mate" however has a very wide signification. It may be used as correctly to express " discomfort" as " death." Distress, sickness, want, and many other words can bo rendered into Maori by scarcely any other word. It is the opposite of" ora" which may be rendered life, health, wealth, satisfaction. The word " sutler" is more nearly equivalent to " mate"' when used in a general sense as in tho present ease. A person experiences the feeling of shame and expresses it by the words " mate ito whakama." He feels the cold—he is " mate ite makariri." He is in want of food or —" mate ito kai." In the sentence under notico the word "mate" may be correctly rendered " sufter." " Ifthey persist they will in the end sufter for it." In the Maori version of thc'New Testament, the words "In tho world ye shall have tri! illation" aro correctly rendered " E mate mate kolou i to ao nei." I am of opinion that the words in question convey to the Maoris generally, the idea that the Government intends to intimate that all persons taking part in the King Movement will be regarded and treated as rebels, and that those who continue to aid or promote it by the acts specified in the preceding Daracranb will bring trouble upon themselves. ° J ° i ' Tiros. H. Smith. Auckland, Nov. Bth, 1864. V The Maori words " tona tukunga iho ho mate" would in my opinion mean "the conclusion (or end) will be Buffering." The word " mate" is generally used to signify sickness, or to express any evil which has happened, or may happen. I have explained Proclamation No. S to a very large number ofNatives, at various times and places, and I never heard any objection raised to that portion of it being too harsh. James Mackai". November 7th, 18(51. ■ Now, they must know, that all sueli works are a trampling upon the law, and that those who act thus will be considered as strangers to the Queen, and if they are not discontinued, if they are still persisted in, the result will be trouble. The word mate, as here used, would be understood by a Maori to mean trouSle, disaster, or affliction of any kind, that perseverance in tho acts described would be ruinous to themselves. JI en m Mosbo. •' jj a ] { ; a monio ratou, ko ng.i main pera katoa, he takalii ito Tare, ako te hunga c pera ana, "kakiia he hunga whakatangatakc i aTeKuini, a kitekore o whakamutua, kite tone tenu, tona " tukunga iho —he mate." Literal Translation. Now, let them know that all such acts are a trampling upon the law, and the people doing so will be designated a party separating themselves from the Queen, and if they do not cease, if they persist, the result will bo trouble. _ Tho word " mate" is so vague that it is almost-, it not quite, impossible to fix it detinuely. Jt may be taken to signify anything the reverse of ora, passing through innumerable grades and shades of meanin"-, from the most trivial matter that can affect the body or mind up to the point beyond which it can go no further—Death. Thus a man wanting anything is "mate" for that article; a thirsty man is " mate wai ;" a disease or sickness is " mate ;" a man may be " mate"' with vexation ; " mate" with tho heat of the sun or fire; " mate" with love ; " mate" with labor ;—in short he may bo "mate" with or by the exercise or endurance of any of those emotions and feelings which cannot be classed &apai — j^ain taking the word " mate" in connection with a threat. A. parent thrcatons a troubles child with punishment—Ka mate koe iau akuanei, (you will prcseatlj be put to pain by me.) A man expostulating under a sense of injury says—Kua mate au i n koe, (I havo been injured by you.) When used in its extreme sense the adverb rawa is generally added thus:—Kua mate a Hone. (John in "mate") AePmato rawa? (Indeed, quite " mate"?) Mate rawa! Quite (Dead.) Looking at the question from a Maori point of view, and entirely removing from v.y mind the presumed bias of an English education, I should take tho passage in the Maori version to mean that persistence in tho acts there denounced would be attended with serious consequences. Death bein extreme sense in which it would be received. \v n.f.iA.u IS. Bakee.

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