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Notes on Sir William Martin's Pamphlet Entitled the Taranaki Question

Page 56

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Page 56.

"Last comes the letter of Wi Tako"…………

"The Native word"…………

In a translation of Wi Tako's letter by Piri Kawau (who in 1854 accompanied Sir George Grey to England), who is a near relation of William King, and though in the service of the Government, has strong sympathies with Kiugi, he renders the expression in question thus:—"O friends, this evil is Wiremu "Kingi's, and another by the Taranaki it is greater than all evils or wrongs in "the whole world." Piri Kawau speaks English perfectly well, and could not possibly be mistaken in his interpretation of Wi Tako's letter. And there is no doubt that it was understood by the Natives who received it to express condemnation of Wiremu Kingi. At the Ngaruawahia meeting in Waikato, Paora Tuhaere said: "I believe there is not a Chief in Waikato that is not convinced that Te Rangitake [Wi Kingi] is wrong. I have seen Wi Tako's letter addressed to you, all, and that letter and its statements should settle the question"

If the proper translation of the word "he" had been such as is here contended, viz., "trouble" instead of "wrong," it was to have been expected that a similar interpretation of it would have been given in the other letters quoted by Sir W. Martin.

In W. King's letter of 2nd July 1859, he says "Ko tenei ka he, he rawa, he rawa." This is translated "Now this will he wrong, very wrong, very wrong: and these words are given in italics. In W. King's letter of 5th December 1859, he says "Ka he, ki te tae mai a te Kawana ko te he rawa tenet." This is translated "It is a bad business. If the Governor comes, it will be a very bad business." Again in the same letter, the words "mau e homai te he" are rendered "You may bring the evil."

In Ritatona's letter of 5th December, 1859, he says "Ka ki atu matou, ka he tena" This is translated—"We said that is wrong." Again, "ma korua e homai te he" is rendered "if you bring evil"

In the letter of Hohepa Ngapaki and others dated 29th July 1860, to the Superintendent, they say "Na kua rongo matou i te kupu whakatikatika mo te mahi he a te Parete." This is translated "Now we have heard the defence of Parris' wrong-doing." Again, "hokona hetia atu ra e Te Teira," is translated "wrongly sold by Teira." Again, "Me ka tangohia hetia atu o matou whenua." is translated "when our lands are wrongly taken away."

In Riwai te Ahu's letter of 23rd. June 1860, he says "Kua kitea te he o ta te Teira ma." This is translated " they would have found out the fault in the statement of Teira's party."

Again, Ki ta te kai hoko whenua o Taranaki he tika rawa ta te Teira hoatutanga i tauu whenua, a he he rawa a Wiremu Kingi. Ki a matou he nui rawa atu te he o te Teira, kahore he mea hei hunanga mo tona he kia agaro ai." This is translated "According to the Land Commissioner of Taranaki. Teira's offer of that land was perfectly just, and Wiremu Kingi was altogether in the wrong. We say that Teira is far more in the wrong, and there is nothing that can hide his fault."

It thus appears that when the word "he" is applied' to the conduct of William King, it must be translated "trouble": but when it is applied by King and his supporters to any act of the Government or the sellers of the block, it must be translated "wrong."