Title: Proceedings of of the Kohimarama Conference, Comprising Nos. 13 to 18 of the “Maori Messenger.”

Publication details: Auckland

Part of: He reo ture nō te taha Kāwana / Language of the Crown

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

This is the word of Te Waka Perohuka:—

The people of Turanga are engaged in only one kind of work, namely, cultivation of wheat, sailing of vessels, and building of houses for the worship of God. The thing upon which our minds are most set in connection with the Pakeha is, buying Auckland vessels and other valuable property, that we may have one canoe, lest we should trust to the Maori canoe, and evil should ensue. All the people of Turanga will now take their stand on that which is good, and on that alone. These are the names of the places which are united in this determination:—Te Wairoa, Te Whakaki, Nuhaka, Nukutaurua, Te Mahia, Te Mahanga, Whareongaonga, Maraetaha, Wherowhero, Turanga, Pouawa, Wangara, Puatai, Nawa, Tangoiro, Kaiaua, Tokomaru, Waipiro, Whareponga, Tuparoa, Te Horo, Rangitukua, Waiapu, Horoera, Te Kawakawa, Punaruku, Wharekahika, Ko Rete, Tokakuku. These are all the people.

The above-named places have but one law—Christianity alone, and they respect the authority of the Queen and of Governor Gore Browne.

Now, O my elder brethren. Bring forth those things which we so greatly desire,—guns and powder,—the things which are desired by us, the people who are under the law, that we may speak the same words. If you consent to this, it will be well.

This is a word of mine. In the summer I came here to speak about a mill for our place at Turanga, for Pakohai. I agreed with Mr. Smith that the Government should undertake to direct what should be done as regards the arrangements for the erection of that water mill, as I had deposited my money with the Government in order that the necessary steps might be taken. I am anxious to have this affair settled. At the close of this Conference, let this matter be explained, that we, the parties concerned, may hear about it. Then let some Pakeha be pointed out who will undertake to build it.