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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 68

Note L, page 25

Note L, page 25.

On several occasions in former years I had brought this matter, of a new consonant being required for the New Zealand language, before the Committee of Missionaries, but always without anything definite being settled about it. Again, in July, 1841, at their half-yearly meeting, in an official letter to their Secretary, I made the following request (among several others):—

"9. An order, authorizing the adoption of an additional consonant, in order that the deficiency still existing of some character to represent the "wh" sound,—a subject of material and increasing consequence,—may be, without any further delay, supplied."—

The reply was,—"Wait a little, until we consult Rev. W. Williams:" (who was then residing at Poverty Bay.)

In September of that year I also wrote to him on this subject; from his letter in reply I make the following extract:——"With regard to the orthography of words beginning with "w" and the propriety of making a distinction to mark the "wh" sound; I have to make the following observations:—

"If the general opinion be in favor of an alteration which would doubtless make reading easier to an Englishman beginning the language, I do not object to a change. Should such be the decision of the collective wisdom of North and South, I would suggest that your proposal of the letter "v" be adopted to make the "wh" sound. I have not heard on the subject from the Northern District Secretary. Perhaps an accented "w" would be more appropriate, and would do less violence to the orthography.—Turanga, Sept. 7, 1841."

Time rolled by, and another year was half through; and as nothing had been done by the Northern District Committee of Missionaries in this matter, at their subsequent half-yearly Meeting in January, 1842, (and as the Rev. W. Williams did not now meet with them, he belonging to the Southern District,)—in June, 1842, I wrote the following letter to their Secretary:—