Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Rare Volume

(A.) Three Letters From Wiremu Kingi to Archdeacon Hadfield. — (From the New Zealander, Sept. 1, 1860.)

page break

(A.) Three Letters From Wiremu Kingi to Archdeacon Hadfield.

(From the New Zealander, Sept. 1, 1860.)

Waitara,

Mr. Hadfield,—

Salutations to you, the face (friend) of my parents in death. Great is my love for you in the talk of the Pakehas, for the false statements of the Pakeha arc constantly reaching me. My loving thought towards you had therefore arisen, that you may send a word to the Governor and to Mr. McLean, about the proceedings relative to Waitara here, for they persist in following the thoughts of the man who is offering Waitara. Do you hearken. My thought is not a new thought You are aware that it is upon Waitara. I am not willing to give up this ground. Think of (or consider) Rere's word which he spoke to you and to Wiremu when you two arrived at Waikanae.* You know of that word relative to Waitara. It will not be given up by me to the Governor and Mr. McLean. However, you have heard my word to you when you came to visit us. I said to you the wrong that will take place after your departure will arise out of the land. You replied, Mr. Parris has the management (or it lies with Mr. Parris). Now his heel is lifted against me. This was his word to me, "It was by me you were saved." At the present time he and Mr. Halse have talked about taking (apprehending) me because of my holding the land; for, holding the ground is a very bad thing in their estimation. Hence has arisen the word of all the Pakehas that I am the worst man, but I do not know wherein I am bad. If Pakeha land had been taken by me my badness would be correct (it would be just to call me bad). Another thing, if I had struck the Pakeha my fault would be correct. But as it is, it is they who bring wrong to me, I therefore remembered, page 28 that with you would be the thought to the Governor, Mr. McLean, and Mr. Parris, that you should send a word to that Pakeha, Mr. Parris, for he strongly persuades Mr. McLean, and because I have heard that the price for Waitara has been settled by him. Another word of his was that they, the Pakehas, would not listen to my words. At present they say that though but one man offers the land the Pakehas will accept it. Hearken. This will be wrong very wrong, very wrong. According to me, the boundary for the Pakehas is settled, it is Waitara. Enough, let that remain there, let your words be strong to the Governor and Mr. McLean to cease their importunity regarding Waitara, so that we and the Pakehas may sit quiet. You write to me that I may hear. Enough. Salutations to you,

From

Wiremu Kingi Whiti.

Kaipakopaka

Friend Mr. Hadfield,—

Salutations to you. Great is my love for you. Your letter has reached me, for this your love has come to me, the love of my parents who are dead, you the one living, your clear words have reached me, and I have seen them. Hearken. The Pakehas still hold to their determination of taking (apprehending) me for ray hardness (firmness) in holding the ground. If indeed you had not heard the word which you quote (in your letter) to me. Is it not so, you and Te Wiremu (Williams) heard the word of Rere (Reretawhangawhanga) relative to Waitara (saying) that it should be held; that was Rere's word and mine, that word was also from you two. This is another word of mine, Do not you be dark. Mr. Parris is the Pakeha who is persisting; great is the obstinacy of that Pakcha. Mr. Parris has also talked of my being shot with a gun, and simply burying me outside, in our cultivations, (I am) not to be taken to the graveyard. It was his plan (or idea) to fetch Te Waitere, he died, and in like manner by Mr. Parris also shall I die. That Pakeha, Mr. Parris, is glad that I should die, so that he may get the land. He rejoiced also at the death of Te Waitere (Katatore) that the land might be clear. I therefore considered that the thought is with you, the Governor, and with Mr. McLean, as to that Pakeha, Mr. Parris, to do away with the plan he persists in of getting Waitara. The system of that Pakeha, Mr. Parris, is a bad system, he leads by roads upon which men go astray, for I have heard of a word of Mr. McLean's saying that I am to be apprehended. It was said to Ihaia Kirikumara. Enough of this. Do you hearken, peace has been made page 29 by Mutiu Te Waero with Ihaia Kirikumara, who has been here at Waitara. Do you hearken, I am living outside, I shall not sec Ihaia. Do you hearken to my thoughts relative to the word you wrote me on the subject of Christianity. My thoughts are upon your word, that is, upon belief in our Lord Jesus Christ. Hearken. I will hold to your word till I go and see you.

Waitara,

Friend mr. Hadfield,—

Salutations to you. The countenance (friend) of my parents and younger brothers who are dead. (We are) residing here in the great grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Father, hearken, this is to ask you to explain to me the new system of the Governor; I heard of it from Mr. Parris when I went to town to close (stop the payment of) the money of the Governor, the payment for "Waitara, one hundred pounds (100l.) I said to that Pakeha, Friend—keep away your money. That Pakeha said, No. I said, there is no land for your money to be placed (alight) upon. Mr. Parris then said to me, It is wrong. If the Governor comes this will be the real wrong. I said, It is well, you give (be the cause of) the wrong, sufficient for me is the land. I also said to Mr. Parris, Disputed land the Governor does not desire. That Pakeha replied, That was some time ago, now this is a new system of the Governor's. From what I know (in my opinion) the Governor is seeking a quarrel for himself, for he has fully exhibited death. I therefore ask you to explain it to me; perhaps you have heard of the Governor's new system of the present time, relative to causeless anger, insisting upon disputed land, and unwarrantably paying for disputed land which has not been surveyed. Do you hearken, I will not give the ground; if the Governor strikes without a cause, then death. Then he will have no line of action (tikanga) for this is an old word, "Man first, the land next." My word was therefore spoken that you might distinctly hear what my offence is, and also the error of all the Pakehas, of Mr. Parris, Mr. Whiteley, and the Governor. They say that to Te Teira only belongs his piece of land; no, it belongs to us all; to the orphan and to the widow belongs that piece of land. If the Governor goes there (to where you are) you speak a word to him, and if he does not listen, it will be well, for I have constantly heard of the talk relative to death. It was told me by Mr. Parris and Mr. Whiteley—Enough.

From me, From your loving friend, From

Wiremu Kingi Whiti.

* "The conversation to which he refers took place in the year 1839, before this Island was a British Colony." Archdeacon Hadfield, Aug 4.