[97] TE TOA TAKITINI
Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.
Number 37,
Hastings,
September 1, 1924
‘THE MAORI.’
A Book by Te Peehi (Elsdon Best)
The people disappear, the land slides away, and the stories also disappear. Were it not for Pakeha elders such as Te Peehi (Elsdon Best), Te Mete (S Percy Smith), Te Wiremu (Leonard Williams) and his son, Herbert, who collected the fragments and joined them together, it is said that the story of the Maori People would be lost to the world. Elsdon Best’s book entitled ‘The Maori’ has been printed by the History Board at the request of the Polynesian Society. The book is in two parts. The first part has been completed and is now being advertised so that those who want copies can purchase them,
The cost of the first part is 7/6, postage is 1/-, a total of 8/6. Those wanting copies can write to H H Tombs, 22 Wingfield Street, Wellington, enclosing 8/6.
This book is a treasure eagerly sought by other parts of the world. A company in London, England, has already ordered 520 copies, It is true that it is written in English, but many Maori know that language.
The pr0fit from the sale of the book will be given to the Polynesian Society to grow a fund for the printing of other books by its scholars over the coming years.
My friends don’t leave it t the Pakeha only to buy Te Peehi’s book.
Published by the Rev F A Bennett and printed by Cliff Press, Queen Street, Hastings, HB.
[98]
Te Toa Takitini
Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.
The Subscription for the paper is 6/6 a year.
Address letters to ‘Te Toa Takitini,’ Box 300, Hastings,
Te Toa Takitini, September 1, 1924.
BISHOP AZARIAH.
We have received the report Bishop Azariah wrote for his paper, ‘Dornakal Diocesan Magazine,’ about the work of the mission to his area of India.
He writes: ‘It was arranged that 27th July each year be a day of prayer for the work of the Faith in India. This is the 26th year in which all Christians have prayed for India on this day. The practice started in 1898. From that year this day has been set apart as a day of fasting and prayer for the blessing of God to come upon the work of the Church in India. During this day Indian Christians had the important insight that it was their task to preach the Gospel to their people. Groups were set u p to go to various places to preach the Gospel of our Lord. In 1903 the Indian Association was set up to pray and to preach the Gospel. There is only one medicine to heal the many ills of India and that is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his own diocese, 117,000 people have now joined the Church. If this Association puts the same effort into preaching the Gospel to those living in darkness then the Faith will grow rapidly.
A UNIVERSITY IN AFRICA..
One of the lecturers at the University of Ceylon to the south of India has been appointed as a teacher for the University that is being built at Accra in Africa. The University is being set up for the white and black people of Africa. The cost is a quarter of a million pounds (£250,000). The size of the site given for that college is four miles by four miles.
BISHOP AZARIAH’S HOSPITAL.
In the last edition of our paper we reported on the huge number of people coming to Bishop Azariah’s Hospital. We have now received a report on how the doctor, the chemist, and some of the student doctors are travelling
[99]
to visit people in their own villages. They take with them tents and medicines appropriate for treating less serious illnesses. During daylight they work with the sick and at night they use a Magic Lantern to show pictures of Christ and explain the principles of the Faith. The work they do is excellent. The total number of people treated by them was 450, and they only ended their journey when all their medicine was gone. If there is a gift of money to buy medicines, the Bishop sends those people to take the medicine to the sick and to preach the Gospel.
In the August paper we told of the opening of the hospital and of the 1700 people who had come to the hospital. We also said that we were £25 short of the £100 target promised by the Maori of the Diocese of Waiapu. And we have to point out that not a single penny has arrived during the past month. – The Editor.
A PARTING TRIBUTE TO MAJOR PEACOCK.
To the Editor.
My friend, greetings. Please publish my truly affectionate tribute to our father, Major Peacock, on the many marae of Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu, My heart is full of love, full of weeping, full of sighing, therefore I sought a way to lift this love, this weeping, this sighing: love told me to write it in a letter.
Sir! Major Peacock! Farewell, farewell, farewell! Farewell to the man who was the lashed-on side boards of every canoe which landed in Aotearoa, Te Waipounamu, and other Maori islands. I found it was the same from the head of the fish [Wellington] to the tail of the Ika a Maui [the tail of Maui’s fish – Northland]; when your side boards were in place it was launched to sail the Moana-nui-a-Kiwa [the Pacific]. Therefore, sir, farewell to the strong man, the wise man, the stout-hearted man. Go to the people; join the great ones, the tall ones. Go to the chiefs there who are summoning you. Go to your lads lying abroad at a great distance, a far distance, over the deep seas. Farewell to the man who was the bulwark of the Hokowhitu-a-Tumatauenga [Maori Battalion] from 1914 to 1918, when the whole world was terribly shaken, the earth was stirred, and the Moana-nui-a-Kiwa was in turmoil. Go, sir, to the lads you shouted at from 1914 to 1918. Go to all those lying at Gallipoli, in France, in Belgium, in the depths of the sea, indeed in the whole world. Sir, go to your friend, Major Wepiha, who has gone just before you. Go to your Heavenly Father. Farewell, farewell, farewell! ‘Lord,
have mercy on his soul.’ From the soldiers of Te Arawa.
16/128 Corporal Akapita
16/136 Corporal H Wirikake.
[100]
THE WARS INVOLVING MAORI 1860 TO 1870.
In the August edition of the paper we printed details of the wars involving Maori under these headings: The Date, The War, Pakeha Killed, Pakeha Wounded, Hostile Maori Who were Killed, Hostile Maori Who were Wounded, The Prisoners, The Tribes Involved.
We have had a communication from ‘Kawana’ (J Cowan), one of the best-informed men when it comes to the ancient stories of the Maori People and New Zealand. He has sent some information about those wars in the past. Therefore, we are using this list he has provided with his permission. Mr Cowan is someone very close to the Maori People.
The first part is in the August paper.
1865
August 2 Warea Taranaki
2 Kairomiromi Ngatiporou
Hatepe Ngatiporou
18 Tahutahupo Ngatiporou
Te Mawhai Ngatiporou
20 Kumikumi Taranaki
24 Weraroa Ngarauru
September 10 Opotiki Whakatohea
10 Pukemaire Ngatiporou
October 4 Kiore Kino Whaktohea
4 Hungahunga Toroa Ngatiporou
20 Koingo Urewera
Te Teko Patutatahi
November Waerengaahika Rongowhakaata
December Te Marumaru Ngatikahungunu
Te Kopani Ngatikahungunu & Te Urewera
MATAATUA
To the Editor.
Greetings. On 3rd June, 1924, the Hui of Ngapuhi, Ngatiwhatua, Te Rarawa, Te Aupouri and Ngatikahu, was held at Whakarapa, Hokianga.
The purpose of this Hui was to set out and write down the genealogies and the canoes of these tribes from Tamaki to Te Rerenga-wairua.
You tribes from Tamaki to the Head of the Fish [Wellington] and crossing to Te Waipounamu, listen! At last Ngapuhi at large have agreed that the treasures of their ancestors be brought out of their Houses of Leaning [Whare Wananga] to be a legacy for their descendants.
Editor, during this hui we looked at the article by Tutengaehe H te Paretiti in Te Toa Takitini, Number 24, answering the article by Erika Akuhata. Now, Tutengaehe, listen! You say that our name of Ngapuhi had its origin in Whakatane. This is what Ngapuhi has to say to you:
[101]
you, or all of you, are wrong in asserting the origin of our name of Ngapuhi. This is not the first time that the county’s tribes from Tamaki to the Head of the Island [Wellington] have spoken disparagingly of our name of Ngapuhi. Ngapuhi are sad that you have mistakenly dug up wars and battles to support your argument with Erika Akuhata.
As for what Tutengaehe says about our ancestor, Kupe Nukutawhiti, and our canoe, and Toki Mataowhaorua, he says that what Erika Akuhata writes is untrue. Ngapuhi says to him that he should now stop sending such dirges to be printed in the paper.
Editor, as for some of the other issues raised by Tutengaehe, Ngapuhi’s response is that he should now cease saying disparaging things about Ngapuhi. He should wait for the publication of the learning of Ngapuhi where he and the whole country will find the origin of this name, Ngapuhi.
That’s sufficient.
By Ngapuhi-at-large.
(Why did you hold o.n to your report of the Hui for two months before sending it here? By the time it arrived the issue had grown cold. Best wishes to Ngapuhi-at-large, - Editor.]
THE BOARD OF MAORI ETHNOLOGICAL RESEARCH.
T Raumoa.
Taiporutu gave this Board its name – The History Board [Te Poari Whakapapa]. The seal of the Board, designed by experts, shows a canoe being paddled with its upraised sail (ra is the Maori word for a sail), and underneath is the word ‘Utaina’ [‘Load’]. The purport of that word is obvious: it is a plea to the tribes to load the Board’s canoe with appropriate treasures – articles by wise people, genealogies, incantations, songs, and also with money which will facilitate turning those items into books for the whole world to see.
In September last year the Board was established and our paper published the names of the members. The Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon Mr Coates, is Chairman. He has power to call upon the Maori Land Board, the Maori Affairs Department, and the Maori Trustee for money for the purposes of the Board of Maori Ethnological Research.
The Funding of the Board.
The accounts below show the initial funding of the Board.
[102]
The amounts received up to 31st March, 1924.
Amounts Received.
The Board asked some of the Government Departments to get Parliament to vote money for this year to help with the work of the Board:
£ s d
Maori Land Board 500 0 0
Rarotonga Department 100 0 0
Samoa Department 250 0 0
Department of Internal Affairs 500 0 0
Department of Maori Affairs 250 0 0
Maori Trustee 250 0 0
Interest @ 4½% 15 11 10
£1865 11 10
Expenditure
£ s d £ s d
For printing Mr Best’s book, ‘The Maori.’ 200 0 0
Support for the Polynesian Society 100 0 0
Members travel expenses for meetings. 40 6 10
For copying Mr Best’s ‘The Maori Canoe.’ 25 0 0
Books and equipment for the Board’s Office. 58 15 0
Commissioner of the Maori Trustee. 40 0 0
464 1 10
Remainder 464 1 10
The Accounts from 1st April, 1924, to 31st July, 1924.
Money Received.
£ s d
Carried Forward 1401 10 0
From the Maori Land Board 1600 0 0
From the Maori Affairs Department 250 0 0
From the Maori Trustee 250 0 0
3501 10 0
Expenditure.
£ s d £ s d
Printing Mr Best’s book, ‘The Maori.’ 400 0 0
Help to Polynesian Society 100 0 0
For photographs and other work
associated with Mr Best’s books. 15 12 0.
Papers for the Board’s office. 9 2 6
524 11 6
Carried Forward 2976 15 6
[103]
The Board has asked some of the Government Departments to get Parliament to approve grants this year to help the Board.
The Department for Rarotonga 100 0 0
The Department for Samoa 250 0 0
Internal Affairs 600 0 0
The Board has met five times, the first meeting being on 30th August, 1923. The important thing undertaken was the printing of the stories gathered by Mr Best over many past years. These are the books.
1. ‘The Maori.’ This is Mr Best’s summary of the stories of the culture of the Maori People, their customs, their work, their prayers, and their migration from far away. There are two books; one has been completed and is now out in the world, the other will appear this month. Two thousand copies have been printed at a cost of £976, an amount which will perhaps exceed £1000 when other expenses are known. A payment of £600 has been made and £400 is still owed.
2. ‘The Maori Pa.’
3. ‘The Maori Canoe.’
4. ‘The Games of the Maori.’
5. ‘Maori Agriculture.’
6. ‘Maori Religion and the Gods.’
These books were written by Mr Best when he was working at the museum in Wellington. These books are the work of an expert. Printing these books will require perhaps £2000. The Board is hoping to make them available to the world before 31st March next year.
There are other books being processed by the Board which will require the spending of some of their money. They are:
7. By Archdeacon Herbert Williams: ‘A list of books printed relating to the Maori People.’ It will cost £200 to print.
8. By Kramer: ‘The Islands of Samoa.’
Kramer’s book is in German and it will cost £150 to translate it into English. Then it will be printed. Scholars say that it is the best summary of the stories of that part of the Polynesian people, the Samoans, and their customs.
It will be seen in the above accounts that the Board is giving assistance to the Polynesian Society, the body that since 1892 have been gathering the ancient history of the Maori People of Aotearoa from the time in Hawaiki. The Board has decided to give £300 a year.
[104]
There are also two books written by Mr Best about ‘Tuhoe, one containing the stories of the ancestors and the other the genealogies. The Board has declared that one of these books should be printed and has asked for the estimate of the amount of money involved so that it is clear about it.
There is also the ‘handful’ for Te Toa Takitini, which was set before at £50 a year, for printing waiata and their explanations in a supplement to the paper each month. Those are appearing for the first time this month.
Some of these are major undertakings by the Board. But you will understand that, although the Board has considerable funding, those undertakings will seriously eat into that funding.
I will write again.
Te Raumoa
Secretary to the Board of Maori Ethnological Research.
6th August, 1924.
BRIEF ITEMS ABOUT MAORI ISSUES
1. The Te Arawa Lakes. No-one has asked how this matter of ours is progressing. Indeed, it has been left to our paper to report the matters discussed by the Te Arawa Board and to publish the congratulations from learned people from various places. Te Arawa was the canoe that descended into the throat of Te Parata [the Whirlpool]; it was a tohunga who brought it to the surface. Is the mouth of Te Parata close before us? Or is it behind us? It is alright; once again, perhaps, the descendants of Ngatoroirangi are safe.
2. Waikaremoana. The people with interests in this matter know that the Maori claims were adjudged by Judge [Kiriwheta ? Clifford] and the list of name drawn up. The Maori appealed against the Court’s judgement. Afterwards the Crown also made a claim. The lawyers for this case were C P Skerrett KC for the Maori and M Myers KC for the Crown. It was left to them in consultation with the Head of the Maori Land Court to arrange the time and place for the hearing. The Head said that the hearing on Waikaremoana would have to take place when most of the judges of the Court were free. At long last, perhaps, our desire to have a decision by a court with authority on the status of the status of the freshwater lakes will be fulfilled. It is thought that the hearing will be in Wellington.
3, Confiscated Lands. Waikato held a Hui at Waahi on 28th March. It was attended by Sir Maui Pomare and Apirana Ngata. A Hui at Ruatoki on 3rd July was attended by Tuhoe, Ngatiawa, Ngati Pukeka,Te Whakatohea, Waitaha (of Te Puke), and Ngaiterangi.
[105]
The main business of these gatherings was to unite the opinions of the tribes who suffered from the confiscations and to prepare strong arguments for when the case comes before the Commission that the Maori Members have asked the Government to set up next year. During this session of Parliament the petition concerning Kauhouroa, some land at Te Wairoa, which it is said was taken in the confiscations, was to be dealt with. Now petitions on this subject have been put to one side to be looked into by the Commission when it sits.
4. The Tuhoe Tribal Area. Last March, the work of bringing together interests in the Tuhoe Tribal Area was completed, Only small parts remain. The surveying of the parts that have been consolidated continues. At Ruatoki, Tuhoe asked Apirana Ngata to draw up a scheme for bringing together interests in Ruatoki 1, 2, and 3 Blocks; these were left out when most of the Tuhoe lands were dealt with. Ngata has brought this matter to the Minister of Maori Affairs who has agreed. Now we are waiting until the Commission is free to work on that matter. There are also some parts at Waikaremoana awaiting completion by the Commission.
5. Patutahi and Aorangi. These lands are still being considered by the Courts. Patutahi came before the Lower Court to determine the shares and the list of names. It is now awaiting the Court of Appeal hearing. The Lower Court has also decided on the ancestral interests in Aorangi, and has settled up the shares for each ancestor. However the lists of names have not been dealt with. An appeal has also been entered against the decision of the Lower Court. The remaining part of these matters, namely, the compensation to be paid by the Government for what happened to these lands, will not be dealt with until the work of the Courts is finished. It is hoped that this will be completed swiftly. But who knows what will happen given the way the Courts work and the conflicting claims of the hapu?
6. The Ngai Tahu Claim. Last year the Maori Land Court was given authority to investigate which members of Ngai Tahu qualified under this claim for the benefits formerly delineated by the Commission. During the coming summer the Court will hold an enquiry into to parts published in the Gazette.
7. Motatau. A large part of the problems of this land has been settled through the efforts of the Member for the Tai Tokerau, Tau Henare. Some parts of Motatau have been withdrawn from the administration of the Tokerau Maori Land Board.
The
Maori Land Court has settled upon the amount to be paid by the Maori for each portion of Land as compensation to the Board and the Government when the land is returned to the Maori.
[106]
Some of that money has been paid and the people who owned those portions are happy because they knew that the land belonged to them and there are no longer any legal restraints upon them. This is a farming tribe; the hapu to which Tau Henare belongs. They raise cattle, they milk cows, and are now talking of working sheep.
8.The Seashore at Maketu and Waihi. Recently the Harbour Board of Tauranga asked the Government to place under its authority the seashore, the beaches at Maketu and Waihi. The Maori People know Maketu as the place where Te Arawa canoe landed. Waihi is to the East of Maketu. The proposal by the Tauranga Board has been criticised by the Pakeha of Te Puke and by Te Arawa. The Pakeha reasons are different. The Maori reasons are special to them – this shoreline reminds them of the arrival of the ancestors from far away, and it is also the place where they find food, pipi and other foods. However, the Minister of Marine condemned the Tauranga Board’s proposal and it will not happen at this time. The claims Maori have to the seashore have never been clearly determined. Which Maori tribe is going to take up this claim under the Treaty of Waitangi?
MONEY TO SUPPORT THE MAORI COLLEGES
There has been increased appreciation over the past years of the proposal made by the Maori Members and agreed by the Minister of Maori Affairs and authorised by Parliament, that some of the interest money held by the Maori Land Board should go to help the Maori Colleges. That law was passed in 1921 and in 1922 £5,000 was given to the Maori Colleges and another £5,000 in 1923. This help enable those schools to survive when they were experiencing the same difficulties that were spreading throughout the two islands, the falling prices of produce and land.
Now, this year the Minister of Maori Affairs and the Maori Members also have observed that the state of those schools is continuing to improve: those leasing the school lands are again able to pay their rent; the situation of the parents of the pupils is also improving so that they are able to pay the school fees. Therefore the Minister has said that the amount given to help the schools this year should be reduced to £3,400’ These are the allocations made by the Minister this year:
The School Grant
St Stephen’s and Queen Victoria (Auckland) 867
Te Aute and Hukarere (Hawkes Bay) 1145
Waerenga-a-hika (Gisborne) 208
St Joseph’s Catholic College (Napier) 312
Mormon College, Korongata (Hawkes Bay) 208
[107]
Turakina 174
Hikurangi (Wairarapa) 156
Te Waipounamu (Christchurch) 208
Otaki 122
£3400
WHICH PANGO?
As for the dispute about the Pangos, I have investigated it and asked where our challenger, Akapita H Ngawene, stands on the right Pango, the man who brought Mr Williams Four-eyes to the valley of Rotorua, who I contend was Ngahuruhuru Pango. The March paper contained my first article explaining what took this Pango to Ngapuhi after Parewahaika, the ancestor of Akapita Hamuera Ngawene, and others were carried away. In the April paper were the questions put by Akapita and his sayings proclaiming the greatness of his ancestor and his many names. At last his tohunga has become famous. I heard from my ancestors that Puao was the tohunga, that Tako was a tohunga, and that Unuahu was a tohunga who fought with Matariki when Ngapuhi attacked Mokoia. But what of that? Peace has now enveloped Ngapuhi. My elders, my fathers, don’t be angry with me. Where were you before?
In the May paper are my answers to the questions directed at me. I have also seen the answers given by Te Rire Whititera to the questions directed at him. Akapita gave up shouting. But perhaps he is waiting for Pirika te Miroi to answer his questions. This voice has also gone silent.
Enough! My writings on this subject are at an end. Greeting to our many marae.
Tutanekai Pokaihau.
WHICH PANGO?
To the Editor.
I have see4n your derisive articles in Te Toa Takitini in which Tutanekai says that Ngahuruhuru Pango brought Mr Williams [?Taiwhanga] to Te Koutu and Mokoia, Te Rire, Tupara, and Taekata say that Ngahuruhuru brought Mr Chapman to Te Koutu. Why are the statements of these wise men ambiguous? The ancestors say:
He totara wahi rua, he aitua.
A totara split in half is a disaster. [cf Nga Pepeha 784]
Distress is the result of divided opinions. The Church of your forebears is raised up by what Te Rire, Te Au and Te Eketu say; yes, Te Reeke Huaihi is the church of Te Rire and Te Eketu.
H Te Wheoro Poni.
(We have received a letter from Akapita H Pango on this subject. It is seventeen lines long and there is no room for it this month.)
[108]
THE CASE OF THE LAKES.
The tribes are full of praise for Te Arawa’s case. Perhaps this is the time for them to set out the process of this case from the beginning to its end. It would be appropriate for the Te Arawa Board to set down the discussions and the actions which led to the success of this case.
One of the understandings that encouraged Te Arawa as they took their case through the courts and to Parliament was that they had the excellent guidance of Apirana Ngata. Te Arawa wanted to give a large sum of money as a token of their gratitude to Apirana. When Apirana heard this he scornfully rejected the idea; there will be no gift from Te Arawa to Apirana. From the beginning of the case to the conclusionApirana has been the advisor and driving force for these tribes of his who had the good fortune celebrated by the country’s tribes. Thank you, Apirana, for the strength and understanding you brought to helping these tribes of yours which enabled them to acquire this remarkable treasure.
RESPONSES TO THE CONGRATULATIONS TO TE ARAWA.
To the Editor.
Greetings! We are deeply grateful for the words of praise from Wi Repa, Mr Bird, Kohere, and Paaka to the Te Arawa Board which led me to write.
Doctor Wi Repa. – We are actively engaging with your thoughts about Education. Your views on this subject are right. A person’s head is like a box; if they keep the right things in it they have no cause to be ashamed of the box. If the food in the box is only air then the box has no purpose; it is only taking up room in the world along with its owner.
Mr Bird. – Greetings and thank you for your encouraging words. The test is to ensure that the bright children amongst us get a modern education. You are right also when you praise the contribution set aside for the sick.
Kohere. – Greetings, Pa. You are right to thank Mr Coates and the Massey Government. a And we also acknowledge the part played by ‘The Rock standing in the sea of the Maori People,’ Apirana. It is true to say that it was Ngata’s commitment to Te Arawa’s objective that brought it to a satisfactory fulfilment. Thank you, Api and Mr Coates, and your joint child, Te Raumoa.
Paaka. – Greetings. Be strong in your efforts to bring together the ideas of Te Waipounamu so that part of their money goes to important projects for the benefit of our descendants after us. Koro, greetings to you and our grandchildren.
So, Editor, time will tell whether we see and demonstrate the fulfilment of the hopes of the Te Arawa Board.
Rangitihi.
[109]
THE NGATIKAHUNGUNU HUI.
Ngatikahungunu held four important gatherings at Omahu on 21st – 22nd August.
The Stone Fence. At 10 o’clock on the Wednesday morning the Bishop of Waiapu consecrated the stone wall of the graveyard and church. The Bishop was accompanied by his fellow ministers, Hemi Huata, P Hakiwai and Bennett. In his address the Bishop said, ‘The ancient name of the burial ground is “God’s Acre.” The day of Resurrection is coming when we will know that those lying here will be restored to life. These iron gates and the stone wall are a loving gift to them, our forebears, Maori, Pakeha. I congratulate the Maori who built this wall. Knowing that you built this stone wall you had the hope that you could build a stone church and with your own hands you have done so. I also congratulate you on how well you are caring for your churchyard. Let this be an example to some of our parishes in our diocese.’
Sir James Carroll opened the iron gates.
The Birthday of Sir James Carroll [Timi Kara].
At 11 o’clock Sir James Carroll was welcomed onto the Kahukuranui Marae. It was Timi’s 67th birthday. Taranaki Te Ua, Mohi Te Atahikoia, Te Hapuiku, Hori Tupaea and others spoke. The Bishop and Mr McKay, Member for Hawkes Bay, spoke for the Pakeha, and Dr Te Rangihiroa MD, DSO, brought together the greetings.
Bennett read nearly 100 telegrammes from all parts of the country wishing Timi well.
The young woman, Moori Perry, presented Ngatikahungunu’s affectionate gift of a walking stick to Timi, and Bennett presented the birthday cake, given by Moori on behalf of all Ngatikahungunu,
The words on the cake read: ‘A loving gift from Ngatikahungunu to their remaining chief, Sir Timi Kara, on his 67th birthday, 20th August, 1924.’
‘Hearty congratulations to Sir James Carroll.’
At 1 p.m. Ngatikahungunu set out their dinner. No food was lacking whether Pakeha or Maori; there were even preserved birds spread out on the the table.
The Governor.
At 2.30 p.m. the Governor arrived on the marae, The flag was raised, Everyone stood and sang the National Anthem in Maori. Afterwards there were the welcomes with greenery, haka and poi. Taranaki Te Ua stood to greet the Governor. What he said was very fitting. He alone spoke. Afterwards Taranaki’s wife, Te Awhi, presented the Governor with a carved paddle – the paddle used to bring the canoes across the Moana-nui-a-Kiwa.
[110]
Maku Erihana stood to present a gift to the Governor’s wife, a cloak and a kiwi feather basket. The Governor stood to thank the tribes for their welcome.
The Governor’s Speech.
‘My wife and I are very grateful for your generous welcome to us this day. Your haka and poi were wonderful. And the two of us thank you for the precious gifts you have given us. We shall never forget you, the Maori People. But should it happen that we do forget we will have your carved paddle as a tangible reminder of all of you on this side of the world. I am very happy with this gift, this paddle, as I too am a sailor like your ancestors who sailed the world’s seas. Your ancestors were the most knowledgeable people in the world when it came to sailing; they were better at sailing than Columbus, the man who discovered America.
Today you are also celebrating one of your people, ‘Timi,’ a man who has occupied many of the honoured offices of state, even the position of Prime Minister of this Dominion.
Hold on to the strong spirit of your forebears. We are very sad at leaving you. But some day we may return to see you. Your love, your strength, your bravery will not be forgotten.
THE GOVERNOR.
The time is drawing near when the Governor’s term of office as Governor of these islands will end. During these days he and his wife are making farewell visits to Pakeha and Maori marae to which they have been invited. There is much heartfelt affection and sadness as they turn towards their home and their family. He is loved and his departure is lamented by small and great for his fine qualities, his works, his speeches, his charm and his humility. He despised no-one. Therefore it is right to say that we have at last had a superb Governor.
On 21st August he arrived in Gisborne. In the morning he was greeted by the Pakeha. At 12 o’clock the Governor and his wife and their retinue arrived at Lady Carroll’s marae. Many Maori came to the farewell and performed entertaining items. The Governor expressed the great gratitude he and his wife felt for the celebration and the greetings.
After the speeches Lady Carroll presented Maori treasures to the Governor and his wife – a cloak, a mat, and a walking stick.
[111]
There were speeches from her Ladyship, Henare Ruru, Timoti Maitai and Wi Korotau. Her Ladyship asked them to leave their children at school here so that the two of them would have to return to New Zealand. The Governor’s wife also stood and spoke saying: ‘I am sad that I cannot grant Lady Carroll’s request to leave my children here, but I can agree that I and my husband and our children will return some time to see you.’ The Governor stood and made an excellent speech of thanks for the welcome and the farewell speeches. He said, ‘We are very sad to be parting from you today. We shall not forget the Maori People and your beautiful land. Afterwards, be firm, be loyal to the King, to the flag. But we have experienced your loyalty and your united determination to uphold the Empire when the Maori People embraced the call of the Empire to participate in the great world war where many of your young men gave their lives.’
Tame Arapata.
SYNOD AT NAPIER.
The Synod of the Diocese of Waiapu begins on Friday, 12th September.
PAST TIMES.
R[eweti] T K[ohere]
‘And Laughter holding both his sides.’ - Milton.
I have this desire to write up accurately the stories of the Maori People in bygone days, along with the stories told by the ancestors – the genealogies, the incantations, the waiata, the haka, the works, the customs, the ideas, the hopes. There is a dedicated group of people who are collecting all these things, but what of the amusing stories, stories that make one laugh? It is a sign of a people for whom all is well that they know stories and ideas that make them laugh. Troubles afflict people whose hearts don’t let them laugh – rather they get angry, they don’t laugh. If people are prepared to laugh, they don’t have troubles. One of the faults of the Germans is that they don’t know how to laugh; and one of the reasons why Chinese are not attractive is that they don’t know how to laugh. Some of the great Pakeha are people who write humorous stories, people like Mark Twain and others. However, to some people their writings are offensive; they laugh weakly at good stories.
[112]
Many stories known by the elders in my area are worth writing down, being told, and will amuse generations to come. If they are not written they will be lost for ever, So let me begin by writing the story;
‘Pakeha! Pakeha! Is that what they do?’
When Maori turned to the Faith they abandoned the old customs. One custom they abandoned was that of having two wives, or concubinage. So Kapu-whetu and his woman arranged to be married even though Kapu-whetu was an old man and the woman was also old. When the day for the wedding arrived the old man repaired the holes in his best cloak for the wedding, and the old woman did the same for her stole. The minister was a Pakeha, a missionary. The service began and they arrived at the vows. Kapo-whetu took the hand of his woman. The minister said the words for him to repeat, ‘I, Kapo-whetu, take you.’ The minister paused to allow Kapo-whetu to grasp the words. He waited in vain, for the elder said nothing. The minister prompted again, ‘I, Kapo-whetu.’ Kapo-whetu stood gazing at the minister. At this point the young people ran up behind his back and whispered to him to copy the minister. The Pakeha began again, ‘I, Kapo-whetu.’ Kapo-whetu laughed, stretched out his hand and patted the minister’s head, and said, ‘Pakeha! Pakeha! Is that what they do?’
When he finished patting the Pakeha’s head, he said, ‘A hokioi is the only bird that keeps repeating its own name. I, Kapo-whetu, take you, Amiria, to be my wife.’
CALENDAR
September
7 Twelfth Sunday after Trinity G
1 Kings 22.1-41, 1 Corinthians 15.35-end
2 Kings 2.1-16, Mark 8.10 – 9.2
The Offerings this Sunday are for the General Church Fund.
14 Thirteenth Sunday after Trinity G
2 Kings 5, 2 Corinthioans 6 & 7.1
2 Kings 6.1-24, Mark 12.13-15
21 Matthew, Apostle R
Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity
1 Kings 19.15-end, 2 Corinthians 12, 14 & 13
At Holy Communion the Collect, Epistle and Gospel for St Matthew’s Day are used.
28 Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity G
2 Kings 18, Galatians 6
2 Kings 19, Luke 4.1-16
29 Michael and All Angels.
October
5 Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity G
2 Chronicles 36, Ephesians 2
Nehemiah 1 = 2.9, Luke 7.24-end
12 Seventeenth Sunday after Trinity G
Jeremiah 5, Colossians 1.21 – 2.8
Jeremiah 22, Luke 10.17-end
[1] A Supplement to Te Toa Takitini.
INTRODUCTION
This part is a supplement in which will be printed Maori songs [waiata] abusive songs [patere], songs accompanying a dance [haka], love songs [ruri], and incantations [karakia], along with explanatory notes. In this we are honouring the request of the Board of Maori Ethnological Research that we print in Te Toa Takitini such Maori items, and for this they will pay £50 a year to support Te Toa Takitini.
The desire of the Board is that each tribe gathers together such treasures and that their experts provide explanations of obscure words in those songs and accounts of the ancestors referred to in them and of places and battles. They should also identify the composer of each waiata or haka, why they were written, and explain anything else that may be obscure. If each waiata can be traced to its origin then that treasure can be returned to its own tribe.
We are making a beginning in this first edition of the Supplement. If any of our readers find omissions or differences in what is printed or in the explanations, they should write to the Editor who will pass them on to the Board. Now if there is a large response and each tribe contributes then the Board will consider putting them into a book along with the explanations that are found to be correct.
The Board is also undertaking a project to record the tunes of the waiata on recording machines so that the words and chants can be brought together.
[The waiata and the commentaries and English translations were later published in Part One of Nga Moteatea and are to be found there. – Barry Olsen.
1. Kia tapu hoki koe na Tuariki. pp. 2-7
2. Tera ia nga pikitanga Tipare o Niu. pp. 8-11
3. Tera te uira e hiko i te rangi. pp. 12-17]
No comments:
Post a Comment