Te Toa Takitini 48

[253]  TE TOA TAKITINI

Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.

Number 48, Hastings, 1st July, 1925.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO ATTEND THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE,

When the Hui of the Maori Section of the Church of England was held in Rotorua, the members of the Hui were invited by Te Arawa to Ohinemutu on Wednesday, 24th June. There the remnant of the elders stood to welcome the Archbishop from Auckland, the Bishop of Waiapu, and the ministers, both Pakeha and Maori.

 

After the greetings, Taiporutu stood to tell the gathering of the  decision of the Te Arawa Lakes Board to make a presentation to them for the work of the faith. The Board has decided to present £50 a year as a scholarship to support a Te Arawa man at St John’s Theological College, Tamaki, Auckland. The Board leaves it to the Bishop to name the young man who will receive this money.

 

After the money was laid down, the Bishop stood to thank the Te Arawa Board for this noble and generous thought on the part of the members of the Board. It was not him alone who was expressing gratitude but, when it becomes known, the whole Church will be [?humere – sic  ?grateful]. Congratulations to the Te Arawa Board. In blessing the work of the Church of God you also will be blessed.

 

THE CHAMPION WRESTLER.

 

There was a match between Ihakara Rapana [Ike Robins] and a Pakeha by the name of Clarke for the title of New Zealand and Australian Champion. After fifteen minutes the Pakeha was defeated and the Maori has now become champion in this sport. On 3rd July Ihakara goes to Melbourne. There he will meet the American champion. It has been arranged to coincide with the visit of the American warships to Melbourne and will be fought for the title of New Zealand and Australian Champion. Ihakara is a lay-reader at Te Kohupatiki here in Heretaunga. This is the tribe’s farewell song for him.

               Kore au e pai, te rongo take kore,

               Engari rongo toa, ka ara tonu au e!

               Ki mai e [?I] kaore he aroha

               Kei roto i te iwi e takawiri ana e.

 

               I don’t want fame when there is no reason for it,

               But I exult when courage is involved!

               I say that there is no love lost

            [?When bones are twisting together.]

 

Published by the Rev F A Bennett and printed by Cliff Press, Queen Street, Hastings, HB.

 

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TE TOA TAKITINI

Registered at the GPO as a Newspaper.

The price of the paper is 10/-  year.

Address letters to ‘Te Toa Takitini,’ Box 300, Hastings.

Te Toa Takitini, 1st July, 1925.

 

THE CHURCH HUI TO CONSIDER THE MAORI SECTION.

 

On 23rd-24th June, a hui was held at Rotorua to discuss the work of the Maori Church. Te Toa Takitini (Number 15, p. 218) explained why the General Synod in Dunedin last February set up this Committee.

 

The following people were selected for this meeting: the Archbishop of New Zealand, the Bishop of Waiapu, the Bishop of Wellington (business prevented him from attending), four Archdeacons – Herbert Williams, Hawkins, Chatterton and Simkin, the Pakeha ministers – MacWilliams, W G Williams, and Canon Arthur Williams. The Maori Ministers were:

Diocese of Auckland: Canon W Keretene (Kamo, Whangarei), K T Harawira (Waimate North), Hori Raiti (Huntly), W Panapa (Te Kuiti).

Diocese of Waiapu: Pine Tamahori (Ngati Porou), Peni Hakiwai (Ngati Kahungunu), Fred Bennett (Hastings and Te Arawa).

Diocese of Wellington: Temuera Tokoaitua (Otaki), P H Renata [Leonard] (Marton).

The Archbishop chaired the meeting.

 

After prayers, two secretaries were appointed, MacWilliams for the English contributions and Bennett for the Maori.

 

The Archbishop stood to greet the members of this hui. These are some of his words: ‘I thank all of you who have come to this hui and I aske you to be honest and clear in the discussion of the matters before you. If we deal well with the matters the General Synod has asked us to discuss then this will be a very important hui.

 

The first matter, the important one for this hui, is to seek ways in which the Church can give Maori the power to manage the work 0f the Church among the Maori People. We in the Diocese of Auckland have begun work on this project. Maori have their own Standing Committee in my Diocese and all matters relating to the Maori Church including the placement of Ministers are delegated to that

 

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Standing Committee of Maori who have been elected and appointed. When Bishop Azariah of India came to New Zealand People’s thoughts turned to having a separate Bishop for Maori. But the situation of Bishop Azariah is different. He is Bishop of the diocese of the Province of India known as Dornakal. Whether they are Europeans or of other races, he is their Bishop. New Zealand is different. There is no Diocese of New Zealand inhabited only by Maori of which it can be said that this is the Maori Diocese. Were a Bishop appointed for the Maori he would have no place for his feet, a place of his own, instead he would travel around the dioceses of Pakeha Bishops. However, let us make every effort to find ways in which we will not be constrained by the law. We have got to the peak from which we can see clearly what lies ahead. This is the day when the Maori Church begins to take a broad view of the great work that lies before us. This is the day for the Maori People to gird themselves up. It is for you Maori to determine the advantages and disadvantages of the Maori People living a separate existence. Some are in Auckland Diocese, some in Waiapu and some in Wellington. You live apart. A Diocese does not know what is happening and what is being done in another Diocese. It is for you to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of uniting the Missionary Church amongst the Maori People.

 

The second matter concerns Ratana’s Church. I shall not speak at length on this matter. I have heard that Ratana has set up a separate Church for Maori who follow his teachings, I am sad at his. I have looked back over the work of Ratana from when he asked people to sign his covenant. On the occasion of the first signing the Bishops did not scold the members of the Church but rather encouraged the good things that were being done at that time. Subsequently Ratana, or perhaps his associates or his committees, has extended his ideas to include the election of members of Parliament, going to the Japanese and other nations of the world, and now the setting-up of a separate Church and is urging the placing of the name of the angels alongside that of the Holy Trinity. I have instructed my Ministers that, if it is true that the name of the angels is being added to that of the Holy Trinity in the Baptism Service, they are to oppose Ratana’s Church, because that is not the teaching of Christ. The words of Christ are clear when he said, ‘Baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.’ [Matthew 28.19] Christ did not add the name of the angels. I am very sad that by what he is doing Ratana is leading people astray. This has becom e a cause of division among you, the Maori People. But, take heart. Be firm lest you be shaken. Even though you lose some of your flock, don’t be distressed. Rather it is for you to be loyal to the teachings of Christ. The time will come when some of them will return. But if someone forsakes our Church, if they first show a penitent

 

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and sorrowful heart then they are permitted to return, and the Bishops will prepare a service for them, enabling them to return to the Church.

 

The Bishop of Waiapu and the Ministers spoke in support of the Archbishop’s address.

 

Two Committees.

 

Two Committees were appointed to look into these matters. The committee to deal with the issue of the management of the Maori Church consists of Maori. Pakeha will deal with the matter of Ratana’s Church.

 

This is the report of the Committee chosen to lay down guidance concerning Ratana’s Church.

 

The Report on the Ratana Church.

 

(Translated into Maori by Archdeacon Herbert Williams.)

 

The Committee carefully considered the following matters.

 

1.      The practice has been laid down, with the approval of Ratana, that Ratana’s followers should leave their own Churches.

2.     Ratana’s representatives are going about urging Maori to sign a paper saying that they agree to that thing, i.e. to leaving the Church and giving their allegiance to the body known as the Church of Ratana.

3.     One basic rule of that Church of Ratana is the naming of the faithful angels alongside the Holy Trinity.

4.     They contend that this should be the formula pronounced at the baptism of children, which goes against the instruction of our Lord and the practice of all parts of the catholic Church.

5.     Some are now saying that they do not want our ministers as their ministers if they will not use those wrong words when children are baptised or in other services. The Committee asks this Hui to request the Bishops to prepare a clear statement for the Ministers to guide them in this difficult situation.

 

Here are some matters for them to discuss.

 

1.      If a person signs that document of consent carried by Ratana’s messengers, is he doing wrong and does it separate him from the Church of Christ?

2.     Is it wrong for a Minister to read the services of the Church – the Holy Communion, the Marriage Service, the Burial of the Dead – for such people?

3.     If a Ratana minister of one of his workers baptises that is not a Christian baptism because the formula is different from that commanded by Christ when he said, ‘Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.’ (Matthew 28.19-20)

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4.     Although it is a good thing that those who have strayed should be able to return to the Church, it is not appropriate that the Minister allow this on his own authority; rather it is for the Bishop to prescribe the pathway for a penitent person.

5.     If a person has been baptised according to Ratana practice only and wishes to join the Church, the Minister should first seek the Bishop’s guidance and then baptise that person.

6.     If a lay reader joins Ratana’s Church he should immediately cease taking services in the Church; his licence will be cancelled and his badge of office is to be returned.

7.      The Committee believes that it would be good if all faithful members of the Church signed the affirmation prepared by the General Synod for the people of the Church and that that document be seen as the basis for Church membership.

8.     That that explanatory document be sent by the Bishop to the Ministers and all the faithful members of the Church, and that the Minister teach the people the doctrines of the Church and by doing so he will confirm the faith of the Church people and combat the false teachings of Ratana.

 

A final thing: that what the Church is doing should be made known to the Leaders of the Wesleyan and Presbyterian Churches and that they be asked what they are doing to combat false teaching.

 

THE DEDICATION OF THE WHAREKAHIKA WHARF.

 

T Wi Repa MB, ChB

 

On Tuesday, 14th April the new wharf at Wharekahika was dedicated, It has taken nearly two years to build that wharf. The foundations are of concrete and iron. The contract with the man who built it was £8,000. The man who built it was C H McCracken, a half-caste Maori from the Kawhia area of Waikato. The engineers who designed it, who drew up the plans, were Mr Lee of the Company of Messrs Blair, Mason, Lee, and Mr Owen, formerly of new Paremata, now of Auckland. This man, McCracken is someone who does his work well and carefully, and without dishonesty. He has but one concern, only to do his work to the best of his ability. There is no trickery, no bad workmanship, no doing things in a hurry to speed up the completion, and he is being well-paid for it. That man provides a good example of fine workmanship. Mr Lee praised McCracken for completing the work according to the contract. One of the features of contracts is the appointment of a ‘Clerk of Works’ to supervise the contractor lest he engages in deceitful practices and does not fulfil the words of the agreement. With this man, no Clerk was appointed to supervise him because the River Board and the engineer, Mr Lee,

 

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knew that this was not a crooked man and would not be tempted to do shoddy work. The Pakeha have a saying: ‘If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well.’ And Scripture says: ‘May you be blessed with an honest servant.’ [cf Proverbs 14.35]

 

Where is Wharekahika?

 

This is the block of Ngati Porou territory adjacent to the Te Whanau-a-Apanui area. The river that flows through that block is the Wharekahika. The bay of the sea taTken in by that block is also Wharekahika. This story is about that Wharekahika Bay. It is a fine river. It encloses the area to the south, the west and the east. The captains of the ships that meander to this area say that it is the best river port on the east coast between Auckland and Wellington. The wharf that has been built here is for tying up ships. The river is close to East Cape. What Apirana Ngata wrote in the April Te Toa Takitini is true: ‘Waiapu remains in ignorance of news from Aotearoa.’ This river is a slit in the eastern fin of Maui’s fish [Te Ika-a-Maui]. A wharf was built costing £8,000, at which ships can tie up. It was a sign that the barrier that kept Waiapu in the dark has been removed so that the light shines upon it. The cloak of Waimahuru has been untied. [cf Nga Pepeha 60] Te Pokiha Taranui uttered the proverb:

               Haramai te Kiwi, haramai te weka: whakaputa ki te ao marama!

               Come, Kiwi, come Weka. Come into the world of light and life!

This was the welcome given to Tuhoe when they came to Maketu.

 

At last the country’s travellers will turn aside to see us so that it will not be long before we are seen by aeroplanes, and carried by [?te pairi] and joined to Japan.

 

The Hui on the New Wharf.

 

The Hicks Bay Harbour Board put on a celebration of the Dedication of this asset for the Maori of Wharekahika and to welcome the visitors. Nearly 2000 people from the Tai Rawhiti came. Te Koronehe Te Kopuka, grandson of Te Rangimatemoana, and his relation, Enoka Te Rukuata, called down the dread, the power and the sacredness of the Ancient World upon this treasure of the New World. Apirana Ngata and ’Te Wiwi’ led on the company of people. The orators of the New World came – Reweti and Poihipi Kohere, Pine Tamahori, Hatara Te Awarau, Renata Tamepo, and many others. There was no lack of Pakeha: ‘Like shoals of whitebait on the night of Omutu.’ K S Williams MP came with his family. There were the heads of the area Councils and the representatives of the Gisborne Chamber of Commerce. Before the dedication of the wharf, Te Potene Tuhiwai and his son, Tipuwai Houkamau, the elders of the village, stood to greet those who arrived.

 

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The local people’s stomachs were gratified by the huge number of people. Although you went short of food, Ngati Porou, you can economise. When we gathered the various groups met on our bridge as they came and went. This was not the bridge to get to Japan.

 

The Wharf is Dedicated as ‘Hinemaurea.’

 

The Honourable Apirana Ngata MP, member for the Tai Rawhiti dedicated the wharf with Tangaroa in mind. I report most of his speech. He announced that the name of this treasure is ‘Hinemaurea.’ Then he recited some genealogies. ‘Hinemaurea’ is an ancestral name amongst Ngati Porou, It is unlikely that a person is not aware of that ancestor.

                                                            Hinemaurea  =  Te Ao-taki

                                                                           |

                                                            Ruataupare   =  Tuwhakairiora

 

From this union come all the chiefs of Ngati Porou: Te Kani-a-Takirau, Rangimatemoana, Te Houkamau, Te Rukuata, Rapata Wahawaha, Te Mokena Kohere, Te Haenga, Paratene Ngata, Apirana Ngata, severally, and those of us below them as well.

 

After his speech, Apirana called upon the wife of the Chairman of the Harbour Board, Mrs W Metcalfe, to smash the bottle of [wai-tohi – ceremonial water] against this treasure. That drink was champagne – the drink that gives pleasure to kings.

 

LETTERS RECEIVED.

 

To the Editor,

 

Box 26, Matangi, Waikato.

28th April, 1925.

 

To Te Toa. Sir, I thank you for travelling around the country – to the West, to the South, to the East and to the North, even to the valley of the River Waikato. Therefore, my heart was stirred to greet you who carry here the news of the country. Toa, greetings.

 

Nevertheless, it may well be the wrong time to write this letter to send to you, the  time when a person is still alive or the time he has gone, when his body has been laid amongst his people. We have come to a person’s end; it is as the words of guidance say, ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.’ [Matthew 24.35] So these sayings apply to him in that the heavenly part of him will be there while the earthly part will remain lying in the earth, but what he has said remains always.

 

While Paratene Ngata was alive there was not a day, a week or a month when he did not think of me or I of him. It was you, Toa, who revealed his thinking to me. I did not speak with him

 

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as it was my intention to visit him. It has been left to you, Te Toa Takitini, to carry his thoughts after him. His last question to me was whether Mahuta had said anything about his position in Parliament when he vacated it, or not. Had he said any final word? This office is open to Te Rata. We had not finished this discussion. He died. When he died I thought to write my tribute to him while he was being mourned by his people. However my hearty spoke within me and asked how one writes a tribute to such a man. Because there would be other tributes, expressions of sorrow, and farewells from his many tribes, from the chiefs, the authorities, and his many descendants throughout the country. Therefore, it was appropriate that the tributes and farewells should be delivered for all of us by his people on the marae where he was lying. It is right that this lament be sung for him: Here it is.

 

               Tainui there, and Te Arawa, Mataatua, Kurahaupo, Tokomaru

               Embarked on the ocean

               And went around the headland at Hawaiki called Takitumu.

               It was night at Rangipo and Aotea was in the ocean,

               The canoes of the rainbow, Uenuku, clung to the sky.

               Who will overcome your canoes floating here,

               Which have sailed the deep ocean,

The dark-green ocean, the great ocean of Kiwa?

There is no refuge, no light.

As you are no longer in this world.

 

My friend, Toa, at the time when I was wanting write these unimportant words I came across some of your treasures in your bundle which you carried to your marae throughout the country. It was on page 148 of Te Toa Takitini for 1st December, 1924. I was surprised and very happy. Because I had heard nothing I assumed that Paratene had died among his people, and now I knew that he was still alive. It contained his last words: ‘Are these the correct words in this article or not?’

 

I want to answer this question. My friend, Paratene, greetings. It is right that you should leave these articles as your last words – the words from England about the Petition of your fellow chiefs, the Chiefly Elders of the Country who now stand in the next world, Tawhiao Potatau, Topia Turoa, Hori Ropiha, Meiha Te Wheoro and Patara Te Tuhi.

 

My friend, you perhaps were the only person left who understood all those stories. However, may I venture to enter your discussion and answer that final question?

 

Yes, I have found the place I sought. (1) There is support from the notice agreed below, Nothing is missing or wrong. (2) What you did, people, was you made closely woven kits when the [?konga sic ?kanga -  corn] was plentiful.

 

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There are no other places I have found where I would wish to complete things. Thoughtful people will understand. (See Te Toa Takitini, December, page 149,)

 

Count down from the above line eleven lines. There it says, ‘Although there is no part which approves of the …..’ The correct version should be, ‘Although there is no part which relates to the …..’

 

The second part. Look at page 157 at the final word of Lord Justice [Hira] which was ‘That’s that.’ [Heoi ano] The correct version is ‘England is far away.’ [Hoi ana a Ingarangi.] Here I end what I wanted to say in response to the question.

 

Greetings, Toa. I send these few infantile words in response to the question to which an answer was desired. It is for the man who does your work to correct it and to send you off to your marae. He will carry it to the places where people are exasperated with him. There are indeed people like that. No problem. Best wishes in the Lord.

 

Greetings to you, Editor, and to your colleagues wh0 run this treasure. May the Heavenly Father protect and bless us all. Amen!

 

Te Kiwi Amohau.

 

Takaka

 

Ohinemutu,

23rd June, 1925.

 

Greetings. On page 169, Number 42 (January) of Te Toa Takitini there is a letter written by our friend J C Anderson in which he asks if the game in which sticks in a bundle are allowed to fall and are then separated out is an ancient Maori game. I am waiting for someone to answer that question. However, since it has been a while since it was asked, here is my answer: Yes, this is a Maori game. The Maori name for it is ‘Takaka.’ This was an established game with Maori in former times. I saw this game being played when I was a child. I am now perhaps 70. This was one of our entertainments in the days of the old people.

 

Te Kiwi Amohau.

 

THE VILLAGE TEACHER

 

R[eweti] T K[ohere]

 

Many people have appreciated my renditions into Maori of the stories of Oliver     

Goldsmith about the Village Parson: Manu [W W Bird} has asked me to translate the account of the Village Schoolteacher. Goldsmith wrote this story concerning the Village Schoolteacher, a story learned by heart by school children.

 

I explained in Number 35 the purpose of Goldsmith’s poem; how it was his lament, his dirge, for his people, for his departed family. The land had been taken by a rich man, and Goldsmith wrote:

               Only one master grasps the whole domain.

 

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Goldsmith grieved over the clearings where his people laboured and over the sites of their houses – the site of his father’s house (he was the village parson) and that of the school where he was taught by the village schoolteacher.

 

THE VILLAGE SCHOOL MASTER

 

Beside yon straggling fence that skirts the way,

With blossomed furze unprofitably gay –

There, in his noisy mansion, skilled to rule,

The village master taught his little school.

A man severe he was, and stern to view –

I knew him well, and every truant knew;

Well had the boding tremblers learned to trace

The day’s disasters in his morning face;

Full well they laughed with counterfeited glee

At all his jokes, for many a joke had he;

Full well the busy whisper, circling round,

Conveyed the dismal tidings when he frowned.

Yet he was kind, or if severe in aught,

The love he bore to learning was in fault.

The village all declared how much he knew;

‘Twas certain he could write, and cipher too;

Lands he could measure, terms and tides presage,

And even the story ran that he could gauge;

In arguing, too, the parson owned his skill,

For e’en though vanquished, he could argue still;

While words of learned length and thund’ring sound

Amazed the gazing rustics ranged around;

And still they gazed, and still the wonder grew

That one small head could carry all he knew.

But past is all his fame – the very spot

Where many a time he triumphed is forgot.

 

Explanatory Notes [to the Maori text].

 

1 Pae-ra-uta  [translated here as ‘village’] - Living in small villages; not close to large towns or to gatherings of people.

2 Whare turituri – Because of the rowdiness of the children.

3 I mohiotia – Because they were punished for running away from school.

4 Nga aitua – When the teacher appeared to be in a bad mood in the morning the children knew that they would be punished in the course of the day.

5 He kata maminga – Although the children did not want to laugh, because they were afraid that the teacher would be upset with them they feigned a laugh.

6 Te minita – This is the village parson spoken of in Number 35.

7 Ka totohe tonu – You have met people who are argumentative. I know a man who is like the village teacher. He is a Mormon. Although the conversation has nothing to do with him he ‘puts in his spoke.’ And even though he is defeated he goes on arguing, and elaborates on his argument.

8 Kua warewaretia – Goldsmith’s story is like that of some Maori hapu of which one can rightly say that they have disappeared and the place where one would have heard of them has been forgotten. In its day it was a strong hapu, a brave hapu, a hapu with chiefs, and, at the time of the Hauhau wars, a loyal hapu. During the war in Europe their grandchildren were strewn over the ground. Because of the power of their chief the Hauhau lands were not confiscated by the Government. Decisions of the Maori Land Court

 

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gave the lands of this and other hapu to the Hauhau. The fortified pa of their ancestors and their three burial grounds were all taken. They now have no land on this earth; in these days they cannot rightly call themselves a hapu; they have no place they can call their own to stand upon [turanga waewae]. Their descendants are justified in weeping with Goldsmith:

               But past is all his fame – the very spot

               Where many a time he triumphed is forgot.

 

This article is not very long so perhaps there is space for me to reproduce Goldsmith’s account of his teacher for the children to see in the ‘unintelligible language’ [English] alongside the Maori version.

 

[Tempted as I was to do a back-translation of Kohere’s version, I used Goldsmith’s original version which Kohere included at the end of his article. -  Barry Olsen]

 

THE MAORI SCHOOLS

 

W W Bird MA

 

(Translated into Maori by H Poananga LLB.)

 

The running of Maori schools in former times was different from how they are run now. In those days it was the ministers and missionaries who taught and educated Maori. Maori helped with the running of the schools and gave land to help the schools in their districts.

 

When Maori schools began many people would gather in the one place; they were taught in their own language and given food and clothing. It was a very demanding procedure.

 

Under the provisions of the ‘Native Schools Act, 1858,’ £7000 a year was allocated to support schools teaching the Maori People, both elders and children. That money was provided each year for seven years.

 

The money was given each time to those running those schools. The amount was not less than £5 or more than £10 for each person being taught.

 

The English language and other technical skills were taught in those schools supported by the Government.

 

In 1867 it was realised that the schools were not thriving under the regulations laid down. In that year amendments were made to the Native Schools Act. Under that Act District Schools were set up with Committees to manage them and money was provided to build schools and to pay teachers. It was also prescribed that the teaching and the [rotu] be in English.

 

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 only after 1871 did the Maori schools make strong progress. In that year the ‘Native Schools Act’ was passed. The provisions of that Act were as follows:

 

First, that schools were to be set up in places where there were large populations and where there were no troubles.

 

Second, that pupils were to be taught in English except in those areas where there were no Pakeha teachers.

 

Third, that Maori would run those schools with the help of Pakeha who wished to participate in the work of the Committee.

 

Fourth, that Maori would contribute to the expenses of the school and the payment of the teachers. The portion they are to pay is to be arranged.

 

Fifth, inspectors are to be appointed for those schools.

 

Under this Act, the Minister of Maori Affairs appoints Sir Donald McLean and A H Russell as inspectors of Maori schools.

 

Under these arrangements the following schools are named, being at present in existence: Tokomaru Bay, Tuparoa, Waiomatatini, Matata, Rotoiti, Ohaeawai, Kaikohe, Waima, Pukepoto, Ahipara, Hapua – and it can be seen in the accounts and the records of these schools that the people strongly supported these schools in the past and their children aere now seeing the fruits of the seeds their parents planted.

 

In 1874 the total amount spent on Maori schools was £12,000.

 

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There was no syllabus laid down to indicate what should be taught but each teacher taught as he saw fit. The subjects taught were English, reading, writing and geography.

 

The school buildings were not very good, nor were the furnishings. Pupils were not regular in their attendance. But despite these things, great benefits came to the Maori People through these schools.

 

This is the report of the Inspector for the Hokianga District:

 

‘It is widely known that much good has come to the Maori of the Northern area through the Maori schools, and what they have done has diminished the conflict between the two peoples. One sees evidence of this situation if one looks at how well they live together and observe the laws. This is not the case with other hapu. For the past eight or nine years no troubles have arisen. It is appropriate to note that the total number of Ngapuhi and Te Rarawa is 7000. I believe that this happy co-existence is the result of the teaching in the Maori schools where Maori have learned Pakeha ways and are now seeking to learn those ways.’

 

I explain how things are done in these days, it is appropriate that I quote the final report of the Inspector of Maori Schools:

 

‘It should be realised that a new approach is needed to set up the path from the old world to the new world. New schools should be set up amongst the tribes with Pakeha teachers to give instruction in the right ways. This is the policy at this time when Maori schools are being brought under the authority of the Department of Education. These are the words of that Department: (1) The way of running Maori schools was different before they came under the management of this Department. (2) Although there have been many difficulties, those running them have worked hard to bring into line and improve their Maori schools.’

 

When the Maori schools came under the jurisdiction of the Maori Schools Department the aim was to give Maori a broad education. In 1879 the Maori Department ceased to have authority over those schools and they were transferred to the Department for Education. At that time a fixed syllabus was put in place for the students.

 

The Native Schools [Sites] Act, 1880, enabled the setting up of schools with their teachers and set down how they are to be run and the syllabus to be taught. [This Act does not cover all these matters. – Barry Olsen] The syllabus includes the English language, reading, writing, geography, arithmetic and, for the girls, sewing. There are to be specialist teachers and the salary is between £80 and £225 a year.

 

Under these arrangements James H Pope was appointed as Inspector and Examiner. Because of his illness he is unable to be present with us here. He worked for twenty-five years for the Maori schools and I believe it is because of his diligence and his love for the Maori People that we see the benefits resulting from the teaching; this is evidence that the exertions and work of Mr Pope amongst the people have borne fruit.

 

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He taught for many years, and was knowledgeable about a broad range of subjects and noble customs, and when he was appointed Inspector he made every effort to achieve what he was chosen to do. Although he had to cope with many difficulties and bear heavy burdens his determination did not falter, and therefore he was loved by Maori and they called him ‘father.’

 

Because of his good work and his kindness, Maori embraced the Maori schools and most of the children attended. In 1879 the number of children attending school was 1042, in 1881 there were 2010, with 1562 children starting each year.

 

In 1903 Mr Pope retired, but what he achieved is a permanent memorial which will not fade away. In those times there were 50 schools. The buildings were small and not well-able to cope with storms and gales. Now there are 101 schools in good buildings. In the beginning nearly 1000 children were bei ng taught; now that has risen to 3693. In those times they came low down in the list of examination results, they carried about their books and slates, their clothes were different and they had brass buttons on their coats. Later some have been able to get degrees and are able to wear the gowns of the University of New Zealand.

 

Although Mr Pope has not been able to be with us now, his name will not be forgotten. Indeed, his name has been applied to later Inspectors and Examiners so that they are called ‘Mr Pope.’

 

There is another person swho has assisted Mr Pope in his work, H B Kirk, who is now  one of the Professors at Victoria (University) College. He assisted Mr Pope for eighteen years. Although he has been elevated to lofty spheres of learning he still thinks about the running of Maori schools.

 

THE COMMISSION OF ENQUIRY INTO MAORI LAND CLAIMS.

 

The Report presented to Parliament on 21st March, 1921.

 

4. The Board of the Office of the Maori Trustee.

 

The Explanations.

 

1. The Trust Board of the Te Arawa District.

 

This Board was set up in fulfilment of the Government promise at the time of the conclusion of the agreement between the Government and Te Arawa concerning the Lakes in the Te Arawa area. A summary of the arrangements between the Government and Te Arawa follows:

 

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(a)  The authority over the lakes is given to the Crown. But the islands within the lakes are reserved for the Maori.

(b)  The burial grounds on those islands and on the shores of … (some of the words on the copy are missing) the Maori Land Court has power to appoint Trustees for those burial grounds.

(c)  Maori have the right to fish in those lakes, except for fish brought in by the Pakeha. It is forbidden to sell such fish.

(d) A Board is to be set up for Rotokakahi and for related purposes.

(e)  A Fund is set up for the support of Te Arawa people and their descendants.

 

The laws passed to enable the implementation of these arrangements are Section 27/1922/48, Sections 13 & 14/1923/32, and Sections 15 & 16/1924/45.

 

The powers of the Board have been set down in the regulations made under Section 17 of the 1922 Act, Number 48.

 

The Members of the Te Arawa Trust Board were appointed by the Hapu of Te Arawa at the Hui held at Whakarewarewa on 27th March, 1923. This was attended by the Chief Justice and the Head of the Maori Affairs Department.

 

2. The Board to enquire into the stories and the practices of the Maori People

     In former times.

 

The Government saw how necessary it was to set up this Board to gather together the stories and the practices of Maori in former times. In order to give authority to that Board, Section 9 of the 1923 Act/Number 32 was written and passed.

 

This section is as follows: The purpose of this Board is to look into the activities, the language, the customs and the stories of the Maori People and the peoples of Hawaiki in former times. The Regulations setting up that Board and giving it power to act were made on 8th October, 1923. These are the Members of the Board: The Hon Joseph Gordon Coates, MP (Chairman), the Hon Sir Maui Pomare, MP,  the Hon Apirana Turupa Ngata, MP, Tau Henare, MP, Henare Wharewhiti Uru, MP, Hemi Hirirpa, Archdeacon Herbert Williams, Dr Te Rangihiroa, Hare Teweniti Kina.

 

3. The Board to manage the Maori Purposes Fund,

 

This Board was set up under Section 3 of the 1924 Act / Number 45. The money in this fund is unallotted interest in the hands of the Board. The Government has set up this Fund in fulfilment of their desire to benefit the Maori People. The purpose of this Fund is to assist in works which will advance the learning of Maori children which will sustain them in times to come. The object of this Fund is to provide

 

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Maori children with technical education or with scholarships to enable them to enter the country’s universities so that our children may have an education comparable with that given to Pakeha children. The membership of the Board is as follows: The Hon Joseph Gordon Coates, MP (Chairman), the Hon Sir Maui Pomare, MP, the Hon Apirana Turupa Ngata, MP, Tau Henare, MP, Henare Wharewhiti Uru, MP, Ropata Nopera Tione (Deputy Chairman), John Caughley, K S Williams, MP, Dr Te Rangihiroa (Dr P H Buck), Rev F A Bennett.

 

(To be continued.)

 

A NOTICE FROM TE TOA TAKITINI.

 

The Editor apologizes for the late arrival of this edition of your paper. The Editor was busy with the Church Hui at Rotorua, and when that finished he went straight to Wellington for the meeting of the Maori Purposes Fund Board. The paper is one week late. However, the August edition will appear on 1st and 2nd. Thankyou for your kindness in sending articles and food for Te Toa.

 

HUKARERE CHAPEL.

 

These contributions from the Hastings area have been received by the Trustee in Napier.

Tuihata Arona                       1    o    0          Warihia Kirikiri            10    6

Ereti Tiopira                         1    0    0          Tukurua                     1    0    0

Meriana Taorangi                    10    6          Ruiha Hakiwai          1    0    0

 

These are the gifts from the Rotorua area received by the Bishop of Waiapu.

Ohinemutu and all Uenukukopako          50    0    0

Whakarewarewa                                          40    0    0

 

Some of the hapu of Te Arawa are making a collection. When it is assembled the gift from the Te Arawa Board will be sent. Thank you for these acts of kindness. All strength to the Old Girls of Hukarere.

 

Hukarere School has received the following contributions.

Mrs Rangi                              1    0    0          Mrs H Whakatata                1    0    0

Wairaima Rangi                   1    0    0          Mrs H Pipeer                        1    0    0

Patu Nikora                           2    0    0         Mrs L G Cooper                        10    0

Hiria Reweti                             10    0          Mrs Peihana White              1    0    0

Mrs Hae Scott                       2    0    0         Canon Pahewa                      2    2    0

Mr & Mrs Ropiha                 2    0    0         Miss Fanny Mulligan          1    0    0

Mrs Matatini                         1     0    0         Mrs Fred Hale                            5    0

Mrs Sarah Birch                   1    0    0          Mrs W Te Whata                      10    0

Mrs Fairlie                            3    3    0         Miss Ina Hutana                      10    0

Per Mrs Fairlie                                             Miss Kino Wilson                      5    0

Mrs G Piper                           1    1    o           Mrs J R Hale                         1    0    0

Mrs Cockery                          1    1    0 

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