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Proceedings of of the Kohimarama Conference, Comprising Nos. 13 to 18 of the "Maori Messenger."
Reply from Ngatiporou. No. 2
Reply from Ngatiporou. No. 2.
Friend, the Governor,—
Salutations to you! We will speak our sentiments to you. Ours is a district which is forgotten by the Governor. This is why we say it is forgotten. No Governor has yet visited our district—the East Cape—up to your time. Now we think that you should visit all those whom our Queen has sent you to protect.
Friend, the Governor,—Your friend the Bishop does visit us, but you are very remiss in not visiting us, inasmuch as you are our protector and benefactor.
Friend, the Governor,—This is our word with reference to the Maori King. If white and black agree, it is right, but if it is left for black alone it will not stand. Enough of that.
Friend, the Governor,—We are all under the sovereignty of the Queen, but there are also other authorities over us sanctioned by God and the Queen, namely, our Ministers.
O, mother, the Queen,—We salute you! We have come hither in obedience to your call: at all events we have heard your words which will be something to carry back to the South to our tribe, the Ngatiporou.
Friend, we are engaged in only one work, and that is teaching our people to live as they ought and in conformity with the precepts of Christianity. This is one thing: sickness has interfered with our giving that attention to the Governor's address which would probably have made it clear to us had we been well.
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Friend, the Governor,—We do not consent to the Maori King. Leave their King to themselves. With respect to the war between the Governor and William King, it must be left to them to finish what they have begun. Those subjects also are ended.
Friend, the Governor,—Is it by your authority that the European traders of our district refuse to give money for our produce, or is it by their own? Our greatest inconvenience is in not having money for our collections for our Ministers,—for they refuse to give us money. We are very much dissatisfied with the Pakehas of our place.
Friend, the Governor,—It is for you to consider my words favourably even as I have obeyed your call to me.
Friend, the Governor. Salutations to you and to our gracious Queen. These are all my words to you.
From Wiremu,
From Wikiriwhi Matehenoa, (of Wharekahika.)