Te Pipiwharauroa 12

Te Pipiwharauroa 12

No.12 
1899/02/01

(Maori Version on NZETC)

[1]  He Kupu Whakamarama.

[2] Nelson, February 1899 Editor Rev. F A Bennett

THE STUDENT FEDERATION by Rewiti Kohere

In the last edition of Te Pipiwharauroa there was a short article about the gathering of students held at Nelson. This is the continuation of that report. Some men in the world at present say that they are not able to believe because they are not able heartily to verify the statements of the faith. There are also some Maori, chiefs even, who despise the faith. They forget the words of Solomon: ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ [Proverbs 1.7] That is why we welcome the students who uphold the faith, while some men, out of the greatness of their knowledge, or perhaps of their property, forget the fear of the Lord.

This is the third year in which the World Student Christian Federation has met. More than 85,000 people have joined that Federation. And this is by no means all the believing students in the world. The movement began in America, crossed to England and Europe, and is now in every part of the world. Young people from India, China, Japan, from the black people of Africa and the Redskins of America, have joined. And since last year former students of Te Aute have joined. The President of this Federation is a man from Sweden, part of Europe. The Vice-President is from Japan. The Secretary is American. The Treasurer is Irish. There are eleven branches of this Federation. When these eleven branches meet together the whole world is represented. One of these branches is the New Zealand one which attended the gathering in Australia last year. The meeting of the branch was held at Sydney and was attended by Hamiora Hei and Reweti Kohere.

This year the meeting was divided in two. One meeting was held at Mornington near Melbourne, the second at Whakatu (Nelson). Seven Maori young people attended the meeting at Nelson. On the Saturday, January 14, the meeting began. The first item was a welcome from the local people. The Bishop and the Mayor of Nelson spoke words of welcome. There was no business on the Sunday but several of the visitors preached at services. Three young Maori preached. The work of the gathering resumed on the Monday. The work of the first hour was choosing the means to make known the Good News of Christ to the whole world. That of the second hour was reflection on strengthening the faith in the colleges. That of the third hour was learning from the scriptures, from the teaching given by Christ. The one expounding the scriptures was the President, William H Sallmon M.A. (Yale). People wondered at the excellence of that man’s exposition. Many people for whom formerly the scriptures had not been sweet, on hearing Sallmon, found their hearts uplifted. ‘Search the scriptures … they testify on my behalf,’ (John 5.39). There was no work after dinner until 8 o’clock but much happened – games, and entertainment such as picnics and bicycle rides, designed to revive body and spirit. In the evening a huge service was held in one of the large churches in Nelson. Everyone took part in this service. Each night the building was packed. Such was the pattern of activity each day until the end of the week. A committee was set up to consider matters concerning the Maori Church. One night, Maori and also Pakeha who know the Maori language sang the beautiful hymn, ‘Calvary’. On the last night the farewell gathering was held in the large theatre. Although it was large not everyone could get in. This was the best meeting. Many people stood to tell of the good things that had touched their hearts. The residents of Nelson were generous in blessing their visitors. [3] Most of the visitors stayed in their homes to the end of the gathering. Most people said that no gathering was ever like this one for providing good things for the body through the leisure activities, good things for the mind through the input to the brain, and good things for the soul by awakening the heart to faith. On Monday 23 the gathering broke up and each person returned to his home. They were strangers when they met but brothers when they parted. Bodily we are now separated but our hearts are united, joined by the love of Christ. My people, let us follow these students in ‘proclaiming Jesus as King.’

Te Aute College

On the first day of February Te Aute College commenced. The teachers are J Thornton Esq, H Baker, Ware P Waitai, and Weihana Teramea. There are 61 children at the college now, 27 from Ngati Porou, 8 from Ngati Kahungunu (from Turanga to Wairarapa). 6 from Ngati Raukawa, 3 from Ngapuhi, 8 from Whanganui,, 2 from Ngati Toa, 2 from Ngati Tahu, 1 from Ngati Maniapoto, 1 from Te Whanau-a-Apanui, and 8 Pakeha. But some of these children come from two tribes. Twelve new children have come. Although Ngati Porou are real Maori, they are diligent in sending their children. The wisdom of this is emerging. Other tribes must cease to be indifferent about sending their children to the school. In olden times Maoritanga was sufficient and they are heedless of Pakehatanga in these days. This must stop! Learning is the wise thing. Be prepared! These are the children who have been given the McLean money, £15 a year, for two years: Ernest Hapata, Te Aute, from Ngaitahu; Hori Kerei, Te Aute, from Te Whanau-a-Apanui; Te Mauri Mauheni, Rangitukia, from Ngati Porou; Eruera Uruamo, Kaipara, from Ngati Whatua. This is the third year children from Rangitukia, a place in Waiapu, have taken the scholarship money. Soon I shall be able to show you the value of the money and the achievements of Maori young people at the ultimate college, the University.

Te Aute College Students’ Association

On 22 February the committee of the Te Aute Students’ Association met at Taumata-o-Mihi with the object of seeking someone who will travel and promote the ideals of the Association in Maori districts, in other words, a Travelling Secretary. The committee chose Apirana Turupa Ngata MA LLB, a lawyer in Auckland for the post. Apirana agreed if it was the will of the committee. The committee’s decision was to appoint Apirana. At the commencement of his work there were many speeches about him and the principles underlying his work. Apirana will not be leaving his work as a lawyer. I have heard that his one desire is to stand as a member of Parliament some day. There is no firm decision about the venue for the fourth gathering of our Association. Some hope that it will be at Rotorua. But Te Arawa must invite us before it is possible for us to go there. Ngati Porou argue that it should be at Kawakawa. It will inevitably go to them if no other tribe will welcome us. Ngati Porou blesses every activity! What a great people! It is the fruit-laden tawa!

Reweti T Kohere

(To the schools of St Stephen’s, Waerenga Hika, Hukarere, Otaki, Raukahikatea and others: Do send us information about your school, however brief, to be carried on our small wings. - Te Pipiwharauroa.)

SOME MAORI CHILDREN

Our desire and our prayer to God is that he will raise up some young Maori people as warriors, as guides, as life givers to the Maori people, who, some say, will soon disappear from the face of the earth. Many young Maori from Te Aute, St Stephen’s, Hukarere and other of our Maori schools are not completing well their education. This is being discussed by Maori and Pakeha. We are not belittling or condemning these children. Who knows their problems, their lack of energy perhaps, when they are evilly engulfed by the enticements of the world? But we say, let us revive their hearts, and we say to them, ‘Brothers and sisters, arise, be men, be strong. Put your trust in the power of God.’ But there are other Maori young people who have worked their way up and studied. [4] We are very happy for these. Some of these young people have a burgeoning faith. They have seen the pearl of great price and the beginning of true wisdom, that is, the fear of the Lord. Everyone has heard of Apirana Ngata, how he went to university and gained the degrees of BA, MA, and LLB, and now he is set up as a fully qualified lawyer. His tribe is Ngati Porou. Hamiora Hei and Rewiti Kohere are close to completing the degree of BA. Tutere Wirepa and Peter Buck have gained sufficient learning to qualify them to enter the doctors’ school in Dunedin. With luck they hope to set up as doctors to Maori. Two Te Aute students, Teneti Tomoana and Gregor McGregor, are learning in Chemists' shops in Whanganui. Riwai Hiwinui is in the college of the Bishop of Nelson training for the ministry. He is from the same place as Perere Peneti, Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa, and is curate to one of the ministers of one of the large churches of Nelson and also minister to the Maori in the Diocese of Nelson. Aperahama Tamihere, Timutimu Tapeta, Hakaraia Pahewa, Hemi Huata and Katene Manahi, students from Te Aute, are ordained ministers now. Karaitiana Ratapu has died. Taimana Hapimana and Hare M Ruarangi who were at St Stephen’s School are now ministers. Te Tuhi, Piripi Rakena, and Hauraki Paora of Three Kings (Wesleyan) are ministers. Henare Kohere is at Whakapuaka, the home of Hemi Matenga, learning farming. Horomona Koko is working for a hard working Pakeha in Hastings. Ware Waitai and Weihana Teramia are the Maori teachers at Te Aute this year. It is our hearts’ desire to have Maori teaching in some of the Maori schools. Rihi Poata and Tirita Ratima are young Maori women teaching school. Many are in office work. Some are half-caste Pakeha. W Prentice is in Napier, Tirongo Paora in Hauraki, Huia, Akarana Hori, and Emera in Auckland, John Thomson in Auckland, Tamehana Peta in Hastings. Hori Hotene in Whakatane is a blacksmith. J Papakakura and J Cassidy are in iron smelting in Onehunga. Ben Marshall and W Morgan are carpenters. Alfred Butt is a printer with one of the Auckland newspapers. Hemi Thorpe is a land surveyor. Three young Maori women are working in the hospitals. The child  of Renata Tangata of Ngapuhi is the best known. She is in the main Auckland Hospital. Two are working in the main Napier Hospital. This is an excellent thing for young Maori women to learn, how to care for the sick. Many Maori are ill, not because they have no medicine but because of the ignorance of their carers. Tamati Poutawera was a young Maori who used well his education. For many years he was at the Maori Land Court in Wellington. He acted as translator at some sittings of the Maori Land Court. He was from Ngapuhi. He was a person highly regarded by the Pakeha of Wellington. Our hearts were saddened by his death in 1897.

The reason we are demonstrating the achievements of these young people is not to boast or to praise this or that school. No! But it is to demonstrate to Maori that they should make every effort to send their children to school. Maori will survive through education and faith. We also do not want to belittle those young people whose names we have not mentioned. Many Maori young people are raising livestock, working on farms and doing other kinds of work to support themselves. We don’t know all their names. However treasure these young people and their application, and apply yourselves to sending your children to school. Use all your sinews in seeking [the best] life for them. And a final word from us to all our friends who have supplied the names – a word from the Scriptures: ‘And the things you find to do, do heartily as to the Lord, and not as if to men.’ [Colossians 3.23] People, great and small, you have heard about the learning of these young people, but do not be sad at heart at your not having gained this Pakeha knowledge which these young people have gained. There is a greater wisdom which can be attained by all people, whoever the person. This wisdom is that which is called by Christ ‘eternal life’. ‘This is eternal life, that they should know you … and also Jesus Christ …’ (John 17.8) And this wisdom is not gained from this world’s learning but from the meek heart. ‘At that time Jesus stood up and say, “Praise to you Father, [5] Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to infants” [Matthew 11.25].’ ‘People, learning is good as are the advantages of this world, but without the knowledge of God all these things are phoney.’ ‘What good does it do a person if he gains the whole world but has no life?’ [Matthew 16.26] Nothing at all! No good at all!

(Rewiti T Kohere submitted this.)

THE MAORI OF MOTUEKA HAVE A FETE

On 3rd February the Maori of Motueka held a Fete. At the fete both Maori and Pakeha things were sold, and there were speeches, an exhibition of photographs, and Maori hymns and Pakeha songs. The money raised by this effort was given to help the Lord’s work in the Maori Church, and to feed our ‘Bird’. The Maori of Motueka were delighted at the arrival of Miss Keith, Miss Williams and the young men from Te Aute at the end of their gathering in Nelson to support their efforts. The sale goods were suspended on a tree along with the prices of each item. The photographs and Bennett’s talk were about Maori canoes and carving. The songs and hymns were provided by the young men from Te Aute. The money raised that night was £12 6s. Although it was a small occasion it was blessed by God. So, people, be strong in seeking means whereby the Maori people will come to understanding and God be glorified by all people.

 Te Aute, Napier, 
11th March, 1899

To Ngapuhi and all the Maori People of the Diocese of Auckland.

My friends,

When I saw the account of the money to provide for your ministers, I felt pity at how little money there is. It is as if you are still back in the days of our ancestors who funded this work, and not in the present generation. In one district the interest on £100 is £10 a year and increasing. In this place the interest has gone up to £4 10s a year for every £100. Who can now live on this? So, this is my challenge to you to set about collecting money to increase the funds held by your parishes and for some other work of the Church. I want you to increase the £2000 I shall give you by an additional £1000. The work will not be completely sustained by this money, however, it is a beginning and it remains for us to be committed to this work. My friends, the land of this island is almost consumed through being sold by you to provide yourselves with food, but you do not have the habit of giving for the work of the Creator of mankind and the world.

From your loving friend, 
Williams, Archdeacon. 

Gisborne, 
February 24th, 1899.

To the Editor

My friend, here is a point to be pondered by you, the readers of this newspaper. Take it in carefully and do not lose its insight. It is this: In former times a woman gave birth to her child in this land of ours and she cared for it in its infancy, suckling it and loving it greatly. Then when the child grew teeth it began to bite the breast of its mother who had raised it. Who is this mother? Who is this mother? Who is the thoughtless child? 

H. Peka

ASSORTED WRITINGS

We have heard the farewell cries of our pet, Te Pipiwharauroa. Its song screeches out even though we are nearing winter. Our fervent wish is that its wings may grow on the fruit of the seeds, that is on the gentleness of heart of those people who send us tokens of love. £12 6s 0d was the fruit of the kindness of the people of Motueka. £6 was from the presents on the Christmas tree; the remainder from the address by Frederick Bennett about Maori carving and from the singing of the Te Aute students. The principal organisers of this occasion were Karani Wi Katene and Pare Paaka. They gave three pounds to sustain Te Pipiwharauroa. This would be a good thing for others of our friends to copy.

[6] 

A Christmas tree has been set up at Waikawa, Picton, and another at Wairau.

We have heard that Rawi and his wife have returned to New Zealand. They went to England and Australia, speaking as they went about what Maori are doing. It is said that he is a fluent speaker of English.

If any others of our papers wish to copy articles from Te Pipiwharauroa – Te Tiupiri, Te Puke ki Hikurangi, Te Paki o Matariki or any other paper - we request you to include this acknowledgement, ‘An article copied from Te Pipiwharauroa.’

This is a request to all Maori people, to elders, to orators, to send to be placed in Te Wharauroa our Maori proverbs and their meanings. By this procedure the proverbs will be in a book so that we and our children may learn them.

This edition of the Bird has been long coming out because of the absence of the Editor who was about his work travelling and preaching the Gospel in the districts of Whangarae Te Hoiere, Wairau, Waikawa and Kaikoura. The promoters of this paper are delighted that Rewiti T Kohere has started as assistant editor of our paper. He is now living at Turanga at Te Raukahikatea. We have received many requests to enlarge our paper. Friends this will not happen unless there are more berries to sustain it; then perhaps that will happen. If all the villages respond like Motueka it will grow.

Wairau

This is a notice from the people of Wairau. People travelling around and perhaps staying in Wairau should know that the Committee of Wairau has stated that they are subject to the regulations promulgated by the Committee. One of the regulations states: ‘Liquor is not to be brought into the district defined by the committee.’ There are designated penalties for each offence.

Out of concern for their children the people of Wairau are seeking to obtain a harmonium to teach their children to sing. On 3 April they are demonstrating their work at Wairau, with Maori entertainment and the sale of Maori items made by the women. The money raised will go partly to buying the harmonium and partly to projects for the betterment of the people.

SEEDS FOR OUR BIRD

Hana Paaka, Motueka, 5s; Hare Paaka, 5s; Wi Katene, 5s; Collection from the people of Motueka, £3; Rev H Williams, Te Rau, Gisborne, 10s; Hakopa Kahi, Kaikohe, 10s; Wharepapa Whatanui Te Whaiti, 2s 6d; Eruera Rota, Kaiapoi, 2s: Hoani Ape Te Au, Kaiapoi, 5s; Hare Te Rangi, Waitangi, 2s; Henarata Kohere, 3s; Hoai Matiaha, Gisborne, 2s 6d; Rawiri Karaha Gisborne, 1s.

May the Lord bless us all.

From your fellow labourer, 
Rev Perere Peneti, Editor.

Bond, Finney and Co, Printer, Nelson