Te Pipiwharauroa 23

Te Pipiwharauroa 23

Number 23

1900/01/01

(Maori Version at NZETC)

[1]  Te Pipiwharauroa, He Kupu Whakamarama.

[2] Te Pipiwharauroa, He Kupu Whakamarama, Number 23, Gisborne, January 1900

THE YEAR 1899

Peacefully has passed away

The year that has just finished,

With its happiness, and its good,

And its many trials. [Hymn 31 Maori Prayer Book]

Many things, both good and bad, happened this year but the bad things happened beyond our island, far away from us. Only good things happened to us here in New Zealand.

This is a reason for us to express our praise to the Governor of all things. Though the days of prophesying are ended we say hopefully that very good days for our country lie ahead of us. When we look carefully we see that things continue to improve in areas which will benefit New Zealand.

1. Sheep farming. It is clear to us that the growth of the industry will continue, when we compare the weight of wool produced this year to that produced in the last 11 years.

Year / Pounds Weight (lbs)

1888 93,355,831

1889 99,174,511

1890 105,501,478

1891 111,537,546

1892 114,249,004

1893 122,273,729

1894 130,956,612

1895 132,632,901

1896 132,299,607

1897 137,709,424

1898 154,165,230

We do not yet know the quantity of wool for this year (1899). Most of that wool is yet to be sold, but we believe it will exceed the amount of recent years. One very good thing this year is the rise in the price of wool. It is surmised that the money received this year (1899) will be more that £1,500,000 more than last year (1898).

2. Bush felling (Contracting). There is an increasing amount of this work. Many of the country’s great forest have ceased to exist and have been taken over by sheep. Each year the bush is slowly disappearing and the number of sheep and other animals increasing.

3. Gold mining. This business is also growing. The amount sold in the past two years in the Auckland area is as follows. Last year (1898) the amount was £531,584, while this year (1899) gold brought in £641,150. It is clear that gold mining this year raised £109,566 more than last year.

4. Gum digging. 9,905 tons of kauri gum came to the markets in 1898. The gum raised £586,767, i.e. £59 4s 9d a ton. According to the Pakeha merchants who purchase gum, the quantity will exceed 10,000 this year. The price of gum is going up.

5. Kauri working. Sales of kauri continue to go up. We do not as yet know receipts for this year, but we know that they will be more than any previous year.

6. Oats, wheat and flax fibre. Production of these continues to increase. The present war will perhaps lead to greatly increased sales insofar as the Government of England has asked the New Zealand Government to provide 4,000 tons of oats.

7. Frozen mutton. This is one of New Zealand’s major industries. We do not have information about receipts but we believe they will increase greatly at this time of war.

It is clear from all this that it was right for us to say that New Zealand is growing and this is the time when the size of that growth can be clearly seen. It is also clear to us, folks, that the past year has been a good one (1899).

[3]  

THE LORD IS COMING

(A sermon addressing today’s problems.)

‘Maranatha’

Our text is a single word. See 1 Corinthians 16.22: ‘Maranatha.’ This word is in the language of Syria. In translation it means, ‘The Lord is coming.’

1. ‘The Lord is coming.’ This is one of the most important things the Bible teaches us. There are 260 chapters in the New Testament, and in these 260 there are nearly 300 verses dealing with the coming of the Lord. We know that this is one of the most important things for all faithful people to ponder on. How many of us think about it today? This is a great tenet of our faith. ‘He will come again afterwards etc.’ [Apostles' Creed] It is not possible to refer to all the verses dealing with the coming of the Lord, there are so many. However, we all know the truth of that thing though we choose to forget it and not to remember it. However, I shall quote one of those verses: ‘Because the Son of Man is coming with his angels in the glory of his Father, etc. (Matt 16.27). At the Ascension of Christ, while the men were looking up, the angels said, ‘This Jesus who has been taken away from you into heaven will come in the same way that you have seen him going into heaven.’ (Acts 1.11)

2. When is he coming? Many people in recent years have prophesied about the coming of Christ and the end of the world. It was announced in America at Christmas time 1890 that Christ was coming and the world would end. But the world is still in existence. In 1898 a Viennese man named Professor Falve announced that at 3 o’clock on 13th November the world would be near to ending. This man was a scholar, an astronomer. He said that there was a star which would strike this earth on which we live, and as a result all people and living things would perish from the heat and from the terrible flooding of the earth. Many Russians were startled at this. They sold their lands and possessions too to the unbelievers. Where are they now? People, this thing has been hidden from us by God. Christ said, ‘But no man knows of that day and hour, neither the angels of heaven or the Son, but only the Father.’ (Mark 13.32) On the basis of this verse we say that it is a very vain thing for people to prophesy about that day.

3. How will he come? His coming will be sudden. So he said, ‘Be careful, be watchful and pray, for you do not know the time or the place’ (Mark 13.33). Peter and Paul both likened that day to a theft (1 Thessalonians 5.2; 2 Peter 3.10). Christ likened it to the day when Sodom and Gomorrah were overwhelmed. He likened it to lightning (Matthew 24.27). People will be surprised and alerted!

4. What the world will be like when he comes. Some people say that the Christ will not come until the whole world is converted, until the world is good. This idea is wrong. If this is to be the case then why did he say, ‘Be watchful, be careful,’ as if the coming would be unexpected. If it was to be like this then I could say, ‘The whole world does not yet believe, therefore we  know definitely that the Christ is not about to come soon.’ And what are we then to make of his word, ‘But when the Son of Man comes will he find faith on the earth?’ (Luke 18.8) Certainly Christ said, ‘This good news of the kingdom will be preached throughout all the world, … and then the end will come.’ [Matthew 24.14] However he did not say that all would believe. Friends, Christ will still find good and evil, faith and unbelief in the world when he returns.

5. The signs of his coming. When a tree bursts into flower we know that that summer is near. There are lofty mountains throughout our island. If those mountains are shrouded in cloud, although the sun is shining brightly, the people whose mountain it is know there will be storms and no canoes will set out to sea. Christ has given us some signs which point to his coming. If we observe these things then we know the time is near. (a) Wars. He says, ‘You will hear of wars and rumours of wars … because it is laid down that these things will happen, then the end will come. People will rise up against people and nation against nation’ (Matthew 24.6-7). What is the world like at present? There is fighting in Transvaal, in the Philippines and in China. The French [4] and the Russians are at enmity with England. There are troubles between Japan and Russia. These are wars and rumours of wars. (b) Times of famine. Christ says, ‘there will be times of famine’ (Matthew 24.7). Amongst the accounts of disaster we have read was an account of a famine which has hit India where 2,000,000 people are dependent on the government for food and it seems that famine will get worse. There have been big famines there in recent years. (c) Epidemics. (Matthew 24.7) We have written about a bad epidemic in this paper. There has been much illness amongst the Maori people this past year. (d) Earthquakes. (Matthew 24.7) We have written in this paper about a huge earthquake which struck part of Russia and in which 600 people died.

All these things show us that the time is near.

Many of us, Although we know this, give little consideration to the coming of Christ. Were we to remember all the time his coming, perhaps we would be awake and watchful lest we be discovered to be doing wrong.

6. What are we to do? Friends, whether that day be a long way away or near, it is very clear that the day is coming. Peter says that ‘with God a thousand years are like a day; a day like a thousand years.’ Length or shortness are nothing to him. We are nearer that day today than yesterday. Each person must determine for himself, ‘How will things be with me at the coming of the Lord?’ What is clear is that he will come. His word will not be untrue: ‘Behold I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus’ (Revelation 22.20)

You who ascended,

You will return

With the host of heaven

To judge.

Jesus, you will see

That we shall be well

And that we may be found

At your right hand. [Hymn 53, Maori Prayer Book]

MURDERS

At the beginning of the New Year a Dunedin man called Galloway murdered his wife. On New Year’s Eve the two of them were fighting. When the wife took up a piece of iron to stab the man, he seized a small axe (hatchet) and with one skilful blow she was stretched out. In the morning, the strange fellow went to the police and said that his wife had been killed by someone and that he didn’t know who killed her. The man entered the room in which they were sleeping. When he woke he struggled with the man. They struggled for a long time before the man was driven away and he ran to call someone. When he returned his wife was dead. He was drunk when he committed this terrible sin, and other dreadful things which we shan’t speak of here. 

‘Abandon completely 
drinking whisky, 
lest you have no life-enhancing thoughts 
in the world ….!’

A 13 year-old girl called Le Blowitz was murdered in Brisbane, Australia. Her body was completely chopped up, in the fashion of Jack the Ripper. It seems that the girl was sexually assaulted before being struck down.

When a ship called Nukumana arrived at an island to the far north of New Zealand, many inhabitants of that island came on board to sell their possessions. The captain did not know that the inhabitants of that island were wicked. After they had been trading for a while those people set about killing the captain, the mate and six sailors. Two of the sailors leapt into the sea and swam to land and hid in the bush. They were the only survivors, and they have told the story of their massacre. The same morning one of the ships from Nukurea arrived at the same island. Aboard this ship was Poheiti, the owner of those ships. They saw the Nukumana at anchor but did not know that the people on board had been killed.. They landed their boat in a long, narrow bay. When they saw the boats from the Nukumana lying there they realized what had happened. Poheiti spoke to his friends saying that they should fight bravely and get their boat out. He was right. Before long there was a volley of fire from the people hidden on land as they were returning. One of them was hit but his wound was not serious. Their furious rowing ensured that the boat was soon off-shore. Perhaps a warship will be sent to punish those murderers.

[5] 

 THE NEW YEAR

(A Word for Boys)

The past year was the last year of the century. As we look back we see good and bad things that have happened in the past years and we hope for good things to happen in the century before us. This year begins a new century. The boys of today are the men who begin this new century and upon them depends the well-being or the demise of the Maori people. Boys, live well and treat one another properly this year, that we may enter upon the new century which is beginning, having committed ourselves to doing good, and that we may have a right vision to lay out for our people. But it is not good or right for anyone to live distant from God. And so let us pray continually to him to guide us, that we may faithfully follow his holy footsteps.

WHAT ABOUT THE WAR?

Many people are saying that a really big war is taking place in Transvaal. But people who have attended schools and who have read the histories of the great nations of Europe know that this is not a significant war compared with those that have taken place recently. Some are saying that England is in great trouble. But let us look clearly at this. From the beginning of the fighting in Transvaal to the end of this December the English casualties are as follows: killed – 728; wounded – 2,784; captured – 2,265. That is a total of 5,777, nearly 6,000.

I take the example of just one of the past wars of which I have read to show us the true state of the war. In 1870 there was conflict between France and Germany. The cause of the conflict was some land on their common border. The French said that the land was theirs; the Germans said it belonged to them. The first battle took place at Worth. The number of soldiers taking part in the fighting was more than 100,000 on each side. On the German side, 1,586 were killed, 7,680 were wounded. The total number of French who were killed, wounded or imprisoned in this battle was 46,000. After this they met again at Mars-la-Tour. In this engagement, 4,421 were killed and 10,402 were wounded on the German side. The total number of French killed, wounded or captured was 16,000.

Their major encounter took place at Sedan. There were nearly 200,000 soldiers on each side. This is the battle in which France was really defeated by Germany. It continues to be a cause of quarrel between Germany and France. In this engagement the Germans took the lands for which they were fighting. In this battle 2,319 on the German side were killed and 5,904 wounded. We do not have a count of how many French casualties there were in this battle but it is thought to be nearly 100,000 wither killed, wounded or captured. Alas, there were many such wars in time past of which we are not able to give account here because our paper is very full. If the war in Transvaal is compared with these kinds of wars it can be seen as children at play. However should some of the great powers enter the war then we shall see a real war.

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA

The dispute between England and Russia is escalating. Russia has long wanted to possess India and it seems that they are hoping to fulfil that dream insofar as 60,000 soldiers have arrived at the northern border of India. However the land there is very difficult with high mountains and steep cliffs which people cannot cross. All the entries to India are cut off by the English, the English having built fortresses there, and because of the narrowness and the difficulties of those places very few men are needed to fight large armies. Now there are soldiers stationed there, though from early days, even when there was no fighting, there have been soldiers there. If there is fighting there it will be a problem for the English because of its many wars. This will be a major war. But England is not afraid; rather it is well prepared. It is not the first time it will have entered into such a war. No, it has previously been involved in some very bad wars and it is said that later wars are child’s play.

[6]  

THE WAR IN TRANSVAAL

(Many reports of the fighting reach us but we do not believe them all. Those we do believe and which we publish in Te Pipiwharauroa, and which are really true, come from the ‘Foreign Office’ in England.)

The Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force

The second detachment left New Zealand on 20th on this month. It has the same number of men as the first detachment, namely 200.

Ngati Porou’s Request

The Government has received Ngati Porou’s request to be allowed to go to the war, but the Government declined the request for some justifiable reasons.

The Fighting at Colesburg

The New Zealand and Australian forces are serving under the Australian General French. They took a strong Boer fort at Colesburg. When they charged, the Boers started up and fled. However, because they were very few in number they were not able to seize that fort. If reinforcements had been near they would undoubtedly have taken that fort. There was much praise for the bravery of the New Zealand and Australian soldiers.

On the night of the 7th day a section of General French’s army (though not under his command) attacked a Boer division. In the midst of the battle the Boers tricked the English by having the bugle sound the English retreat and the English retreated. One group involved in that assault continued the fight and 70 of them were captured.

Kuruman

The Boers have taken Kuruman, and English town in the western part of Transvaal. The 120 police guarding the town were taken prisoner by the Boers.

The Major Battle in this Whole War

On the 8th of this month we received General White’s dispatch about a battle at Ladysmith on Saturday 6th. At 3.30 p.m. the Boers under their supreme commander, General Joubert, attacked Ladysmith. There was a great battle. At nine o’clock General White telegraphed General Buller saying ‘the enemy is defeated and is fleeing’. However at 11 he sent another message: ‘The enemy has indeed been repulsed, but continues to bombard the town from all sides.’ In another wire at 3.30 he said, ‘The Boer is attacking again. I am under pressure on all sides and am at the end of my resources.’ This was General White’s last wire on that day; by evening no further wire had been received.

This kind of message indicated a major crisis. If the sun shone, the message would be flashed, like lightning, so many flashes for each letter. People would go up to see the distant flashes.

This was an anxious night for the English throughout the world, following General White’s last wire. There was rejoicing everywhere when at dawn General White’s wire was read: ‘The Boer have been beaten. A great conflict.’ General Joubert and his officer colleagues held a meeting to share their ideas for an assault but General White was not troubled by them. But soon the fort fell under a third assault on the defences from the Boers, with the Scots charging with fixed bayonets for the third time. This was the second major assault by the Boers on Ladysmith. In the first assault between 800 and 1000 Boers died around Ladysmith, but in the last 2,500 Boers fell compared with 800 English. Alas, the extent of your anger!

It is said that the surroundings of Ladysmith were covered with corpses. There were five Boers to each Englishman involved in this conflict. After the Boers had departed the English remained within the fortifications.

General Roberts and General Kitchener

The English Government has announced that General Roberts is to be the Supreme Commander of the war in Transvaal. Few of us Maori know about this man so we will set down some information about him. He was born in India in 1832, so he is 68 now. His ancestors were warriors, bearers of weapons, an occupation passed on to their grandson. As a young man he became a soldier and although he is now elderly and his body is weak his heart is eager. He has participated in more than 100 battles but has never been struck [7] by a bullet. His life is remarkable. He was always at the front of his charges and did not return unrewarded. He wears on his chest the Victoria Cross. He has fought in all the recent great wars of the English. He no longer takes part in battles – he lacks the strength – but all the younger Generals under him come before him to get his instructions.

General Kitchener is the next general below General Roberts. He is very knowledgeable about the conduct of war. He was the general responsible for conducting the war in Egypt which ended last November. There were three major battles with the Arabs before the war eventually ended. In the final battle last November he took 9,000 enemy prisoners. There was no count of the dead. (See ‘Pipiwharauroa’ 22) Afterwards he was made Governor of Egypt and received a knighthood. But his governorship did not last long because he wished to return to fighting. He sailed with General Roberts to southern Africa.

In Memory of Bradford of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force

On 18th December the New Zealanders participated in a battle at Arundel. On that day a wire arrived saying that Bradford, one of the New Zealand force, had died. However, afterwards it was found that he had not died but was wounded and had been taken prisoner by the Boers. The Boers issued a hopeful statement that perhaps he would not die, but we have received notification from the Boers that he has died. This man is from Auckland. He was a fine man, well-suited to be a soldier. He is the first New Zealander to fall in the war. To die in battle is an honourable thing. His family are in deep grief; we too are sad. ‘A fighting warrior dies in the battle.’ [cf Nga Pepeha 767]

Bestirring Themselves

English people all over the world are eager to go and fight in Transvaal. When an appeal was made for 50,000 soldiers to go to Transvaal, nearly 100,000 men applied to go. However, not all were accepted but only those needed. This shows the character of the English. And although their losses have since been made known they are not disheartened, rather there are many more wishing to go to the war. It is the same in New Zealand. 200 soldiers were called up to go to Transvaal but more than 400 men wanted to go.

Douglas

The English stormed a town called Douglas. Colonel Pilcher led the assault. It was not long before the people within the town were captured. The soldiers who were involved in this attack were from Canada and some were from Australia. 40 people were taken prisoner. The town is still held by the English although most of the people had gone over to the Boers. The English position has been enhanced by the taking of the town. The prisoners are not treated like the prisoners of the Boers. The latter are judged and if they are condemned they face great punishment. They are severely punished because they are English and they vent their anger on the English.

Rensburg

A New Zealand company was attacked by 1000 Boers at Rensburg. They were encamped on a hill when they were attacked. A small party from the English army went to assist them. Because the Boers were so close the English charged them with fixed bayonets. The Boers were defeated. Two New Zealanders died – Connell from Auckland and Gourlie from Dunedin. Fifteen Boers were killed and many wounded. Congratulations to New Zealand.

Latest News of the War

General Buller has crossed the Tugela River. He is fighting now. We do not yet know who has capitulated but the English move on. The guns do most of the work. General Warren (serving under General Bull) has taken one of the principal redoubts of the Boers on a hill called Spionkop. This is the highest hill in the area. However General Warren has not been able to seize the hill because of the fierce Boer Tirade there. Many on both sides have fallen. The battle still goes on. By the next edition of Te Pipiwharauroa we will know the outcome of this battle. And there we will continue to recount all the news.

[8]  

A PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR

(Written by Mr Williams, Bishop of Waiapu, for reading in the churches.)

Almighty God, you are the King of all the rulers of the peoples and you bring to an end conflicts in all parts of the earth. We pray that you will bring an end to the fighting in the far south of Africa. Turn the craftiness of men into a means of fulfilling your will and extending your kingdom. Speed the time when one people will not lift up sword against another and will no longer learn war. Grant this as we remember the good work and the the defending care of the Prince of Peace, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

SUPPLEMENT CONCERNING THE WAR

English people living in Canada, North America, have decided to assemble some 5,000 soldiers in readiness. Should England get into further difficulties these 5,000 will be sent. They have sent nearly 2,000 soldiers to Transvaal.

The people of New South Wales, Australia, have put in a state of preparedness 900 men should England call for them. Already 1,000 men from this part of Australia are in Transvaal.

An Englishman, Rudyard Kipling, has written a poem which is selling for one shilling a copy. That poem has raised more than £60,000. This money is to support the children and widows of the soldiers who have died in Transvaal. We believe that the poem will raise more than £100,000.

General White’s casualties in the battle of Ladysmith were 419 – 15 officers were killed and 25 wounded, and 135 other ranks were killed and 244 wounded. The figure of 800 mentioned above was wrong.

SOME OTHER WARS IN THE WORLD

France and China

France is angry with the Chinese province of [?Manatoa] in the far south. The cause of their anger is the murder by some Chinese of some French. But the governor of that province has not punished those murderers. The French demanded that that governor be punished and the Emperor of China agreed. However this is not a major war. It is not a war against the nation of China but against this province only in order to punish those murderers. The government of China agreed with the justice of the French cause. On 3rd of this month some sailors from a French battleship landed and there was fighting. Fifteen hundred Chinese fought in this war; 200 of them died as did 15 French.

The War in the Philippines

The Filipinos (the people of the Philippines) were defeated by America. Although the Filipinos are a small people in the fighting they retreated inland far from the Americans. Just like the Boers fighting the English in Transvaal. One difference in this war is that previously the Americans and the Filipinos were allies in the fight against Spain but with the defeat of the Spaniards they began fighting each other.

Japan and Russia

Every day the gulf between Russia and Japan widens. The cause of their dispute is a country to the east of Asia called Korea. Russia is one of the great powers of today. It is said that Russia has a total of 8,000,000 soldiers. However she is not strong in the areas of the East. Those who know say that Japan is more powerful than Russia in those areas.

AN EPIDEMIC

A very bad illness has struck the people of New Caledonia, a French island to the north of New Zealand. The Pakeha name for that illness is ‘Bubonic Plague’. It is a disease feared throughout the world. People who get the illness do not survive long but die a day after contracting it. If the sick person is strong they may last for three or four days; however, if they survive for six days they are likely to get over it. The peoples [9] of the East, Chinese, Japanese, the natives of India, and some others are the most likely to suffer this disease. We know how disastrous this disease is; if 100 people get the ‘Bubonic Plague’ then 80 to 90 of them will die. The disease has struck Hawaiki [sic] and some parts of Australia too. The Government of New Zealand has issued orders for the careful inspection of steamers and ships coming from the countries that have the disease. If signs of the disease are found on the steamers or ships then neither the people on board nor the cargo may land. The Government is extremely careful. If it is found that the disease has reached New Zealand, even though only one person is affected, then that would mean great trouble for New Zealand. No-one could come here and no-one from those other lands would buy New Zealand produce. Rats can harbour this disease and rats can carry it from house to house. This savage gnaws at the stomach. Should this disease come to New Zealand few, a remnant only, would be left of the Maori people.

Friends, let us all be on the lookout. Apply the Governments instructions to the Pakeha to ourselves. These instructions are: Keep bodies and clothes clean. Keep the village clean. Don’t leave heaps of rubbish about or anything that gives off smells. In places where there is filth, that is where that disease lurks. Be careful! As the Pakeha says: ‘It is best to ward off illness. If you let it strike then you have to take medicine.’

SAD EVENTS

The Duke of Westminster has died at the age of 72. He was one of the wealthiest, indeed the wealthiest, man in all England. This is not because he himself worked for his money. No, it was left to him by his ancestors, and came to him through his parents. If we had that wealth what would we do with it? This man gave much money to works of charity, to feeding orphans and widows and the needy. A lot of his money he gave to hospitals.

D L Moody, the most famous preacher in the world, has died. He was from America. He was not a minister but simply a preacher. He made two preaching tours of England. He was a gifted speaker and spoke with authority. A great many people were converted through his preaching and more than 2,000 people came to hear him whenever he preached.

This man set up a Bible College in Chicago, America.

In this town of Chicago is the largest Sunday School in the whole world led by one of the men from the college. This is an extraordinary, very large building with 12 school rooms and is built with glass. The Head of the school sits in a large room. When his bell rings, the screens of those rooms are drawn back and the whole area becomes one. This is how large it is. 5,000 people attend this school. There are 12 secretaries to arrange and care for everything. There is a very large library.

When a large building in Melbourne caught fire a man named Douglas fell from a window 50 feet up. When he landed he died.

A man fell into the water and drowned at Queen Street Wharf, Auckland.

A nine year-old child called Makenooro from Paterangi, Waikato, had an accident. She had been told to go and fetch a horse. Because she was away so long someone went to look for her. She was lying down and close to death having been kicked by one of the horses. The child was taken to hospital but before long she died. Parents, be careful when you send children to fetch horses lest they have an accident like this child.

There was an earthquake in part of Russia on New Year’s Day. It is said that 600 people died.

The wife of the Prime Minister of England, Lord Salisbury, has died.

A Pakeha man from Gisborne has killed himself by drowning. He emerged from one of the hotels and went and killed himself.

The Supreme Governor of India, Lord Curzon, has telegraphed that concerning a widespread famine in India. The Government is providing food for 2,000,000 of the inhabitants of that country. If there is no rain soon the situation will get worse.

There is a heat-wave at present in Australia. A wire has arrived from Melbourne saying that 15 people from there have died from the heat.

[10] 

THE MONKEY WHO WAS WITNESS TO THE KILLING OF HIS MASTER

The largest river in the land of America is the Mississipi. More than 20,000 miles of that river are navigable by steamers and ships. There are many towns and small villages along the shores of the river. One of the ships that sailed on that river belonged to Ackmann. This man’s occupation was theatricals and exhibiting animals. He  built a house for himself and his animals on the boat and when you saw it that ship was like a house floating on the waves of the waters. Ackmann had worked for many years at this and was appreciated by thousands of people, and the people of each town eagerly awaited his arrival. Now the thing most liked by everyone was his monkey called Jacky. He was good and knowing and bright and loved his master very much. Last April, because he was so busy, Ackmann employed some associates. He chose a man called Star and his wife. Four months passed and they arrived at a village called Devall’s Landing. Ackmann was well when they left there and his monkey was happy. But when they arrived at the village where they were to set up afterwards, Ackmann was missing and Jacky looked glum. He kept crying, he would not eat his food and was terribly distressed. It was said that the monkey was crying out of love for his master. When he disappeared, Ackmann was sought and questions were asked as they went. Star and his wife said that Ackmann had travelled by coach to an inland town and when he had finished his business he would return. But Jacky was not lost. He kept pointing his hand at Star and his wife even though he could not speak. He was always angry at that man and his wife but as he was tied up he could not attack them. 

Because of Jacky’s behaviour that man and his wife were suspected. Everyone in that area knew that Jacky was happy and lively and friendly, and now he was sad. An axe was found in the boat with blood on it. When the doctors inspected it it was found to be human blood. Many witnesses came forward to help Jacky’s case but he was the chief witness. Last September the case came up. When other witnesses had given their testimonies, Jacky was called. When he appeared he had been dressed up in nice clothes befitting the venue. He was carried into the witness box. He looked about him for a long time while the thousands sitting in the courthouse were silent and still. When he saw the man sitting amongst the people he pointed with his hand and was eager to go and hit him, but those who held him were strong and the judge was not troubled, and there was no fight with the murderer there. The man was taken outside. After looking for a long time Jacky saw the woman. He behaved the same way towards the woman as he had to the man.

From this the jury pronounced, ‘Star and his wife are guilty’. The judge announced the sentence: ‘You, Star, will be hanged, and your wife will go to prison for life.’ This is the end of the story of Jacky, the monkey who was witness to the killing of his master. After this the law said that Ackmann’s property should be sold. When his son-in-law heard of it he travelled from the far south of the country and bought Jacky who is with him being cared for and loved and Jacky is happy with his new master.

LAND SALES ON THE EAST COAST

In consequence of setting up a town at Te Puia, Waipiro, under the ‘Maori Town Act 1895’, 95 sections had been leased in that town as at 15 February 1900 under tenancy agreements. Those leases are effective for 21 years but may be renewed after that by careful agreement.

Williams and Kettle are selling the lease of Mangatu Number 1 on 24th February 1900. A total of 15,147 acres is being put up but it is divided into six.

At the sale of Government lands on the East Coast last December nearly 3,979 acres went to Maori. Friends, you should be aware lest some of these lands mentioned above be taken away from us. Let us see that we get some sections in the town.

[11] THE LETTER FROM BISHOP STUART (Former Bishop of Waiapu)

Incidents from a journey.

Julfa, Isfahan, Persia, July 11th 1899.

‘It is now very hot and some of us are very ill. Because of this our journey to Ghamsar, a cool place in the mountains, was delayed. When our sick are convalescent we will be able to travel more quickly and there we will all be much better.’

Afterwards he spoke about his friends here in New Zealand, saying, ‘Will there come a time when I shall see again in this world my friends of recent days? Truly, it is difficult for a person to be separated from the land in which he has become a tangata whenua, as I have been parted from New Zealand. But is there not perhaps a purpose? Certainly, a great purpose which will consume my spirit, my life, my all.

I shall never repent of coming here and I shall not go back. But I would not like my friends to think that I have forgotten them and the past times.’

July 19th

We have not yet set out. I am the one responsible for our troubles now. I was struck down with fever and although it is now three days since I became ill I am left very weak and my body is shivering. The local people were up and ready to go at 2 o’clock in the morning.

July 24th

I am up again and my health has been restored. Yesterday was a busy working day. Five Persians were baptised yesterday.

Ghamsar, July 30th

We have arrived. We had a good journey here. We made every effort to travel at night. This is a very beautiful town where fruit trees grow. Amongst the trees is a small stream, however it is pleasant and cool. The grove of trees was our church this morning. The coolness of this place is like New Zealand in the summer. Near our house is a very nice swimming pool. In its loveliness and clarity it is like Rachel’s Bath at Rotorua but without the smell. It is said that the waters are medicinal; they are very good for swimming. Many people come to us. So I divide the classes in two. A- teaches the women and I teach the men.

A TRAIN FOR GISBORNE

For three years the people here have been urging the Government to provide a train and now it has been approved. This will be of great benefit to the people here. The Gisborne district has the most productive land in the Island, costing from £21 to £25 and acre. Many people would like to purchase or lease Gisborne land but because of the lack of roads to transport the produce of the land they are not able to fulfil their wishes. The land at Motu is exceptionally fertile and some has been purchased by Pakeha who have recognised its fertility. However the problem is the roads. Motu is some fifty miles from the wharf at Gisborne and pack horses and carts are the only means of transporting the produce of those lands to Gisborne. When their work is all done those people get no profit from their lands. This is the main reason why this town does not grow rapidly. However when the plan to build a railway is implemented it will not be long before Gisborne is very large. At the beginning there was much contention about the route of the railway. Some said it should head for Napier, others that it should go to Rotorua. It is thought that it will go to Rotorua.since the railway being built this year will go to Te Karaka, 20 miles inland from Turanga. Rotorua is the terminus for the Auckland train. The people of Gisborne have set up a committee to arrange a gathering to celebrate the start of the work when the first sod will be turned. Some Government ministers will come here for that occasion. Friends, as the coming of the railway will benefit us it is right that we all join in that celebration. It is not yet known for certain when that work will begin.

[12] THE FASTEST STEAMER IN THE WORLD

In England is the fastest steamer in the world, called Turbinia. The ship is 100 feet long and 9 feet across. The bow is a sharp as a knife. It travels at more than 40 miles an hour, the same speed as most of the trains in New Zealand. The propeller goes at 2,500 revolutions a minute but Pardon, the man who owns the ship, says that the engine can achieve 5,000 to 10,000 revolutions a minute, in which case it will go faster. A remarkable thing about this steamer is that from a standing start it takes 28 seconds to reach a speed of 40 mile and hour.

A torpedo boat (a ship to destroy battleships) has been built for the English Government, constructed on the same pattern. It travels at nearly 40 miles an hour.

EXPLANATION

Winter is long past. This is summer and there are many berries. The nights of the torrid zenith draw near and the autumn will yield its fruits. So likewise let us see some of the fruits of the harvest.

Many letters from friends have arrived but we are saddened by the smallness of the wings which carry this bird. Some letters we are unable to read because of the smudged writing. My friends, if you send a communication to be carried by our bird then make sure the writing is legible and on one side of the paper only. However, if it is a letter to the Editor it is permissible to use both sides of the paper.

The publishers of Te Pipiwharauroa have agreed to the request of the supporters to fix a firm price for our paper. So, people, you should know that the set price is now five shillings (5/-) a year. This is a very low price which poor folk will be able to afford, which is our fervent wish. But we shall not go against the thoughts of the chiefs.

In the last paragraphs of Te Pipiwharauroa can be found the list of those who have given sustenance to it each month.

The Editor accepts no responsibility for the views expressed by those who send articles for publication in Te Pipiwharauroa, but those who write articles must be careful not to send anything offensive for such articles will not be published. Articles sent should be such as benefit most people. - The Editor.

TE TUI

Number 2 of Te Tui is ready. If anyone wants one then write to the Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa. The price is the same as for Number 1, that is, sixpence (-/6).

There remain some copies of Number 1 of Te Tui. Where is the special interest from the lad who has attended Te Aute? You’ll find here accounts of our home in those days. The price is still six coppers (-/6). If you want The Tui write to the Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa.

NOTICE

If you write to the paper address it to The Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa, Te Rau, Gisborne. Do not put a person’s name.

THE PRICE OF WOOL

The price of wool now has fallen and is at the same level as in recent times. But the fall is not great. It is 5%.

The result of the 5%fall is that wool which fetched £100 previously, now fetches £95.

SUPPLEJACK SEEDS FOR OUR BIRD

£1 – Eru Titi; 5/- - T Wharepapa, Mrs Halbert, K McNelley, Herepete Rapihana; 3/6 – Paiura Tuheke; 2/5 Eraihia Matahiki, Paora Peehi; 1/- Rev Hoeta te Hata.

H W Williams, Te Rau Press, Gisborne