Te Pipiwharauroa 24

Te Pipiwharauroa 24

No.24

1900/02/01

(Maori Version at NZETC)

[1] Te Pipiwharauroa, He Kupu Whakamarama.

[2] Te Pipiwharauroa, He Kupu Whakamarama Number 24, Gisborne, February 1900

THE RULES OF TE PIPIWHARAUROA

The Editor is happy at receiving greetings from subscribers praising the progress of Te Pipiwharauroa. Friends, we know that the singing of our bird is pleasant to the ear from the very many communications we have had by letter and telegram. It is our earnest desire to fulfil these requests and others that are sent.

The Editor is sorry that he cannot fulfil those requests that have arrived for the first edition of Te Pipiwharauroa because all are gone.

We have received many letters from friends, but we are sad that the wings are rather small for carrying our bird. Some letters we are not able to read because the writing is smudged. Friends, if you send an article to be carried by our bird make sure the writing is legible and on one side only of the paper. However if the letter is to the Editor it is alright to use both sides of the paper.

We, the publishers of Te Pipiwharauroa have agreed with the supporters of the paper that there should be a fixed price. So you should be aware that the price fixed now is five shillings (5/-) a year. This is a very low price which even the poor can afford, which is our earnest desire. It is not for us to question the decisions of the chiefs. If you send money, use a Postal Note. You may also send stamps.

The names of people who have sent donations are published each month in the final paragraph of Te Pipiwharauroa.

The Editor is not responsible for the ideas expressed in articles sent to us for publication in Te Pipiwharauroa but contributors should be careful not to be offensive because those articles will not be published. Send us articles which will give pleasure to most people. The Editor.

TE TUI

At last the 2nd edition of Te Tui has appeared. If you want a copy, write to the Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa. The price is the same as for Number 1, sixpence (-/6).

There are still copies of Number 1 of Te Tui available. Where are most of the boys who came out of Te Aute? Here you will find stories of our home in those days. The price is still six coppers (-/6). If anyone wants Te Tui then write to the Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa.

MONEY FOR MAORI CHILDREN

In the session of Parliament that has just finished, the Government has set aside £100 for Maori children who have been attending Pakeha schools (Public Schools). The money is available to five children. Each will receive twenty pounds (£20) a year for two years. The money will not be given to a child under 15½ or who has not passed the fifth form. The purpose of this money is to help those children should they wish to go to a large school to learn perhaps a trade.

[3] 

MURDERS

On Tuesday 6th of this month, Wolfe was convicted by the Supreme Court of the murders of his two children at Petone, Wellington, last October. His trial was delayed because of his injuries. He was by then convalescent. After killing his children he shot himself but he did not die. Through the skill of the doctor he got well, though as he stood in court his wounds were still bandaged.

When he was instructed to defend himself he said, ‘I want to be quickly hanged. I don’t want to be tried.’

The trial ended in the evening and the jury gave its verdict: ‘He is guilty, but we ask for clemency insofar as he committed the crime while his mind was disordered, he was mentally ill.’ The judge also said that he would petition Parliament and that he would support the plea for clemency. However when Wolfe was questioned he said, ‘I don’t want to live. The only thing I want is to be put to death within 48 hours.’ When Wolfe said these words the people in the court were tearful. Formerly he was a good man who loved his wife and cared for his children. He was not a drunkard. It appears that the man’s mind was distracted when he did this terrible thing and when was in his right mind and realised the terrible thing he had done, he did not want to live despite the comforting words of the Judge. As a result of his request the Judge put on his black cap and with trembling voice pronounced the death sentence on Wolfe.

On Monday 5th February a 14 year-old Dunedin boy called Cunningham was involved in a tragedy. He came upon the Graham children who were fighting. One was carrying a stick as a weapon. He fought with them and threw down the one with the stick. There was also a rather difficult boy there called Milburn. He was 12 years old. This boy called out to Cunningham to let them fight. Cunningham grabbed him and threw him down. When he stood up he was holding a knife and struck at Cunningham hitting him in the stomach. He died. At the trial the jury said that this was not murder but accidental death. Milburn did not know he had a knife in his hand.

WARSHIPS BEING BUILT

English

The English Government has ordered six powerful battleships for the English navy. The length of the first of these taniwha is 405 feet, the beam 75 feet, and the tonnage 14,000. It will have powerful guns on board capable of sending a shell 21 miles. The English navy has many very large guns on its battleships, the heaviest weighing 100 tons, but it is not as powerful as these new guns although it only weighs 50 tons. 450 of these guns are being built for the English fleet at a cost of £2,500.000.

German

At a recent meeting of the Ministers of the German Government, it was agreed that there should be more battleships. Instructions were issued for the building of 19 battleships, 8 cruisers, and 15 other vessels. It was also agreed that more sailors should be recruited; a further 33,746 are to join the present crews.

France

The French Government has issued instructions for the building of 177 new warships. This is a massive order, larger than the total number of new warships commissioned by England and Germany together. The various types are as follows: 6 powerful battleships, 5 fast cruisers, 27 torpedo destroyers, 112 torpedo boats, and 27 submarines. This last class is remarkable. When an enemy warship is spotted it dives and travels under water. It rises to the surface briefly to sight the enemy before submerging again. When it is close it fires its torpedoes to strike the enemy ship then retires to a distance to observe. The building of these warships starts this year and they will all be finished in 1907. The cost is £60,000,000.

[4]  

AIRCRAFT

In these days there is much talking about aircraft, namely, the balloon. It is perhaps right that Te Pipiwharauroa should tell of some of the doings of this particular one of the strange vehicles of the Pakeha. The purpose of the aircraft is to fly into space. The silk bag is filled with hydrogen gas and that gas lifts the bag. The cabin for the man is fixed to the end underneath that bag. The aircraft climbs because the hydrogen is lighter than the air outside, just as a dry stick will float on the surface of the water because the stick is lighter than the water, whereas iron will not float because it is heavier than water. If the man wishes to make his craft descend he lets out some of the gas.

Much can be done by the aircraft. A man is still lost at the ends of the earth. He went up with his friend in an aircraft to see what that land was like. In that land there was but one day and one night every year; for six months it was dark, for six months it was light. It was thought that those men had died. A party of men set out to look for them but did not see them. Those stout fellows carried food and tents for the two of them. Perhaps their vessel fell into the sea, onto the foaming fields of those lonely, wild and sorrowful seas.

The aircraft can be a source of pleasure. If the wind is right it can travel at nearly sixty miles an hour. A Pakeha expert came to fly one of that kind of craft in New Zealand to demonstrate it. He flew way up and took hold of something that looked like an umbrella and let it fall to earth. When he was demonstrating this in Christchurch last year, he let down his ‘umbrella’ below his cockpit as an anchor, it turned over, and he was not able to descend. The wind carried away his craft while he used all his strength to control his craft. He could not and his craft was blown out to sea. The lighthouse men saw him descend to the sea but when the lifeboat arrived he could not be found. Many people watched that man being blown to his death while his wife stood glued to the place where the craft had ascended. The Pakeha has his own ways dying! It is senseless only to fly in the sky in order to get to the home of the birds.

We hear news that airships are being well used in the fighting in Transvaal to spy on the forts and the activities of the Boers. When the Boers and the English stopped fighting for three days, it was understood that neither side would move, and a English airship was sent up and saw that the Boers were restoring their forts. This was conveyed by telegraph and the fighting began again. When the blacks saw the airship they mistook it for a god and knelt down and prayed. The airship has been used experimentally to drop bombs on the enemy but it was found to be unsuccessful. So its great use is to spy out what they enemy is doing. The enemy tried to shoot it down but were unable to destroy it; although it was hit at the bottom of the bag the gas did not escape and it did not come down. The Pakeha! The Pakeha! 

R.T.M.

A NOTICE

To the tribes, to the hapu, to the languages, to the gatherings of people living on these two islands, Aotearoa and Te Wai-pounamu. Greetings! Greetings! Greetings!

This notice tells you that the Parliament of the Confederation of the Maori Tribes of these two islands will be held at Rotorua. The gathering will be held in the month of March but the dates have not been finally fixed. The dates that were formerly mooted were 15th – 24th but as yet these dates have not been confirmed.

Peoples, we trust that you will be eager to come and that you will be on the lookout for the day the hui will be held. Greetings to you all.

From the Te Arawa Committee.

Te Otimi Tikitere, Te Araka Hapeta,

Okiwi Ngatara, Tamati te Rangi,

Rapaera Ngakairau, Wiremu Pauro,

Taekata te Tokoihi, Hapeta te Hautehoro,

Hira Rangimatini, Wharekiri te Kowhai,

Mikaere Hikurangi, Haukiwaho Piwiki,

Te Koki Nohoroa, Naera te Warihi,

Meihana Putuangaanga, Taupopoki,

Manahi Tumatahi, H Tupara Tokoaitua,

That is, from all of Te Arawa.

[5]  

THE GOOD SAMARITAN  [Luke 10.30-37]

It is very clear why Christ spoke this parable of the Good Samaritan: so that no-one could say that his neighbours were only his family or perhaps people living near him. However teachers in former times said that we should understand that the man who was attacked represented humanity, and the Good Samaritan, Christ.

'A man went from Jerusalem to Jericho.' In the beginning man was created as wonderfully good, but he forsook that state and left Jerusalem, the holy city, the city of peace, to go down (it is the same in Greek) from there to what was evil, to the town that was accursed (Joshua 6.26; 1 Kings 16.34) where 'he met the robbers.' The latter are Satan and his angels. He is a murderer (John 8.44).

'They stripped him.' They took his clothes, his integrity, and he was battered. Not a single part of him was free from injury, from sin (Psalm 38.4-8).

'They went on their way, leaving him there, as good as dead.' He appeared like a corpse (Ephesians 2.1) but he was not; he still had a portion of the spirit that had been breathed into humankind, even though he had fallen, he had sinned.

'A certain priest … crept by on the other side.' The priest is a sign that sacrifices have no power to save a person (Hebrews 10.1,4).

'Likewise a Levite.' The law also is powerless to save (Galatians 3.21).

'Now a certain Samaritan.' This is Christ because the Jews taunted him. He did not respond to their charge that he was a Samaritan (John 8.48-49). He was happy to be identified with the people who were derided and despised by the Jews.

'When he saw him he was moved with pity.' Christ still looks upon mankind with pity (John 15.9; 13.1).

'He bandaged his wounds.' This echoes what Isaiah said (Isaiah 61.1-2; Luke 4.18) and David (Psalm 147.3). This bandaging is lest mankind falls again into sin.

'He poured out oil and wine.' According to Chrysostom this oil is the Holy Spirit with which God anoints his people and the wine is his blood which dripped from the cross for our salvation.

'He put him on his own animal.' He walked below, just as Christ humbled himself on our behalf (2 Corinthians 8.9).

'He brought him to an inn.' This is the Church, the place to which the merciful Saviour brings his people for blessing (Mark 4.2 [sic] ?12; Hosea 14.4; Psalm 103.2; Matthew 13.15; Revelation 22.2).

'On the morning of his departure.' Christ did not wish to stay on on this earth (John 14.28).

'He took out two pence.' According to some these are the two Sacraments given by Christ for his people. Others say that they are the two covenants. Yet others say that one is the Word the other the Sacraments. But best of all is what others believe which is that they are all the spiritual gifts given by Christ to enrich the life of people in the Church.

'He said to him, ‘Look after him’.' This is the same as Christ said to Peter: ‘Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep’ (John 21.15-16). The Lord has ordained ministers for his Church to do the things for the members of the Church.

'And if you spend more.' A good minister will not consider this. He is happy that his goods and he are used (2 Corinthians 12.15; 1 Peter 5.2), but Christ promises that he will restore all these things (Matthew 19.29; 1 Peter 2.4).

'When I return.' This is Christ’s revelation that he will return (John 14.3; Acts 1.11) and he will take with him his people that they might live.

MACLEAN SCHOLARSHIPS

Each year there is an examination for MacLean Scholarships. The three children who come out above all the others in the exam win the scholarships. There is £35 a child a year for two years. However things are divided differently for students of Te Aute and St Stephen’s. They are not permitted to enter for things designated for Native Schools.

This year the money goes to Watene Puketoki (Bay of Plenty), Wiremu Turei (Gisborne), Keiha Nutana (Mangere, Auckland).

Terei Ngatai of Ngati Porou has passed the Government Matriculation examination.

[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 Retreat from Spionkop.

Colonel Thorneycroft gave the order for the English to withdraw from Spionkop. The reasons for the withdrawal were that the hill was too exposed to the enemy guns, the steepness of the sides meant that it was not possible to get a large gun on top, the extent of the summit was such that the defenders were too spread out, there was no water and many men had died. General Buller did not censure the Colonel for this; rather he praised him for doing the right thing given the above circumstances. Two hundred and four English fell at Spionkop besides those wounded or taken prisoner. After this General Buller and his men returned to this side of the river.

Ladysmith

The Boers dearly wanted to overthrow Ladysmith. They brought some big guns there. The people of Ladysmith during the day went into caves when the enemy guns rumbled. [Those caves were dug inside the town.] The Boers decided to overthrow Ladysmith by water. They dammed a river (Klip River) north of Ladysmith. 1300 blacks were put to that work. It did not work.

General Buller’s Preparations

General Buller was not long on this side of the river before he determined to return to Ladysmith. However, when he crossed the river he found that the road ahead was blocked by large Boer guns so that he was unable to proceed and has now returned to this side of the river. The day will come when he will attempt to go to Ladysmith but he will find a new road.

Mafeking

Last month the Queen received a letter from the people of Mafeking, a last address to her, reminding her that it would soon have been besieged in Mafeking for 100 days. The Queen was deeply moved by what they said in their letter. Colonel Powell has sent a dispatch saying that his people are in good spirits and there is sufficient food to sustain them until the end of June. He also said, ‘Don’t think first of us but of those places that are really suffering,’ that is, of Kimberley and Ladysmith. The whole world wonders at the courage of Colonel Powell and his 800. Despite many Boer assaults on Mafeking they have not been troubled. Colonel Powell has taught his soldiers to use their bayonets while on horseback. When they have a good chief, soldiers pay attention. 

He ope toa te ope ririki.
‘A small army is a brave one.’

Kimberley

We have received reports that Kimberley is suffering. A new enemy has arisen to assist the Boers and to put much pressure on the people of Kimberley, the matter of sustenance within. They face two difficulties, the bullets of the enemy from outside and lack of food within. The enemies earthworks have advanced close to the town and the people of the town have eaten their horses.

Relief

As a result of the bad news from Kimberley General Roberts dispatched a relief force under General French.

At this time one of the Boer companies was engaged by the soldiers in Kimberley, but their attack was not very successful because of the strength of the Boers outside the town.

The English appear very disturbed at the news of the casualties in Kimberley. General French telegraphed: ‘I and my army have reached Kimberley, defeated the enemy and relieved the town.’ The English were overjoyed and everyone wondered at the swiftness and the bravery of General French’s troops. They travelled 75 miles in four days though encumbered with many heavy things – wagons of food, guns, ammunition and other things for Kimberley. They also had skirmishes with the enemy on the road. The English Government has honoured General French by making him a Major-General.

Magersfontein

Magersfontein in the Boer stronghold on the other side of the Mota River. Here the English under General Methuen had a major battle [7] soon after the beginning of the war. It was thought that that town could not be taken. When General Roberts arrived at the Mota he saw a way to bring down that town. He did not attack the town but commanded his army (50,000 troops) to enter the territory of the enemy behind the town. As a result of this move the supply routes to the town were all cut off. When the Boers realised this, Eee…! Defeat was near and they abandoned their stronghold which they had depended on in recent days. They broke out. The English pursued them, striking them down. There was a great fight. Many prisoners were taken along with much booty. They are still being pursued.

LATEST NEWS OF THE WAR

With the fall of Magersfontein, General Cronje of the Boers gave orders that his army should break out and that each should save himself, except for the 5000 close to him. He did this thinking that some of his men would survive though some would be taken by the English and that not all should perish. However, because the English were so assiduous in their pursuit he gathered together those with him and launched an offensive. This battle went on for four days and many fell on each side. At this time the Boers kept on fighting but although they were covered behind and on the English fronts they had no defences before them. Suddenly the Boers saw General French and his army on the road ahead of them. The Boer army was completely surrounded and there was no way out. Many, many of those people died. General Cronje asked the English to stop the fighting for 24 hours so that they could bury their dead. But the English had not forgotten the treachery of the Boers and General Kitchen replied: ‘We shan’t give you one minute. Fight on or give yourselves up to the English as prisoners. The Boers asked twice. The English answered once. The Boers did not consent to the English demand. General Roberts then gave the command to bring up cannons to fire on the Boers. Fifity cannons fired on the Boer stronghold. It seemed there would be nothing left of this Boer army. Some of the Boers fled to the English side. They told of huge losses on the Boer side. Many wished to give themselves up as prisoners of the English but General Cronje would not permit this. He said he would fight to the death. General Cronje is a brave man but his attitude led him to sacrifice his men because there was no escape. His wife pleaded with him to save the lives of his men but General Cronje did not agree.

General Buller attacked the Boer positions around Ladysmith and many Boers were killed. We reckon that General Buller arrived at Ladysmith some two miles ahead of his army. General Buller had the advantage insofar as some of the Boer soldiers had left Ladysmith to help General Cronje.

As we see it the news from the war will be different in the near future. We expect the relief of Ladysmith and the defeat of General Cronje.

APPENDIX CONCERNING THE WAR

The English Government has allocated £200,000,000 for the progressing of the war in Africa up until the end of April.

Then the English will see more clearly the extent of this war and will make an assessment. The number of soldiers for Africa has been raised to 200,000.

Steyn, the spokesman for the Orange Free State has arrived in Pretoria. This man and all his people are helping the Boers. The purpose of his visit to Pretoria is to consult with Kruger the Boer spokesman concerning the conduct of the war.

Kruger and Steyn enquired of General Joubert why he remained where he was and did not attack the English. General Joubert replied: ‘Come here, both of you, and see General Buller’s 100 guns; how could we attack?’

[8]

 We have spoken before of the two Boer generals who have died, Botha and Koch. Two English generals have also died, Simon and Wauchop.

An armoured train has been prepared for the assault on Pretoria. However the English have not yet reached Pretoria.

Some earth-working machinery has been sent to Africa. This will ensure that fewer soldiers will be killed as they construct earthworks.

It is remarkable how quickly English soldiers reach Africa. There are more than 50 ships carrying soldiers. It is remarkable because Africa is 6,000 miles from England. Some other great powers do not achieve this. In the battle for Cuba it was a whole year before 200,000 Spanish soldiers arrived.

The English are eager to get to war wherever it is in the world. Even in difficult time, this is how they go about things.

According to an officer from Hanover who is fighting for the Boers, there are 10,000 soldiers from Europe fighting on the Boer side, including 300 officers.

A company of English marines has been sent to Africa.

In the middle of the battle of Modder River two Pakeha spotted each other. One was on the Boer side, the other on the English side. They were formerly friends and did not wish to kill each other. They both got up and shook hands. In the evening the one on the English side was shot for fraternising with the enemy.

THE DEATH OF THE SON OF GENERAL ROBERTS

We spoke of General Roberts in the last edition of our bird. He comes from a long line of warriors, and his son was not averse to this tradition. General Roberts had one son and from infancy he wanted to take up his father’s sword and to follow in the footsteps of his ancestors. When he grew up he participated in some battles and was observed to be very courageous. He was awarded medals for bravery. In one battle he was struck in the pupil and the eye was taken out, but he did not regard this as a great hardship, and he went into battle with only one eye. General Roberts was proud of this aspect of his son’s character.

At the start of the war in Africa, Roberts (junior) asked to be sent to the war. This was agreed and it was arranged that he serve under General Simon. However General Simon had died before he arrived in Africa and he served under General Buller.

At General Buller’s first battle at Tugela River the English were defeated. Roberts was there as one of the young officers. In the midst of the battle it was observed that one company of the English had been badly hit. The horses pulling the big guns and most of the gunners had been killed. The survivors had fled to safe places to take refuge. When Roberts saw that the guns had been abandoned he was very angry. He called some of his officer friends to go and retrieve the guns.

Three went taking horses to haul them. He paid no attention to the bullets but shouted loudly to encourage his friends. They retrieved two guns before he was shot. They were not able to bring back more of those guns and 10 were captured by the Boers.

In General Buller’s report of the battle he praised the bravery of a young officer but did not know his name. Later he found that the man was Roberts, and that he was lying in hospital. He was greatly praised but he did not live long because his wounds were severe. Before his death the Victoria Cross was pinned on his chest. (This is the highest English award for bravery.) He was very pleased that his friends who helped him were also given the award before he died. Although he died, his name has its place in the list of those who have won the Victoria Cross.

On the day he heard of his son’s death, General Roberts also heard that he was to take charge of the war in Africa. People had great sympathy with General Roberts on the death of his son. Now he is Africa where he can avenge the death of his son.

[9] 

GREAT WARS

Accounts of England’s battles are not confined but have reached the four corners of the earth. Her rivals are gratified; France is happy and Russia rejoices. But England is not concerned. She declares that she will fight this war to the very end. This is a very great war as witness that since the beginning until now a total of 10,000 English have died, been injured, or been taken prisoner. Although many English have fallen it is not our wish that the war be abandoned. Whether long or short, there is only one outcome for this war, namely the raising of the Queen’s flag over Pretoria and the bringing of Transvaal under English rule.

But let our thoughts go back to the recent major wars in Europe which are comparable to this war. Napoleon fought great battles. In 1805 he fought Russia and Austria at Austerlitz. Russia and Austria lost 30,000. In 1806 he fought Germany at Jena. 20,000 Germans died and 20,000 were taken prisoner while 14,000 of his soldiers died in this battle. In 1815 he fought with the English at Waterloo. Of the English and all her allies, 22,976 died, but we know that at this battle Napoleon was finally defeated and taken prisoner. In the American Civil War, 15,000 on each side fell at Gettysburg. In the war against Austria in 1859, the French and Sardinians lost 8 generals, 936 officers and 17,305 soldiers while the Austrians lost 630 officers and 19,311 soldiers. In the war between Russia and the Turks (1877-78), 90,000 Russians died in twelve months. There was a battle between Austria and Germany on 3rd July, 1866, at Sadowa. 400,000 men took part in this battle. The Germans attacked before dawn. By evening 40,000 Austrians had died and 20,000 had been taken prisoner; 10,000 Germans had died.

In 1870 there was a war between Germany and France. This war avenged the defeat of Germany by Napoleon of which we wrote above, along with other attacks on Germany by the French, and the French were humiliated. The German General was Moltke. In the course of eight months (August 1870 – March 1871) 350,000 French were killed, the same number as the total number of English in Africa at present along with some more to reach that number. How terrible has been this foreign anger! It is said that 127,967 Germans fell in this war. There have been other great wars but we have spoken of these to show that although this is a major war taking place in Africa now, compared with those we’ve spoken of it can hardly be called a war. These were wars of which it could be proverbially said, ‘the ship sailed in blood’.

THE MEETING AT TE KAHA

Archdeacon Williams’ Challenge

On the same day advertised in Hikataurewa’s invitation, 7th January, a hui was held for the consecration of the church at Te Kaha. It did not matter who the strangers were who came to Te Kaha, they did not fail to praise the appearance of that village and the stature of the people as agriculturalists. Every piece of flat ground in the village has been cultivated, as much perhaps as 2,000 acres. The gardens are not fenced but all the animals are tethered. I came with the party from Ngati Porou. When we neared the village we raised our flag. The whole flag is of silk, a token of love from Apirana Ngata to Tuhoe. The first greeting to our group was vocal: ‘Welcome! Welcome!’ Afterwards there was an action song, and after that a poi dance. This was the outstanding thing. There were three ranks of poi: when the first rank finished the second came forward and when the second finished, the third. There were little children in the third rank. The girls looked good; their dress was excellent as was their command of the poi. Their performance was great! The skirts of the Whanau-a-Apanui girls were red, their tops white, and their girdles of silk. They were becoming to look at. The poi is one of our precious Maori traditions and not to be lost. ‘Tipi-whenua’s’ thought were distracted by the plumes of the poi!

[10] 

The representatives who came to the gathering were Maui, Awemapara, Te Koroni, Kahukura, Pohutu, Te Wheuki, Hika-taurewa, Tawhaki, Te Tahi, and the Te Aute Association. There was great delight when Ngati-awa, that is ‘Te Tahi’, arrived at this gathering and at the generosity of their donation. It is our heart’s desire that all the people of the East Coast work together in furthering the Faith.

The parties arrived on 6th and on Sunday 7th the new church was opened and called St Paul’s. This church is beautifully built and finished; nothing has been forgotten. It is large and beautiful. The outstanding feature is the minister’s pulpit. The ministers who opened the church were Mr Maunsell, Hone Waitoa, Aperahama Tamihere, Timutimu Tawhai, and Hakaraia Pahewa (of the parish of Te Kaha). One of these men was educated at St Stephen’s, three at Te Aute. The preacher was Mr Maunsell. The hymns were from Ngati Porou and Ngaitai and they were assisted by children from Te Aute and Hukarere. After the service there was the Lord’s Supper at which 54 people communicated. On the Monday the plate was passed around and raised £116. The total collected was £188.

It was this hui that had the great honour of responding first to Archdeacon William’s challenge to the Diocese of Waiapu to raise £2,000, to which he would add £1,000, as sustenance for Maori ministry. £22 was raised, with Te Aute giving £2. The Parish of Te Kaha has thus begun a great work, a work to be copied by other gatherings. Archdeacon Williams has laid down his challenge and this diocese has bestirred itself. The Diocese of Auckland has already started the collection.

‘Tipi-whenua’ was pleased to arrive at this lovely gathering - there was no flaws, nothing. The Committee were determined to ban alcohol and that no drunk person should be seen on the marae. During the days the gathering was held I did not see one drunk person and as a result the children and women were happy with nothing at all to fear. It was different during Christmas and the New Year in the Te Uranga-o-te-ra district when beer was the food and casks of beer were opened on the marae as food for adults and children, and at the gathering at Te Kaha, Te Uranga-o-te-ra were swamped by all the other representatives. Righteousness elevates authorities, peoples, and individuals.

I finish my article here. My body is far away but my thoughts are still at Te Kaha watching the twirl of the poi.

‘I reach Waikawa and look back,

alas, at my beloved Te Kaha.’

That’s enough,

From ‘Tipi-whenua’.

THE RAILWAY FOR GISBORNE

The Turning of the First Turf.

We have written in the previous flight of our bird about the railway being built to Gisborne. On Wednesday 14th February there was a large gathering here in Gisborne. The purpose of the gathering was to mark the beginning of the work on the railway by the turning of the first turf. Three Government ministers came to honour the occasion: Hon. Ward, Minister of Railways, Hon. Hall-Jones, Minister for Public Works, and Hon. Timi Kara, Minister for Maori Affairs. Some other members of Parliament came: A L D Fraser, MP for Napier and Mr Stevens, MP for Manawatu. There was a telegram from the Prime Minister expressing his sorrow that he could not be present because of many demands.

There was an extraordinary downpour on the morning of that day but by midday it was fine although the ground was still saturated and the streets muddy. This explains why there were not a great many people. [?otira he pakatua] we estimate that there were more than 2,000 people. Before it was time to go to the site, people both Maori and Pakeha, were milling around. At the arranged time our group stood up and the bands played as they marched and a great many flags flew. When we arrived at the place chosen for the railway station our party stopped and the local people welcomed the visitors.

When the welcome was finished, Hon. Ward, Minister of Railways, turned the first turf to the applause of those gathered there. Because there were so many people most were not able to get near those who spoke and not a word was heard and only the nodding heads of the speakers could be seen. [11] The speeches had not been finished when a downpour began. It was not just a few drops at the beginning but it kept pouring down. Those who had thought about it had brought coats but most of us had come believing mistakenly that it would not rain. The town was reminded of the saying of Taharakau, ‘Above is near’ [see Nga Pepeha 244]. It was not long before we were soaked and the speeches were put off until the evening. It was a remarkable thing the way those caught in the storm dashed here and there trying to find shelter wherever they could, even in the town. This was an auspicious beginning for the railway to be built, with blessings pouring down like rain.

The Evening Meeting

Many people came to the Theatre to listen to the speeches by the Government ministers.

Hon. Ward was full of praise for the enterprise which had begun. His desire was that it be finished quickly and he would support it in the House of Parliament. He regretted that Gisborne had been so long without a railway. The land here is very fertile and all kinds of productivity are increasing. When the railway is built many people will throng here.

Afterwards the Honourable Hall-Jones spoke saying that Gisborne has the most productive land in the colony. The East Coast is developing rapidly. In 1890, Gisborne sent 8,827 bales of wool to England. But in the year 1898 that had grown to 21,405. The same applies to frozen mutton. In 1890, 39,827 frozen sheep carcases were sent to England. But in the year 1898 this had increased to 157,000. He went on to make remarks praising the building of the railway and pledging his support. Others who spoke were Mr A L D Fraser, MHR, Mr Stevens, MHR, Mr Theo Cooper, an Auckland lawyer, Mr Kettle from Napier, and the Honourable Timi Kara.

SOME SHORT SERMONS FROM TE PIPIWHARAUROA

There was a large ship sailing between England and America. On board that ship lay a sick man. The captain of the ship was a good man and he cared for that sick man. He did not look after him because he hoped for some reward. No, this was the captain’s nature. Some years later that man died. The captain was surprised to find his name on a cable and in the cable was £15,000 and an explanation of why the money had been sent to him. What does this teach? We do not know what good will come to us as a result of the good we do.

There was a soldier, a believer, fighting in Africa. In recent days he was involved in an offensive. Before the charge he put his Bible inside his jacket. During the fighting he felt that he had been hit in the chest by an enemy bullet. When he looked he found that the bullet had not penetrated the Bible and therefore he had survived. What does this teach? Hold on to the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God.

At the coronation of Edward VI there were brought to him the swords of all the dominions under him, England, Scotland, Ireland and France. But the King said, ‘One sword is missing’. His people were disturbed. Then he said, ‘It is the Sword of God, the Bible.’ What does this teach? The sword is a weapon for fighting battles, so the Bible is the Sword of God with which we can fight with strength the battle against the world, the flesh and the devil. The Bible was the sword which Christ used when he defeated the Devil in Matthew 4.

One day a minister in England was visiting the sick in his parish. He came to a small cottage and knocked on the door. He heard a woman’s sweet voice calling out, ‘Come in’. When he entered he saw a woman dressed in black reading a portion of scripture to the sick one. When she finished reading she prayed. After praying she said goodbye to the sick one and went out. The minister was greatly astounded. What was the cause of his astonishment? The woman was Queen Victoria. It is a sign of the greatness of the Queen. What does this teach? It is goodness and righteousness that exalt one. True faith and undefiled is to visit the widow and the orphan in their affliction and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. [James 1.27]

[12] 

THE WAR IN THE PHILIPPINES

We have heard that the Americans have captured the wife of Aguinaldo and his younger brother along with some of the Philippine officers. Many Filipinos want the war to end swiftly. They are no longer prepared to follow Aguinaldo following recent frequent defeats. They say that Aguinaldo will be taken prisoner not long after his followers. Aguinaldo and his followers have shown great strength, though they are not a very numerous people. This war has been going on for a long time and many Americans too have been casualties. The total number of dead, injured or captured in the war is more than 10,000. However, although he has been defeated, Aguinaldo goes down not as a slave but as a chief, as one who fights like a shark.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Te Whaiti, January 25th, 1900.

To the Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa.

Friend, Greetings, as one involved in great works for the Colony of New Zealand. May God bless us. Bless you and your committee. O Bird, Te Pipiwharauroa, carry my words on your back, you who go to the four corners of Aotearoa, that my friends and relations may see them. We have suffered a devastating disaster here. The cause was frost. All our food has been stricken – potatoes, corn, tobacco and other native foods. Friends and relations, the food that remains is but clouds of sky and wind. The children’s food is ice. Tears of compassion well up in people’s eyes.

Send Te Pipiwharauroa to me, and make clear to me also how to provide for its well-being.

Enough.

From Horowai Meihana.

Mohaka, 23rd January 1900.

To the Editor of Te Pipi.

Friend, Greeting in the blessings of our Creator which have protected us in the past and which continue right up to this new year.

Greetings to you, Pipi, carrying words which give pleasure to small and great, carrying words that bring strength to the heart, bringing them to each marae.

It was from you that I learned of the death of Eruera Kawhia. Farewell, sir, to the place prepared for us. But go in the light because you have laid hold of all the ways that make a person of integrity.

You have indeed achieved the side of the Spirit. You have also fulfilled your physical potential. This scripture surely applies to you: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, etc.’ (Rev. 14.13)

Farewell, plume of Ngati Porou. You leave your marae to guide the canoe of our ancestor, Tuteihonga, if we are thinking of our human descent.

But spiritually you have been the steersman of Noah’s Ark which came to rest on Mount Ararat. You mastered both paths, fulfilling your life spiritually and physically.

So we are sad at heart that you have so soon departed, and what is to be done? ‘The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ [Job 1.21] It come to this so, sir, farewell, farewell.

 ‘Float, cloud, above Tawhiti 
You are going away to the place of my delight,
Even the place where you alight below,
Turning away from me.’

I lament greatly for my father, for Eruera Kawhia, but I must end here lest I weary you.

From your loving friend,

Rev. Hemi P Huata.

NOTICE

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

SUPPLEJACK SEEDS FOR OUR BIRD

£1.00 St Stephen’s, Auckland

10/- Paea Kingi

6/- Hori Emore

5/- Nikora Tautau, Rewi Haapu, Hemi Ratapu, Wetini Rikirangi, Winiata Te Rapu, Hakere Paraone, Keepa Tuaniho, Mr Kelly, Eruera Rongomai, Rev Jennings, Tipi Houkamau,Maihi te Koa, Wiremu Hunia, Enoka Rukuata, Wiremu Waaka, Ed Stuart, Herewini Waata, Mr Booth

3/- F R Wykes, H H, R K, H T Kaperiere

2/6 Miss Baker, Mr King, Te Manihera, M Paweherua

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1/- Hoani te Rama

H W Williams, Te Rau Press, Gisborne