Te Pipiwharauroa 27

Te Pipiwharauroa 27

No.27

1900/05/01

(Maori Version at NZETC)

[1] Te Pipiwharauroa, He Kupu Whakamarama, Number 27, Gisborne, May 1900

THE GOVERNOR’S DINNER FOR ST STEPHEN’S SCHOOL

On 4th May the Governor and his wife held a dinner for the young people of St Stephen’s School, Auckland. Sixty young people went to the Governor’s residence along with their teachers and the school administrators. Before the dinner some of the young people walked around the Governor’s garden. At the dinner, after the toast honouring the Queen the young people sang the song in praise of the Queen, ‘God save the Queen’.

After the dinner all went to Queen Street Wharf where there was a launch to carry the Maori party and the Governor and his friends to the warship HMS Pylades.

Captain Tapa (?Tubb) made much of the Governor’s visit to his ship and he showed the Governor and his friends over all parts of the ship and introduced the capable crew. These latter took the Maori boys around. There was no place they did not see. They were particularly interested in the mouths of the gun barrels. When the time came for the Governor to return ashore with his party a gun was fired in honour of the Governor, the spokesman of the Queen. Then they boarded the launch to return to the estuary.

When they arrived at the Governor’s residence the Governor’s household once again laid out food and, although awed by the grandeur of the chiefly residence, they set about the food eagerly.

When tea was finished, all went into the hall where the students of St Stephen’s stood and performed exercises skilfully with hands and feet. Their caller was their teacher Karoro and their performance was ‘wicked’! As they were throwing their steel balls they sang Maori song of greetings to the Governor. The Pakeha applauded loudly. Many Pakeha songs were sung but the one that elicited most applause was the most popular with Pakeha in these days, ‘The Soldiers of the Queen’. When I was in Wellington at the departure for the war of the First New Zealand Contingent this was the song one heard most often. It was played by bands, sung by people and whistled by boys. The final song by the St Stephen’s boys was ‘Goodnight’.

Makimare (? McMurray) the minister of Parnell, one of the Governors of St Stephen’s, rose to thank Lord and Lady Ranfurly and their daughters for their kindness to the St Stephen’s young people. He also said that tomorrow the kindness of the Governor will be known in every Maori village. This Governor is praised by all people and perhaps a petition should be made that he should stay in New Zealand for several more years. When the black children from the Islands arrived the Governor gave a dinner for them. This gathering concluded with the song for the Queen. The Auckland newspapers said is was an excellent gathering.

Because of sickness one of the St Stephen’s boys did not come to this celebration but the Governor and his wife showed their consideration by sending him a book and some grapes. ‘Long live the Governor! God bless the Queen!’

 Tipi-whenua.

[2] THE MACHINE FOR SENDING SPEECH

We have described some of the working of the machine which transmits speech without wires. This is the great wonder of our times. Here I speak of some of the many achievements of this device, but first let me point out how speech travels afar. I cannot give a full explanation but I can give an outline.

How speech travels. 

If a stone is thrown into a small lake, the water is disturbed and the ripples go out in circles from the place the stone submerged. At first the ripples are small but gradually they become larger and spread out to reach the land on the shores of the lake. Speech travels through space in a similar way. In the machine is power, electricity, as in telegraph machines and telephones. The lake of which we have spoken above is like any place; the water is like the air. When a person speaks into the machine the electricity in the machine creates ripples in the air. These waves in the air travel until they strike a machine held by another person. It pulsates with pulses the same as those of the speech which has been sent and the substance of the speech is conveyed!

Sixty-six miles at sea.

The name of the man who built this device is Marconi. When the English yacht ‘Shamrock’ raced against the American yacht ‘Columbia’ for the World Cup, ‘Shamrock was beaten, and Marconi it was who conveyed to the press people on land the account of the race while the boats were sailing the ocean. Marconi was on a ship. When he was returning from America to England, the many passengers were impatient to hear up-to-date news of the fighting in Transvaal because many of them at sea had had no news. The ship was 66 miles out at sea when Marconi’s device picked up news of the war sent from a transmitter on land. Other news was also received. Marconi was able to report that all the passengers were well and the passengers were able to send messages to their friends on shore. One man told his friend to prepare a dinner for his arrival. When the ship was 45 miles from land, Marconi had printed in the ship’s paper all the messages sent to land. The paper was sold for 4s 2d and the money given to charity. What things the Pakeha does! Who of you will the Pakeha follow?

A wrecked ship.

This is another example of the work of this Pakeha wonder. At the entrance, the delta of the Thames, the great English river, stands London. At that entrance are some sandbanks on the seacoast. Every year ships are wrecked on these sandbanks. The Government placed a lightship on these sandbanks to warn shipping. During one great storm, because of the thickness of the fog, the lightship could not be seen and a ship grounded on the sands, Because it could not be seen from the shore a message was sent by this transmitter on the lightship in the fog: ‘A large ship has been wrecked. Send lifeboats.’ When the message was received on land a lifeboat able to combat the wind and waves was launched. It could not be seen but it was known by those on the ship that a lifeboat was coming in the fog. Eventually the butting prow brought them in sight of the passengers and sailors and they knew they would be saved.

Send a call.

You who still live in sin, do you not know that you are drowning in eternal death? If you do know, be swift to utter in the transmitter of your heart a call to heaven, like the call each person makes: ‘O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ [Luke 18.13] Although God is surrounded by the hosts of heaven he is calling the whole world to himself. He inclines his ear to hear your cry when it comes from the heart. His heart is overcome with love. But, friend, salvation is not far away, not in the heavens or the depths, but it is at your side. ‘Do not say within your heart, Who will climb up to heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down), or Who will go down to the depths (that is, to fetch Christ up from amongst the dead). What then? The word is near you, in your mouth, in your heart. It is indeed the word of faith which we proclaim. So if you assent with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from death, you will be saved. If with the heart you believe you will be justified; if with the mouth you confess, you will be saved.’ (Romans 10.6-10). 

R T M K

[3]  

ETERNAL LIFE

‘Ensure that what we hear and what we think is right and learn from these words.’

I. What is Eternal Life? Some people answer this question in this way: ‘Eternal life is life that goes on and on for ever.’ Some say that it means that the body will never die, and so they say: ‘Why then have believing people died?’ This is a childish way of thinking. Some people say that eternal life is the life achieved by believing people following the day of judgement. This is what most people believe. This way of thinking may have diminished people’s commitment to faith. They surmise that the reward of faith is in the distant future and they are doubtful as to whether, when the day of judgement comes and they die, belief will be of no avail. They are right also to think this way. What person then will do agreeable things if he does not think that he will be rewarded for his works? Tertullian, a pillar of the Church in the days shortly after the Apostles, said, ‘Deeds will be irresolute if the reward is uncertain.’

We ask again the question, ‘What is eternal life?’ Let us look carefully at the Scriptures and at what Christ taught. Christ said, ‘This is eternal life, that they should know you, who alone are the true God, and also Jesus Christ who was sent by you.’ [John 17.3] So, friend, it is clear that eternal life is to know God and also Jesus Christ. Rely on what the Scriptures have taught and do not go on relying on what you think eternal life is or perhaps on what people have taught you it is. Eternal life, everlasting life, is the life of God who alone has eternal life. This life he gave you on the very day, at the hour, at the minute even, when you believed on him and on his Son Jesus Christ. Christ also said, ‘No one comes to the Father apart from me’ (John 14.6).

Eternal life is knowing God There is absolutely nothing better.  Now for a different question: Have you perhaps come to know God? Let me clarify the intention of my question. Have you perhaps come to know Queen Victoria? True, you have heard of her name, you have heard of her deeds, of her appearance, but you do not know her. Just hearing is not to know. Many people have seen the Queen but they do not know her. Likewise, friend, you have heard of Christ, of his words, of his deeds, of his death, but this is not to know him. To know him is to be aware of his voice, of his thoughts, of his desires, and to cling to him. You may see the Queen if someone who knows her takes you and shows her to you and, in the same way, you will not see God if you are not led by Christ. This is the purpose of his words mentioned above. He is the Go-between. ‘There is one God and one Mediator between God and humanity, the man Jesus Christ’ (1 Timothy 2.5). He is the Go-between between God and mankind. You know now what eternal life is: lay hold of it  [?kei werawera ana, kei awatea ana ka rua].

II. When can a person possess eternal Life? 

My short answer to this question is this. ‘Right now’. If eternal life is knowing God then at the time a person comes to know him he possesses eternal life. It is possible for a person to know God right now. Also, if a person does not befriend God in this world he will be fearful of him in the next. The very time when a person trusts in Christ as his Saviour is the time he enters into eternal life, his soul is saved. What says the Scripture? ‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,’ that is, he has eternal life now. (John 3.16; 6.47) ‘Whoever has the Son has life; whoever has not the Son has not life’ (John 5.11-13). If you accept Christ now then this is when you will possess life, now not just in the present world or in the age to come. Christ says that whoever believes has passed from death to life. (John 5.24) ‘Has passed’ – he is not saying will pass in the future. But the fullness of eternal life is the raising of the body by its being joined to the Spirit and saved by faith. Later I will elaborate on this.

III. What must a person do to possess eternal life? (This will be answered later.)

[4]  

QUEEN VICTORIA

On 24th of this month our Queen reached the age of 81. The day was celebrated in all places under her dominion. It is right that we know the genealogy, the story, the achievements, and the appearance of this elderly lady who governs over us, the head of the remarkable empire which extends throughout the world, of which it is said, ‘On which the sun never sets.’

In the year 1819 Queen Victoria was born. She was eighteen when her uncle, William IV, died. On June 20th, 1837, she became Queen. When she was told that she was Queen while she was still a child, she wept. Tennyson wrote a song about her: ‘The Tears of the Queen’. In 1840 she married her cousin, Prince Albert, from one of the German states. He died in the year 1861 and thousands of his people throughout the world grieved.

The first Jubilee of the Queen in 1887 celebrated her fifty years as Queen. 1897 was her Diamond Jubilee when she had been queen for sixty years, longer than George III. Of all the kings and queens of England the Queen is the one who has reigned longest, so June 20th, 1897 was specially celebrated throughout her dominions and Maori soldiers landed in England on that day. Starting with William and up to Queen Victoria there have been thirty-seven kings and queens of England. There have been five queens – Mary I, Elizabeth, Mary II, Anne, and Victoria.

The Queen has nine children: Victoria married Frederick III, King of Prussia and Emperor of Germany, father of William II, the present Emperor of Germany; Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who will succeed the Queen as King, married Alexandra, daughter of the King of Denmark; Alice has died; Alfred, Duke of Edinbugh, who came to New Zealand in 1869; Helena; Louise; Arthur, Duke of Connaught; a soldier; Leopold has died; and the last is Beatrice; four men and five women. Since Victor, the son of the Prince of Wales, died in 1982, Prince George the Duke of York, a sailor, will be King after the Prince of Wales. The Queen has many grandchildren; she also has great-grandchildren. Some people may not know that the Queen has an adopted Maori son, the child of Pomare of Ngapuhi. The child was born when the parents went to visit the Queen who named him Albert. The last time that child was heard of he was on a battleship. The Queen’s husband died in 1861. He was an excellent man, keen to do things to enhance the prestige of his wife. He is spoken of as Albert the Good.

The Queen is a very small woman, short and round. She is a wise woman. She is a good portrait painter and she knows many languages. She is a woman of faith from her childhood and has taught her children to follow in her footsteps. Many tributes are paid to the Queen. One of her residences is in Scotland, in the countryside. Near her house is the cottage of a very old lady. The cottage is like a Maori house. The Queen makes a practice of going to visit that old lady; they often eat together and pray together. A passer-by heard the voice of a woman praying in the old woman’s house and was astounded to find it was the Queen, the greatest queen in the world. It is something to praise God for that every morning and evening the Queen kneels before ‘The King of kings and Lord of lords.’ So England’s sphere of influence and standing have increased!

‘The Empire on which the sun never sets.’ As England continues to be faithful to God so God will be faithful to England and she will hold on to her strength, her influence and her standing. ‘Righteousness exults a people,’ says Solomon. [Proverbs 14.34] There are some people who believe that by despising the faith they will succeed. Sirs, it is not something insignificant. Be first and foremost aware that it is God who brings about a person’s downfall lest you fall yourselves.

We, the Maori, must be thankful for our good fortune in coming under the jurisdiction of England; had the French, the Russians, or the Spaniards become our rulers the position of the Maori would be very different in these days. Therefore, people, let us pray to the Almighty, ‘Look with favour on our gracious sovereign, Queen Victoria,’ with heartfelt prayer and with hope, because our prayers have been answered over the past many years; and let us sing for the Queen with open mouths and free hearts, [5] ‘God save the Queen’.

God Save the Queen

God save our gracious Queen that she may live.

Make her strong, happy and joyful, that she may continue to reign for ages.

As for her enemies, bring their bravery to nothing and break them. May you frustrate their gatherings.

God save our gracious Queen.

Give her the very best things and all respect.

May she be queen for a long time and a source of joy.

Raise your voice and say, God save her.

[It would be a good thing for Maori children to learn this song to sing on the important days for our dominion such as the Queen’s Birthday and other days perhaps decreed by the Governor. All the children in England learn this song in their own language.]

Reweti T Mokena Kohere

THE DIVISIONS OF TIME

Time is a unique thing; it is also something that goes on continually without beginning or end. However there are many divisions of time which one can speak about: here someone sees this time as significant, whereas another thinks a different occasion marks the beginning of a significant period. Each day’s work, thoughts, quarrels, disturbances, sufferings, and joys, whether large or threatening or painful or bringing delight to the eyes, that demand our close attention, are not insignificant things to the eye which is looking to the past and the future and to either side, and seeking to bring all these things together in one resting-place.

Perhaps these ideas may not be clear to some readers of Te Pipiwharauroa because they emerge from my subconscious mind. Let me explain. The arrival of Captain Cook marked a division in time. Before that we had the long threshold of Maori culture when things were done in Maori fashion and there was nothing at all to disturb this. After this, things Maori were invaded by Pakeha things. The new ways met the old and there was conflict. There was also accommodation and new ways grew on the graves of the old. From the time of Captain Cook to the present is a long time incorporating other significant times but one thing unites everything that happened over this long period, namely, Pakeha things have gone from strength to strength and continue to go ever upwards while things Maori weaken and decline. Some say that the time is near when this period will end with the disappearance of all things Maori and the survival of only things Pakeha.

But look carefully at those last words. Let us not be blind to some of the things of this world which are seen as established. Few things in this world are unchanging. Most of the deeds, the speeches, the thoughts of this world are superficial, and only adjuncts to what is lasting. See how people think that it is essential to feed the body that it might live. It is the important thing. But the food used for this purpose differs from people to people and from generation to generation. In this regard, think of the history of the root found amongst the ferns; it is a long time since it was used though if we are hungry we still eat it. And perhaps some Maori practices, some Maori ideas, will be spoken of as having permanence by future generations if we of this generation see to it. The question arises from the deep desires of the heart: looking at the trees, whether puriri, totara, manuka, kotukutuku or others, when the fire strikes them their weak members become cinders and ashes. And will our members not suffer the same? We are in the fire now. Will there be a remnant or just cinders and ashes? (?He pakatua ra!) Apirana T Ngata.

THE WAR IN TRANSVAAL

Only news issued by the War Office is published in Te Pipiwharauroa.

Winburg

When Roberts took Bloemfontein, the capital of the Orange Free State, Steyn, the leader of that land and all those who sympathised with him, fled to the north towards Pretoria and stayed at Winburg which became the principal town for the government of the Orange Free State. [6] Roberts stayed for a long time in Bloemfontein for several reasons. His purpose was to consolidate his achievements (lit. make firm the stepping places of his feet). He offered peace to the local people if they would submit to place themselves under the shadow of England. Thousands of people of the Orange Free State heard Roberts and came bringing their guns and all other weapons used in the war and made a heap of them before Roberts. This was a very good thing. Had Roberts not offered peace to that land these thousands of men would still be fighting against the English today.

Another reason Roberts stayed so long in Bloemfontein was to await the thousands of horses sent to replace those that had been killed. He also awaited warm clothing for his soldiers because the Pretoria area is very cold being high above sea-level.

When all was ready Hamilton advanced. Having prepared so well who could stand in his presence? The sword of Roberts would not return without results.

It was not long before Winburg fell and Steyn and his men had to find another place to hide. They stopped at Kroonstadt , nearly sixty miles from Winburg towards Pretoria. After some days this fort also fell to Roberts’ army, and Steyn and his army fled. Many died or were taken prisoner. They gave in before the English; seeing them they realised the futility of fighting. Steyn was close to holding out here. Some hours after his departure, Roberts’ army entered the fort to the sounds of the marching Scottish bands, with flags being carried, and surrounded by gunsmoke. It is said that it was like a party. What things you accomplish, you English! How great is your stature! Who will defeat you? Steyn and his people are still fleeing before Roberts. It was indeed because Tawheta fled that he survived! [cf Nga Pepeha 1966]

General Buller

For a long time General Buller’s position was unknown but now we know his movements. His work has been to prevent the Boers from breaking out in the East lest they descend on Natal, an English province. He retreated to the area west of Ladysmith on the instructions of Roberts because Natal was completely free of the enemy. Perhaps he will follow Roberts into the Orange Free State. This is a very good plan. Roberts need have no concern for his rear as Buller is there to attack any enemy who attempts to attack from behind. Roberts’ sights are set on Pretoria.

The Relief of Mafeking

Ears have been waiting, hearts have been hoping, spirits have been praying, for the relief of Mafeking. Now, people, cheer with loud voices, Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! On Friday 18th telegrams arrived from the Portuguese Offices at Delagoa Bay declaring that Mafeking had been relieved. However, because it did not emerge from the War Office, there was not a great expression of joy, but it was subdued until it was confirmed. But some towns did not wait. Bells rang out, steamers whistled, bands came on to the streets playing, flags were raised, soldiers paraded, schools were closed, and shops shut. Leaders made speeches, crowds shouted and sang in the streets. To put it briefly, they were intoxicated with such great joy. Eventually, on the Saturday it was confirmed that Mafeking had been relieved and celebrations intensified in all the Queen’s domains. A telegram came from one town saying, ‘The whole town is drunk with happiness.’ Ngati Kahungunu did a haka at Wairoa . Ngati Oneone did a war dance at Gisborne. It was organised by the chap from Te Mango Nihoniho here. It was very great day for the English.

The relief of Mafeking makes little difference to the war, but it would have been detrimental to the standing of England had it fallen to the Boers. People were greatly amazed at the bravery of that town given that there were so few soldiers defending it. There were 800 soldiers in Mafeking at the beginning of the battle. In the course of it some were wounded, some were struck down with fever, many also fell ill, so that the remainder numbered 600. This is the force which fought thousands of Boers. Should the wonder of thousands of people also be small?

On 9th October the fight against the Boers began. On 13th Mafeking was attacked by thousands of Boers. By 17th May it had survived more than seven months. [7] It is a very small town, standing alone, not far from Pretoria. Because the blades of weapons were raised against it, they built a fortification. The guns were widely spaced. But Powell’s brain was more than able to deal with this. He had a battle train built to circumnavigate the town to divert the enemy. The town was encircled by the Boers but they were not able to get in to Powell. The Boers were outside, sickness and hunger were inside. It was eating horses and donkeys that extended their days. Each day each person received a quarter of the food that would normally be appropriate for one day. The children and women were most distressed but there was no crying or muttering though there was continuing longing. When the big guns of the Boers were firing then one heard the warning sounds of the sentry and the women and children disappeared into their bunkers like crabs. Many armies came to relieve Mafeking from the north and from the south; the army that liberated it came secretly from Kimberley. Powell took captive some senior Boer officers. Mafeking was liberated and hearts were content and happy. But the supreme glory must go to the bravest man, the man said by the black people never to sleep, that is, Colonel Baden-Powell. The Queen has honoured Colonel Baden-Powell by promoting him to Major-General. ‘Now, give to all what is due to them … honour to whom honour is due’. [Romans 13.7]

A Prayer for the Time of War

Bishop Williams of Waiapu has provided this prayer for use in churches after the Prayer of Chrysostom.

Almighty God, ruler of all the nations and bring wars to an end in all parts of the earth. We beseech you to bring to an end quickly the fighting in the south of Africa. Make the wrath of men a means to realise your good will and further your rule. Bring swiftly the time when people will not raise the sword against people and bring to an end the study of war. Grant this through the merits and the mercy of the Prince of Peace, your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

IN MEMORY OF JAMES BOOTH

We were greatly saddened when we heard that James Booth, Judge, had entered upon his long rest on the night of Monday, 14th May, at his home at Makaraka. He went peacefully and unblemished, his path wet with the tears of the people, Pakeha and Maori. Farewell, Sir! You are vanished from the streets of Gisborne; you will not be seen on your peak of Manukokako; you are separated from the gaze of Ngati Porou. Though you are blessed in your departing, loneliness and sadness are your legacy to your wife, your family, and all the people. When he returned from Waiapu he was afflicted by influenza and subsequent complications. He was aged 70 when he died. Mr Booth came from England to preach the Gospel to the Maori people. On the outbreak of fighting at Whanganui he and his family were taken prisoner by the Hauhau. They were rescued by the goodness of a young chief, Hori Patene. At the battle at Hiruharama on the Whanganui, Mr Booth and some Maori brought gunpowder by canoe from the town 50 miles away. Because of his bravery and capability he was honoured by the Government and made a Judge. This judge was assuredly the right person for this area as he knew the language and Maori customs. The Maori committees honour him. Who will announce, who will designate, a new judge like him, unique perhaps. Perhaps there will be appointed a ‘Pharaoh who did not know Joseph’. [Exodus 1.8]

My kotuku feather is broken,

My defence against great evil.

The gatherings which were held in Waiapu.

I alone have suffered the fall of a great house.

[8] 

THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS

The Epidemic

‘It is alright. I see clearly.’ The epidemic has not reached our island, thankfully. It stopped with the rats. But it was mistakenly thought that a child had caught it, having been bitten by rats, and was taken to Auckland Hospital. Afterwards the gathered doctors found it was not the bubonic plague. Dr Alice Woodward, a woman doctor, and two nurses, were praised for their willingness to risk the illness by consenting to care for the child. It is thought that the bubonic plague will not afflict New Zealand in the winter but the Government is still taking precautions. People, do not give up taking precautions and making improvements in your homes. Bubonic plague is not the only disease that thrives on filth. The number of cases of bubonic plague is declining in Sydney but it has reached Brisbane, Melbourne and Alexandria in Egypt. It is being fought by the Pakeha and with innoculations.

The Famine in India

This horrendous calamity, this famine is due to scorched cultivations. No famine like this has struck India before. It is pitiful to see the native people, adults and children, as they face the destructive spread of the famine. Parents are selling their children to buy food. Only girls are being purchased so that the boys are being left to die. In the speech of Lord Curzon, the spokesman for the Governor of India, when he was speaking of the problems of his native people at a gathering at Calcutta, he said: ‘If the heart of any leading person in this town is not disposed to help me, I am happy to give him a railway ticket to a part of India afflicted by famine, and it is for him to decide on what he will give me on his return. Perhaps he will go with an obdurate heart but when he returns his heart will be gentle.’ In addition to the famine there is the bubonic plague and the illness that leaves the face pitted, smallpox.

What can we do?

Out of sympathy all the territories under the Queen’s dominion are collecting money, even though they are already collecting for the war, the bubonic plague, and the fire in Ottawa. How good the English are! Lord Curzon has received a donation from the German Emperor and all his people. An Indian Prince has give £10,000. The Indian Government has committed thousands to help its native people. The Pakeha people of this colony are generously collecting, the Maori not yet. We will be mocked by the Pakeha for our lack of compassion, so show some love that you may have some pride, and then the affliction will be lightened. People, it is a very good thing that we show our compassion to the native people of other places. It will elicit much praise from them when they hear that the hearts of the Maori people of New Zealand have been moved by their afflictions. Although you may give only a shilling it will provide a person in India with food for many days. Give your donation to the Government person at the Post Office or to the Pakeha ministers in each area, saying that it is for the ‘India Famine Fund’, or send it to us and we will pass it on. In this way some of the needs will be met and there will be an expression of love. The greatest love is love to those we have not seen. 

Te Pipiwharauroa.

TRAVELLING AROUND THE MAORI DISTRICTS By Tutere Wi-Repa.

II East Coast

When I went to the Coast during the last days of December 1899, having returned from the far south of Te Waipounamu, I saw many wonderful things, from Gisborne to the end. Let me say that this area is in two parts – a part devoted to sheep farming and a part devoted to growing corn. The part where sheep are farmed begins at Gisborne and stretches to Te Araroa. The part where corn is grown begins at Potikirua and stretches to the north. This article deals with the area from Gisborne to Patangata.

Occupations.

At that time the people were all absent, having gone to work on the sheep stations. I found only the elderly and food in the villages. [9] To describe people at that time I have to turn to this saying: 

Huna o mata o tangata, whakina o mata o kai.
‘While the faces of men are hidden, the faces of food are revealed.’ 

But this is appropriate for a travelling workforce in that while family are not too far away there will always be food.

Occupations at that time were sheep shearing, cutting down tea-tree and cottonwood, and other Pakeha jobs. One remarkable thing was the size of the Maori sheep stations. When I arrived they were mustering sheep at Paremata, shearing at Tokomaru and loading wool onto a ship at Reporua. It was then that I said: ‘His ways spring from good thoughts.’

These are the jobs done at shearing time. When I returned in the autumn I wondered where the men were. At that time they were cutting tea-tree and brambles, fencing, and improving the lands around Waiapu. Our ‘little lawyer’ was the main person driving those works and he does not come down to earth. He it was who addressed the following to me:

What is that question you ask in the autumn?

Are not your elders doing contract work, my lad!

I saw a new work being done when I reached the end towards Pohutu of Pakiakanui, that is, road building. This kind of work is all done by Maori. Of all the roads in the Awatere to the inland sheep stations not one was acquired from the Pakeha. As a result I said, ‘That’s right! So go about this with all your might and don’t let this Pakeha activity slide into decay.’

At Te Kawakawa also I saw the courageous man from the East Coast sailing a boat through waves and breakers and storms; he and his men have the contract for the work on Motu i Whanookena.

Health Matters

Another remarkable thing, at that time there was a severe outbreak of contagious illness amongst those working sheep. They said, ‘This is the new sickness’. It is in fact what the Pakeha call ‘influenza’. The children were also struck with the illness called ‘chicken pox’. The children afflicted with that illness behaved strangely. Things changed for the better with the coming of summer. If it was ‘when Hikurangi spread its linen’ [was covered with snow] that some local children died.

The impact of the adult illness was not so severe. The leading elder {?poka-a-ki] of the Archdeaconry of Waiapu who lives in the bay beyond Mataahu is one of those laid low by this illness and he is distressed lest he miss the one great gathering of the year. This extraordinary disease has spread throughout Ngati Porou. He is like a tiger stalking amongst the cottonwood, the tea-tree and the blackberries! However as I saw it the illness just plays with people. But if people catch it I believe they have a good hope of recovery. 

(To be concluded.)

A HUGE FIRE

On 27th April a fire broke out in Ottawa, the centre of government in Canada, the country to the north of America, a place which is also under the rule of our Queen. A dreadful fire! The fire began on one side of the river and, fanned by the wind, it crossed to the other side. The town and the houses were plunged into darkness and came to a standstill when the building containing the electric power headquarters was burned. The only source of light was the fire. Fire ships came from other towns and soldiers were set to extinguish the fire but they were unable to. No-one could get close because of the heat of the fire. Fire kept bursting out until there was a tongue of fire like a wall two miles long and three-quarters of a mile wide mixed with smoky haze – it was like hell. Five square miles, 3,200 acres, of the town, was left devastated by the fire. More than 15,000 people were living outside because they had no houses. It is estimated that the cost of the fire is more than £1,500,000. Collections are being made among all those who come under the wings of the Queen to help those who have lost everything in this disaster. The good that great influence can achieve! The bravery of Lord Minto, the Governor General of that land, was seen when he went to help extinguish the fire and he himself saved a person. He made a donation of £1000.

Oh dear! Oh dear! The terrible things happening these days which depress our spirits! Besides the wars we have pandemics, famine, fires, the assassination attempt on the Prince, and it is said that there will perhaps be war between the great powers. Are these not the afflictions shown in the Book: ‘You will hear of wars, of rumours of wars; be careful and don’t be alarmed because it is laid down that all these things will come about and then the end will come. People will rise up against people, kingdom against kingdom; there will be nights of famine, epidemics, and earthquakes everywhere. These are the beginnings of the sufferings.’ [Mark 13.7-8] Be careful lest you be caught unawares (faithful people). ‘All will be well!’ For these words which bring comfort to the heart we say, like the Pakeha, ‘Thank you’.

[10] 

KING MAHUTA’S MEETING

(Because of insufficient space in Te Pipi this article was not printed earlier.)

Our correspondent Tipi-Whenua did not arrive at the gathering at Waahi, home of King Mahuta, until after the Governor arrived there. The Governor’s friends who came were Lord Beauchamp the Governor of Sydney, a fine young gentleman, the Prime Minister, the Honourable Timi Kara, Minister of Maori Affairs, the Honourable Ward, Minister of Railways, some other members of Parliament and some Pakeha.

The King’s canoe, Taheretikitiki, brought the Governor’s party across the Waikato from Huntly, where the train stopped, to Waahi. The crew and the steersman wore only paki [kilts, skirts]. The canoe carrying the band went before, leading the distinguished guests on Taheretikitiki. When the visitors landed at Waahi they were greeted by Waikato, by King Mahuta, by Kaihau M.H.R., by Tarawhiti the King’s secretary and other Waikato chiefs. Lord Ranfurly’s main points in his speech were praise for the loyalty of the Maori to the Queen and for the way the two peoples of this island lived together in peace. He urged Maori to be kind and good in raising their children so that, when the time comes, their children will flourish. The Governor believes that on this basis, the good upbringing of children, the Maori will flourish. The Governor of Sydney then spoke.

On a later day they met again to listen to what the Government ministers had to say and Waikato had the opportunity to share their thoughts and grievances with the Government. There was discussion of the Board Bill. Kaihau criticized some of the provisions of the bill, but Mr Seddon said that some of the Maori statements were misinformed. Mr Seddon said that there were errors in the bill but they were minor matters. The objectives of the bill were right and this year would see its enactment. The Prime Minister has asked that he be sent the names of those people who are landless so that it is clear to whom the Government will allocate land. He said again that they would prevent the indiscriminate sale of Maori land to Pakeha. He is thinking of bringing an end to the sale by the Government of remnants of Maori land.

Although this Government has its faults, it is obvious that they want the best for Maori with regard to land and physical health. We recalled that Henare Kaihau was responsible for the basic ideas in the bill that the Prime Minister is progressing. Why then did he stand to speak against it? Supporting one moment, opposing the next!

A VERY BAD CUSTOM

The ‘Wairoa Guardian’, the newspaper of Wairoa in the South, reported that a Maori child had died and that, following Maori custom, the mourning began and lasted three weeks. The body had to be buried when the coffin started to come apart because of leakage. On the day the body was carried away to be buried, because people were close together, one of the bearers was not able to go on because he was unable to distance his [?iho – essence, ?ihu – nose] from the deceased. As they went he was a long time coping with the smell. And what was the result? Two days afterwards he was struck down with typhoid fever and he is still in Te Wairoa Hospital! This is something that it is right the Government looks into. It is indeed a very foolish custom if what the paper says is true. We want to convey love … we do not want it to be insignificant, but then, what happens, seepage breaks the coffin. Would it not be better to show love to the child while he is living and able to experience love. Such are our different ways of doing things; a person dies and we afflict the living. We are a remnant, let us treat ourselves gently and don’t let us knock ourselves down. Leave that for death to do. The Maori fear demons, and is not the worst demon fever, but we take no notice. What about us! What about us! 

Te Pipiwharauroa.

THE BISHOP’S ADDRESS TO THE GATHERING AT WHAREKAHIKA

Friends, ministers and lay representatives, greetings! For thirty years the Maori Church Meeting has been at work in this district, looking each year at things that will forward the work of the Church. We are still searching. The thing we search for is lost. We obviously don’t see clearly because we are not seeing the growth of the Church’s work amongst us. Granted some new churches have been completed and some broken things have been fixed, [11] but these are external things. We look for something else as evidence of the real growth of the Church, namely the bearing of people, whether or not they are growing in goodness. The work of the Maori Church Hui began shortly after the war. Then the work of Ringatu had started, of those who fought the Government. When peace came people did not abandon those different forms of worship. They continued to despise the precious gifts given by Christ to his Church. Afterwards emerged the Mormon perverting the words of Scripture and using them to support the lying teachings of his prophet. Some of the people of the Church are still turning there. Of the people who have not followed those religions, many are living thoughtlessly having not heard the Gospel of Christ and being devoted to the delights of the world. They are not afraid of drunkenness. Dancing and haka are the things they love. These things remain to deceive people lest they turn to things pleasing to God, to things that will give life to the spirit. They provide rather a road leading young people into the myriad ways of indiscipline. But it is not only these who are responsible for what is wrong. One source of the problem lies with thinking people in the Church, with those who hold to the faith and to the Sacraments of Christ. There is a listlessness, a difficulty with the worship of God. There is little desire for the Spirit of God to dwell in a person, bringing strength, holiness, and a longing to do what is right. There is, from the same source, a neglect of prayer and there is no longer frequent attendance at the Lord’s Supper in order to find strength and to gratify the spirit. Concubinage and suchlike are no longer condemned. Children are being brought up to think only of their physical needs, of worldly pursuits, and they are not being carefully taught the things a person should know and believe if his spirit is to have life. There is another evil – the turning of the sick to native gods, believing the tohunga when he deceitfully says that he has the power to heal. These things are evidence that all is not well with us. We no longer have the power to combat the enemy when he falls upon us; rather, we have fallen into his clutches. The reason is that we have forgotten our Strengthener; we have no faith in the words of Christ that if we dwell in him we will do every good work. If our faith is healthy sin would be decreasing amongst us, we would be bringing back those who have been led astray by the deceitfulness of men.

One thing has been ordained by Christ, that is, that the Church should have ministers to administer the Sacraments as signs to teach the people; and that the minister should be paid for his work so that he is free from the need to work to sustain himself physically and can devote himself to his ministerial work. But the minister is a man, like everyone else, and is subject to death. One minister who has been taken by God from amongst us is Rev. Eruera Kawhia.

Great sadness has come upon us.

He has been ill for a long time, only setting about his work with difficulty. For his dedication to his work while he lived we give great praise to God who strengthened him. Now a replacement for his area is being sought. Why it is taking so long is that there are few young people wishing to undertake this kind of work. You are aware of the school at Te Aute and also of the school at Auckland, St Stephen’s. The young people of these schools are not thinking of becoming candidates for Te Raukahikatea so that there may be plenty of ministers to fill the empty parishes.

This is how things are - Te Raukahikatea is being dismissed by the boys from these schools; they do not wish to go there, to that College where they will be trained as ministers. Why are these young men not going into this work? Perhaps one reason is that they see how little a minister is paid. He is in two minds whether working as a minister is a job for him if he has to work with his hands to support himself, his wife and his children. This is something for the people of the Church to consider, namely, providing generous salaries for the ministers so that they don’t have this worry added to their ministerial work. Be aware that the interest received from the sustentation funds for providing salaries for minister is going down. In coming years it will become even smaller. Only our people can address this problem.

Now let me remind you of the provisions laid down by the recent General Synod for Church people of this area to elect a member of the Diocesan Synod. The vote will take place this coming July. It would be a good thing if this gathering could give guidance as to the person who would be acceptable to all to be elected, so that there will not be a search at the time the vote is to take place.

May God bless our works that they may be in accordance with his will.

[12] [On 15th April the gathering of the Maori Church of the Gisborne area was held at Wharekahika. It was attended by the Bishop, the five ministers, and the eleven spokesmen of the laity. Eight motions were agreed. Pene Haihi and Te Hati Houkamau moved the motion about Eruera Kawhia, noting also that three Ngati Porou parishes are vacant. It was agreed that Reweti Kohere should be elected as Lay Representative of this district in the Diocesan Synod. The gathering next year will take place in the parish of Rangitukia]

A NOTICE

To people wishing to have the Book of Common Prayer and Hymn Book. I have many copies of these books now. The price: Large, paperback – 2/6. Large hardback – 4/. Small paperback – 1/-. Small hardback – 2/6. Small superior hardback – 3/6. Hymn Book – 1/-. I will pay the postage to send the book to you,. H W Williams, Te Rau, Gisborne

RULES OF TE PIPIWHARAUROA

1. Address your letter to the paper like this: THE EDITOR OF TE PIPIWHARAUROA, TE RAU, GISBORNE. Do not write the name of a particular person.

2. The paper is published monthly during the last wee.

3. The cost of the paper is 5/- a year.

4. Send money to Te Pipiwharauroa using Postal Notes; if this is not possible, stamps are acceptable but only penny stamps.

A GREAT SPECTACLE

On 15th April the great spectacle was opened, the Paris Exhibition. Paris is the capital of France. It remains open until 5th November. This is a wonderful great spectacle. 270 acres are covered by buildings and fences. The total cost of setting it up and running it is £5,000,000.

There are many wonderful things to be seen in this exhibition. There are many carefully constructed water features using 500,000 gallons an hour; the largest of these waterfalls is 30 feet high and 100 feet across. There you find the largest room in the whole world; 15,000 people can be seated in it. There is also an astounding telescope which cost £60,000. If you look at the sun and the moon through this telescope they appear very close. If a man sits on the end of the see-saw there he goes up above Paris. There is a volcano there like Vesuvius, like a real volcano, and it gives out fire and sulphur. In a lake within the exhibition ocean monsters swim about. Also there is a Maori house taken there from New Zealand. There are myriad other things going on at the exhibition, myriads of things from all over the world are there – games and entertainments. The fastest cyclists in the world are competing there; Sutherland, the New Zealand hero is going there – he is the national champion. Thousands and thousands of people from all over the world are going to Paris these days to see this French achievement. It is said that more than £40,000,000 will be spent in Paris as a result of this attractive exhibition. Isn’t that something! The French aren’t doing too badly!

SEEDS FOR OUR BIRD

£1 O S S T; 5/- Peka Kerekere, Pita Pokia, Hakeke Tamaikoha, Te Mateautaia Tautau, E P Amohau, H Kainga, W E Sam, F A Bamford, Pita Te Hau; 4/- A Tennent; 2/6 Ruka Aratapu, Hiwawa Whatanui, Hira Taruki; 2/- R Moari.

FOR THE FAMINE IN INDIA

10/6 Reweti Kohere; 10/- W Tangaere; 5/- Tio Manuera, Te Oti Manuera, Urupa Huhu; 2/6 Iwiora Tamaiparea, Ngarongoa Tamaiparea, 2/- Ropere Tahuri; 1/- Tamati Weehi, Wiremu Keretene, Turuturu Ngaki, Te Muera Tokoaitua. (These donations are also published in the Pakeha paper.)

H W Williams, Te Rau Press, Gisborne