Te Pipiwharauroa 28

Te Pipiwharauroa 28

No.28

1900/06/01

(Maori Version at NZETC)

[1] Te Pipiwharauroa, He Kupu Whakamarama, Number 28, Gisborne, June 1900

THE HEART OF ENGLAND 

Apirana Ngata MA LLB

Perhaps if it had not been for the English war against the Boers, we, the Maori, and other people may not have appreciated the heart of England, the spirit which dwells in the hearts of her children in every place. The muzzles of the guns which sounded at Ladysmith awoke the world to see that a new spirit was floating on the waves of the waters, the spirit which united the many colonies under the power of England one with another, all with a single parent set on the other side of the sea. India, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Cape Colony, Natal and many other peoples have all risen up together.

As one family they have decided to help the parent of all in the day of testing, even though alone and with her own resources she could prosecute the war against this stubborn people, the Boers. Hence, when we heard, New Zealand, Australia and other colonies sent soldiers to Africa. The overwhelming thought was the unity of English people wherever they are scattered in the world.

Who is going to stay at home when the guns are sounding and there is conflict before us? Get out into the roads and the fields. We come upon the carpenter hammering, the blacksmith striking, the grocer selling, the shepherd driving sheep, the doctor healing, all happy and playful. But when awakened from sweet sleep, then the spirit of those ancestors who seized Canada, who captured Napoleon Bonaparte, is awakened from long sleep. Now the world sees the quality of the people derided by Napoleon, who said, ‘The English are given to shop keeping and making money’, because the breed and the blood are not different.

The son of the English Prime Minister, a collection of well-bred leaders from various places, a cook’s son, a workman – because the gun is sounding, there is one spirit which moves in them, to defend the status of England, to honour the Queen, and they have a single purpose, to be soldiers of the Queen. ‘For the glory of England, for the honour of the Queen, for the name of God.’ It is not good for a man to die fuming at home. If everyone’s wish could be accommodated then there would not be just 200,000 of the Queen’s soldiers in Africa but 2,000,000.

If it was agreed that 100,000 soldiers should be sent from the colonies under English rule, this would be very easy insofar as there would be sufficient money to provide for so many men. There are millions of pounds lying idle in England which would be made available for the Government to put it to work and achieve things.

The heart of England will not be repressed. The great powers, France, Russia, Germany look and tremble. They know that should they declare war against England they will find themselves fighting against India, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

Good luck to the English! God bless the Queen!

[2] 

 O JERUSALEM!

Reweti T Mokena Kohere

At a time when we are hearing the stories of the sieges of English towns by the Boers – Ladysmith, Kimberley, Mafeking – it is perhaps a good thing to remind readers of ‘Te Pipi’ of great sieges of the past and how they compare with those of these days.

First we look at the siege of Jerusalem by Titus 70 years after Christ and see if we do not find something instructive for ourselves in that dreadful massacre of the Jews, the people chosen by God. Jerusalem, the Holy City, the famous city, is one of the ancient cities of the earth. It is well known, not only because the Messiah was crucified there, or because the Gospel was born there, but for the stories about it from ancient times to the present. The Bible and other writings show us that it has suffered many sieges and defeats. There have been sieges and defeats but the city still stands awaiting the day when its Lord will come. Its foundations have been split by the enemy; it has been sprinkled with salt so that food and grass cannot grow, but it still stands and it still looks forward to the day of its peace.

The last assault on Jerusalem was by Titus, son of the Roman Emperor, and ruler of Rome after his father. It was the time of the Feast of Passover. Thousands of Jews from all places were thronging to sacrifice to the Lord. It is said that there were 3,000,000 Jews in the city. There was a large army of 23,000 armed men if they stuck together. In the event they divided into three divisions. Each went about things their own way and the outcome was defeat. As it happened the hand of the Jews was uppermost and only after the Roman soldiers had sought to defeat it for more than four months did Jerusalem fall. Altogether 1,100,000 died and 97,000 were taken as prisoners to Rome as slaves to be tossed to the wild animals at the Roman games, the survivors fled to the mountains and hid in the caves in the desert. It is said that so great was the flow of blood that it extinguished house fires! Thousands were put to the sword. Thousands died of starvation and disease. When the food was all eaten they came outside the defences to pluck grass to sustain them. It was then that the enemy crept up on them. Each day 500 died gathering vegetation outside the palisades. They were crucified outside the city until soon there was no more wood for crosses. When the vegetation ran out they began to eat their sandals, the leather of which they had made their shields, and they even ate dried grass. One woman cooked her son for food! (See Deuteronomy 28.47-53, 2 Kings 6.28-29.)

One of the main things that distressed the hearts of the Jews was the burning of the Temple and their hopes of the Messiah coming to save them from this terrible affliction were ended. Titus had said to spare the temple but a soldier set it alight. When the Temple fell the women lamented and wept. Many people died. The golden bowls and other holy things from within the Temple were saved by the soldiers. The stories of the fall of Jerusalem are pitiful and shocking.

While I was in Sydney I saw the depiction of Jerusalem, a very good depiction, not done on paper but with sand and stone and wood (the cyclorama). Though it was housed in a big room it filled the room. One could easily see the houses, the big houses, the small houses, the Temple on the hills, the rivers, the pools, the springs, the roads, the walls, the caves of the lepers, as well as the people and the parties arriving from other towns. To all appearances it looked as though it was made by God. It was the city as it was before the siege. I saw also the Hill of Calvary and the Saviour hanging on the Cross, the thieves on the right and the left, and Mary at the base of the cross, weeping at the feet of her Son. That was the depiction of Jerusalem, the city of which Christ prophesied, ‘You will be overthrown and your children within you; not one stone will be left upon another within you; because you did not know the time of your visitation.’ (Luke 19.41-44) See Luke 21.20-24.

The Jews could not have know the dreadful weight of their words to Pilate when they were urging that their king, their Messiah, should be put to death – they said, ‘His blood be upon us and upon our children.’ Benighted and thoughtless people, [3] affliction has been invoked; don’t wait until affliction comes. Thirty-seven years later what they invoked happened, and now their children are scattered throughout the whole world, abused and ill-treated. Their Lord knew the evil of the affliction which would come upon them and, hence, he cried over Jerusalem saying, ‘O Jerusalem, Jerusalem … how often would I have gathered together your children as a hen gathers her chickens under her wings, but you did not want it!’[Matthew 23.37]

But indeed the time is coming when Jehovah will gather together his ancient people, and they will know that their Messiah has come. He came to them but they did not want him, but those whose hearts were set on him, Jews and Gentiles, he made children of God. Maori people, the downfall of the Jews meant a gift for us, but take care to let your faith be a matter of the heart and not just something you talk about. ‘God did not spare the natural branches; take care lest perhaps you be not spared.’ (Romans 11.21)

THE SWORD AND THE CROSS

Before the fighting began in Africa, Kruger said that he prayed for three hours as to whether it was right to fight against the English. Eventually he concluded that God approved. He boasted that God would direct the Boer bullets and send astray those of the English. The outcome for the English would be like that of Jericho which fell in the presence of the army of the Lord of Hosts. The Boers thought that they were God’s chosen people, that the Vaal River was the Jordan and that Transvaal was Canaan. They were wrong in thinking that God belonged to them and if God were human he would have been troubled as to which side to support because both sides called upon him.

We cannot say much about the faith of the Boers, whether it be deep or shallow, but we have a few words about the English side. Queen Victoria is the head of ‘the empire upon which the sun never sets’. If she were asked, ‘What is the greatness of England?’ she would answer, ‘The Bible’. If one reads the history of England from ancient times to the present, it becomes clear that God has been her guide and protector; Jehovah only deserts England when she forgets him.

We are very happy that some of the great English soldiers have expressed their thoughts about the faith, as have some of the junior officers, and this is generally how soldiers feel. People have heard about General Gordon, the Christian general. It is said that he prayed even when going into battle. If he was praying he put his white handkerchief outside his tent as a sign that people should not come in and disturb him whatever the subject. Havelock is a famous English general. He made his name in the fighting in India. He is a great man of faith who does not hide his light under a bushel. Some of his soldiers are called ‘Havelock’s holy people’. When he was suffering a wound he said, ‘Look at the suffering of Christ.’

On the relief of Ladysmith General Roberts sent his telegram to General White: ‘Praise God, who has heard the prayers of his people.’ Roberts is a man who believes in the power of prayer so that he ordered his soldiers to pray a prayer, a well-written prayer with excellent words, which has been printed in the Pakeha papers and which has been translated into Maori for the benefit of those who are slothful about calling on the God of Havelock, of Gordon, of Roberts, and of Queen Victoria.

There are some great soldiers who do not despise the Emblem of the Cross such as those mentioned above – these are the descendants of Cornelius. It is widely known that soldiers are rebellious and thoughtless with regard to God but we have seen some soldiers who are the most faithful people in the world. Of whose faith did Christ say: ‘I have not seen such great faith in Israel.’ If a man is able to have strong faith when he is working as a soldier, who is not able to have strong faith should he choose to believe?’ Whatever a person’s work he can find God’s salvation in the midst of that occupation, though if he is not able to find salvation then perhaps his work is of the devil and must be abandoned. Rudyard Kipling is right in warning his people:

God of our fathers, known of old

Guide of our forefathers

Lying under the quivering of your hand

May our dominion be extended.

Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,

Lest we forget – lest we forget!

[4] 

 ETERNAL LIFE 

Part II

‘Direct aright our hearing, our speaking, our thoughts, our learning of these words.’

I. What is eternal life? 

It is to know God and also Christ. It is through Christ we come to the Father. Knowing Christ is knowing his voice, his thoughts, his wishes, and clinging to him. (John 17.3)

II. When can someone gain eternal life? 

Now, that is, at the time he believes in Christ. Christ says that when a person believes he passes from death to life; that is, his spirit enters life. (John 5.24) These questions have been answered in Part 1 in Number 27.

III. How does a person get eternal life? 

The answer to this question is easy. One gets eternal life through faith, and this is made obvious in the verses quoted in answer to the second question. ‘He who believes in the Son has eternal life.’ (See John 3.15,16,36; 5.24; 6.40,47; 20.31; Mark 16.16) There are other verses which point out that through Christ a person is saved by faith. Paul said to the keeper of the gaol at Philippi: ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will live.’ (Acts 16.31; Romans 10.10; Ephesians 2.8, and many other verses.) There are very many verses which assert that only by faith can a person enter eternal life. ‘There is no other source of life. There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we may be saved’, only by the name of Christ (Acts 4.12)

IV. What is faith? 

 It is easy to say that by faith a person is saved but when it comes to explaining what faith is few people are able to answer. Some say that a church is the faith, e.g. the Mormon faith, the Roman Catholic Faith. Fools think like this. Some say faith is doing good works such as worshipping or whatever. But these are fruits of faith and not faith itself. Faith is from the heart, it is not visible to the eye, it has no body. ‘One believes with the heart and so is justified; and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.’ (Romans 10.10). Be aware that faith is from the heart; not from the lips or perhaps from the hands. What is faith? Faith is not something difficult to see or to do. It is not a scarce commodity. It is something people do every day. Because I have faith in the chemist I take his medicine; I believe it is not poison. My faith in the doctor leads me to hand over my body to be operated on by him. If I didn’t believe he knew what he was doing I would not consent. It is because some Maori have faith in Tokoaka of ‘Pohutu’ that they take his medicine, his lung pills, in the belief that Tokoaka’s power enhances that lung medicine. If some other lesser person had given the lung medicine then the sick one would not have opened his mouth because he did not trust that person. It is clear what faith is. It is not my fault if it is not clear.

V. What sort of faith saves a person? 

It is confessing that Christ is Saviour and trusting him. Having faith in this man is like having faith in Christ, however the difference is between the ones believed in – one is man the other God, one is weak the other strong. But do not let us get it wrong and say that faith is our Saviour; no, Christ is our Saviour and it is faith that joins us to Christ. When one knows one’s weakness, one’s extreme sinfulness, one’s powerlessness to help oneself, to save one’s soul, then one flies to Christ, one trusts him, one believes in him and so finds salvation. However great one’s sin, if one believes in Christ he can stand in the presence of God because he does not know this thing, sin. He has been covered with the blood of Christ, he has been clothed inside. Friends, this is the Good News, the beautiful account of the love of God for you, a road built for your feet to travel to peace, to great joy, to eternal life – eternal life which begins in this world and goes on to being sheltered in heaven. ‘We are justified by [5] faith and we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ (Romans 5.1), and it is not for you alone. Friend, do you not know that you are ill, that you are being eaten up by sin? A person will not go to the doctor if he does not know that he is ill. Likewise, you will not go to the Great Doctor if you are not conscious of sin dwelling in you. Be aware that Christ did not come to save the righteous, but sinners. He will save you from the punishment for sin and from the power of sin and enable you to fight against sin hereafter. (See Matthew 1.21; Romans 6.14; Colossians 1.13)

VI. Why would a person not choose to be saved? 

(To be concluded.)

Friend, if you are concerned for your soul then read the above lines carefully.

ENTERTAINMENTS AT TURANGANUI.

The Expression of Love

On 30th May Ngati-oneone put on entertainments at the Gisborne town hall to raise money for the hungry in India and also to help those children orphaned by the deaths of their fathers in the fighting in Transvaal. The main person behind this initiative was Tuta Nihoniho, one of the chiefs of Ngati Porou. He was assisted by Rawiri Karaha, Taare Wherehi, Reweti Kohere and the large Committee. Some people from Ngati Porou joined the performers. 

Before the curtain was raised the Pakeha audience heard the canoe hauling song: ‘Drag the canoe.…. Drag the canoe…!' The Pakeha could not see anything and wondered what was happening. When the curtain was raised, there was a war canoe with paddlers on either side wielding their paddles. All wore the same costume, a piupiu. After the canoe song Tuta Nihoniho spoke. This was appropriate because their hearts were moved by the news received that day of the fall of Johannesburg to General Roberts and that they should sing a song for Roberts. Whereupon Reweti Kohere led a song: ‘Go on, Roberts, go on, Go on, Roberts, fight for your flag; Go on, Roberts, go on. For ever, have courage – go on!’

This haka was done twice and after the second time through there came the response: ‘For ever and ever have courage – go on!’ This was not sung but performed as a haka, as a shout. There was shouted applause from the Pakeha. After, Reweti Kohere stood to speak to the crowd of Pakeha in English. The subject of his speech was the migration of the Maori people from Hawaiki by canoe in the year 1350. He spoke of the great canoes – Aotea, Te Arawa, Tainui, Matatua, Mamaru, Takitimu and the tribal groups who came on these canoes. He said also that the Takitimu was the canoe the Pakeha were looking at in front of them. Takitimu is claimed by Ngati Porou and other East Coast people, and it brought the kumara to these islands. Now Takitimu was returning to India carrying puha leaves to allay the afflictions of the native people of India. When Kohere’s speech was finished, Tuta chanted, as the commander of the canoe, the paddling began to come to an end, and the exhortation was like this:

‘Thrust in the paddle, Thrust in the paddle. Thrust in the paddle. A stroke. A stroke. A stroke. Sail on, paddling beneath Orion. It slides back, it slides forward. The godwit cries. Its cry raises goose pimples. The godwit cries. Its cry causes terror. (There is more.)’ 

During the rests the men crouched in front calling out: Wawawa wai …! At this point the steersman called out that the canoe was ready to go. Then they were urged on by Pakeha and Maori shouting, ‘Go for it…!’ The canoe haka was very much praised by the Pakeha as it was something completely new, and that canoe also provided a great theme for Kohere’s speech. He also set up the canoe and taught the hautū [rhythmic chant] song. Kohere’s speech was praised by the Pakeha and printed in full in the newspaper. His concluding words were: The Pakeha gives much thought to the place whence came the Maori, but perhaps they do not give much thought to where the Maori are going, the place we go when we leave this earth and to which they are inexorably heading year by year. People also praised Kohere’s Maori clothing. Around his waist he wore a piupiu. His cloak was a korowai. He held a taiaha in his hand. In his topknot were plumes and huia feathers. His clothes were befitting of a Maori.

Most of the items were ceremonial haka [without weapons], war dances, welcoming haka, poi, and Pakeha songs, all done by Maori. How awesome are the goings-on of the Maori! Some of the haka were done by women, and were very good. The women were all dressed the same. Most appreciated were the ceremonial haka, being familiar and similar. The haka which brought most applause from the Pakeha was this:

‘The waters spread out. The waters spread out indeed to be streams in Africa. Do not let your foot stumble against the butt of the rifle. The waters spread out….’

The Pakeha songs were sung by Hiria Makai. ‘Island of Dreams’ was so popular she had to repeat it. Kamau Wherehi and Horomona Kiwi sang, ‘Flow On, Thou Shining River.’ Horomona sang ‘Maori Joe’ as a solo. Best of all was that all the organisers and performers in this concert were Maori.

[6]  

At the end Captain Tuta Nihoniho spoke. His words were weighty. He said that although Maori were prevented from going to the war there were other ways in which they could serve the Queen. The Maori people were faithful to the Queen and looked to the Treaty of Waitangi. The Maori were full of praise for those who served under the Queen’s colours. Tuta’s speech was very impressive right from his entrance in his officer’s uniform with his sword in his hand. At his right hand was Maata Piti holding the Queen’s flag. At his left was his translator Reweti Kohere in his Maori dress. Behind them was the great father. Maata is the mother of Wiri Piti who went with the first contingent to Africa. He was taken prisoner by the Boers but escaped and returned to the English. When Tuta and Maata came out carrying the flag, Tuta gave military commands to the Pakeha. The Pakeha response was unrestrained.

At the end of Tuta’s speech, Reweti Kohere launched into the haka for Lord Roberts, leaping about and gesticulating with his taiaha. ‘For ever and ever! Go on with strength for ever!’ After this he began the anthem for the Queen, ‘God save the Queen’. It was started by him, then the Pakeha women joined in and then all the men. It spread like wildfire! Afterwards there was a call for three cheers for Roberts and the Queen. Hooray! Hooray! Hooray!

THE WAR IN TRANSVAAL

In the last edition of Te Pipiwharauroa General Roberts had reached Kroonstadt. Shortly after he moved on another town of the Orange Free State, Heilbron, fell. It is near the Vaal River, in the area between the Orange Free State and Transvaal. It was thought that the Boers were on the border to prevent Old Roberts’ army from passing. However, when Roberts arrived there, the Boers had fled to Johannesburg to await him there.

Johannesburg

Roberts crossed the Vaal and dreamed of taking Johannesburg. This is the largest town in all Africa. There are 107,078 people in Johannesburg of whom more than 60,000 are natives. There are huge gold and diamond mines there, which is why the town has grown so quickly. On 30th May it fell to the English. There was not much intense fighting because the Boers were unsettled by the rapid progress of Roberts. They were surprised and confused. Johannesburg is 260 miles from Bloemfontein but the English covered the distance rapidly in 31 days. The Boers retreated to Pretoria and in their haste left behind some of the cannons and trains. Many Boers laid down their weapons and surrendered to the English. The English were very pleased at the fall of Johannesburg because Kruger was unable to destroy the gold and diamond mines. He was frightened before and said that should the English arrive at Johannesburg he would demolish the town and the mines. Over Johannesburg the Queen’s flag is being blow about by the wind. The Union Jack is flying!

Pretoria

When Johannesburg was settled under the shelter of England, Roberts turned to go to Pretoria. Pretoria is the main Boer city, the place where Kruger and his government are sited, even though Johannesburg is larger than Pretoria. People were listening out in those days to find what would happen. Reports had arrived saying that Pretoria could not be taken as it was ready for battle. Outside and inside there were mines of dynamite. But, while Roberts was still far away, the brave and boastful Kruger fled. He left behind his fortress, his soldiers and his people, and went and hid himself. [Hiding! It was said that you should make preparations for peace and not pick a fight with England. My boy, you have [? Te papa-a-Hikitai]! You were stupid enough to tread on the tail of the lion and now you are wounded!]

On the 5th of this month Roberts entered Pretoria. How great is this old man! He had organised his entry carefully. There was no haste and there was no obstruction. ‘Go on, Roberts. Go on! For ever and ever, have courage and go on!’ How appropriate are the words of Tuta Nihoniho’s haka: ‘Alas, the bad fort of the Boers, turning away, heading away! Crooked, stripped, fallen! Let the soil of Pretoria be trodden by Roberts. Wait! Wait!’ During the night this haka was performed in the town hall in Gisborne and in the morning telegrams arrived saying that the Boers had left Pretoria.

Kruger had fled to a fort in the mountains and had not come down. [7] Perhaps soon he will board a battleship and go to Europe. His people were very angry with him that he had carried off all the government’s money, £2,000,000. The family of Steyn, spokesman for the Orange Free State, also boarded a ship carrying £150,000. While their people are fighting these cunning devils are grasping the money. Kruger has made a statement to the effect that his fighting now will be guerrilla warfare to frustrate the English and to keep the 100,000 English soldiers in Transvaal. Those are his worlds. Afterwards we will see what comes of them if anything. Hey, sir, be quiet! The kiekie mat of Old Man Roberts has been spread over Pretoria and we trust that the Union Jack is fluttering above it. The Union Jack, the best of flags, is flying, the emblem of justice, love and peace.

Latest News of the War

Because there are many small English armies spread out throughout the whole land, many soldiers have been taken prisoner by the Boers. 400 from Colonel Black’s [? Paraki] army have been taken prisoner. These men are not real soldiers but leading men from England. From this it is clear that it is not for money that the English are fighting this war. Twenty-eight members of the House of Lords of England are fighting along with twenty-five from the Lower House.

In one battle Colonel Bert [?Peata] Douglas and 15 others died. Seven hundred English soldiers were taken prisoner by the Boers, but in this case they gave themselves up because of the very large Boer army.

The Boers capture some and the English capture some too. Six hundred Boers were taken prisoner by General [? Ranara], 1500 by General Brabant. The major calamity for the Boers was the fall of one of their leading generals, Oliviera [? Oriwia]. This was the general who captured one part of General Broadwood’s army at Korn Spruit. (New Zealand participated in this defeat with 17 of them being taken prisoner.)

Of the English captured by the Boers, 150 officers and 3,500 soldiers were set free by Roberts. They were overjoyed. Few prisoners remain in the hands of the Boers. There is no point in holding on to them now that Roberts has seized the major towns.

The sick New Zealand soldiers have returned home to great welcomes. If they are sad it is because it was not the end of the war which brought about their return home. Their appearance arouses compassion: their clothes are old, their backs bent, and their eyes dry.

When will it end?

The taking of Pretoria was a great victory because it was the sign that the war will soon come to an end, but it was a greater victory in that no blood was shed. But the arm of the Boers has been raised again, though not completely upright; it is still bent, old man. England has taken Transvaal. Tomorrow a different name will be given. Orange Free State has been renamed the Orange River Colony. Kruger’s flight was like that of the Hauhau pursued by policemen. It will be a great day of rejoicing when peace is made and this war, which has cost so many lives, comes to an end. The Government has announced that the peace will be celebrated in this colony on one day three days after the peace is concluded and that there should be great festivities. ‘God save the Queen.’

Some Other Generals

General Buller is in the mountains separating Transvaal and Natal to cut off the Boers. His aim is to arrive in Transvaal and to surround the Boers. General Lord Methuen is subduing the forts to the west of Transvaal and is heading towards Pretoria. The hearts of the Boers must be sinking! General Hutton is also in Transvaal putting down resistance as he goes. His soldiers are chosen from the colonies, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. He observed their bravery. Lord Kitchener is travelling with Lord Roberts. One person observing the fighting has said that Kitchener is the best-known general in the world for putting down revolts. People are grateful that Roberts was chosen to prosecute the war, with Lord Kitchener to help him. From the time of their arrival in Africa to the present no blemishes have been seen in them. Before their arrival the English were very troubled. The world’s great newspapers say that Roberts has restored the mana of England.

[8] 

PRAISE

To the Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa. 

Greetings to you and all who work together on our paper. May God bless all of us dedicated to working at things which will bring glory to his name.

Friend, this article is something to be carried by our bird to all the places he gets to, to show how grateful we are to the Lord of the Harvest for answering our prayers for a worker to be sent to this part of his farm, the Diocese of Auckland. The minister sent to assist Archdeacon Clarke is a Pakeha.

We, the Maori clergy who came to Auckland, put to the Pakeha Synod, by our synodsman, Riapo Puhipi, a motion in October 1899. That motion asked that a Pakeha clergyman should be appointed to run things in this diocese as there was only one Pakeha minister for us, the Maori of the Diocese of Auckland, now an elder, aged 69. In the Diocese of Waiapu there are six, perhaps seven, Pakeha ministers. There are two in the Diocese of Wellington.

The synod passed our motion. We were astounded when a Pakeha minister arrived as a result of that motion, the Rev. H A Hawkins. The Pakeha agrees and, before long, it happens!

This man is a secondary school-teacher from the ministry School at Te Raukahikatea.

He studied at Te Aute College, and colleges at Hastings and Christchurch., and emerged with distinction from his Pakeha theological studies.

When he arrived in April the Synod of the Archdeaconry of Te Waimate was meeting at Kaikohe. He entered into the work of the gathering. He is living in Te Waimate North in the house in which Bishop Selwyn Senior lived and in which his son John Selwyn, who became Bishop of Melanesia, was born.

Beginning on 19th April he began to travel to see some of the parishes in the Archdeaconry of Te Waimate. He will perhaps go to the North. He has visited many villages during two full weeks of travelling. Maori are very happy and are giving him traditional Maori welcomes. Whiti! Whiti! Ora! 

From your friend in the work,
 Timoti Kiriwi.

A NOBLE PROJECT.

We wish to remind the Maori people of a noble project. Maori may or may not be enthusiastic about our newspapers, Te Tiupiri, Te Puke-ki-Hikurangi, and their child, Te Pipiwharauroa. From these newspapers people get news from Maori places, from places afar, and news of the fighting in Africa, along with many articles to entertain and to teach. It is the case that some people do not relate to the wars of others, namely, the Pakeha, but our newspapers do have articles that touch the heart. If these recent years were like those in the past when there was not a single newspaper, Maori would be very ignorant. As it is they hear reports from all over the place. So, people, Te Pipiwharauroa sang ‘Tioo, tioo!’ to remind you to have a heart full of enthusiasm, to think positively, and so support our newspapers, our language. Don’t say [?whakamanawa], ‘So-and-so's paper will do for us here. I get my information by word of mouth. Do I need to ask for a paper? It may be sent to me but I shan’t pay for it. I'm not going to part with one shilling for it’ These are not chiefly thoughts. Nothing will be achieved if you think this way.

There are more than 39,000 of us Maori but not more than 3,000 people buy Te Tiupiri, Te Puke-ki-Hikurangi, or Te Pipiwharauroa. It is different with the Pakeha. There are 5,000 Pakeha in Gisborne and they have indeed two newspapers, besides the large newspapers from outside that come every week. With the Pakeha each family takes their own paper. Our instruction, people, is to open your hearts, to think positively, and to support our newspapers. We are not thinking that our three newspapers will reach 39,000. We would be happy with four, five, ten, if they inspire the heart. But we do not forget to salute those people supporting their language. Greetings, friends! Greetings to the supporters of Te Pipiwharauroa. Greetings! Greetings! May God bless you. ‘Kui! Kui! Whitiwhitiora!’ 

From Te Pipiwharauroa.

[9] 

THE MAORI PARLIAMENT. 

Apirana T Ngata MA LLB

To the Editor of Te Pipiwharauroa. 

Greetings to you who run our paper to bring news to the Maori. I’m sending you this article to inform the marae reached by our paper of some important consultations by Te Kotahitanga held at Ohinemutu, Rotorua.

The hui opened on 15th March and those invited started to gather and were still coming right into April. By the time I arrived the work of the hui had been completed so I shall not summarize all the issues and discussions. These may be seen in the official reports of the proceedings of the hui.

All the tribes were represented on the marae of Te Arawa who hosted this hui. Tuhoe, Waikato, Taranaki, and Te Tairawhiti were absent. But Takitimu was represented by myself and Mohi Te Ataihikoia. Whanganui, Tuwharetoa, Ngatiawa and Ngapuhi and their member, Hone Heke, along with many from Te Arawa who warmed the marae, were present to the end of the hui.

I don’t have anything to say myself about the welcomes and the entertainments, but the chiefs of our Marae were full of praise for the perseverance of the hosts with these things and for their perseverance in overcoming hindrances to staging the hui. These were precious things to those of us who came in person. For us and those who were absent, the subjects discussed were very important, hence this article.

I am a member of the Committee which prepared this bill for presentation to Parliament this year. It was done with the problems of our districts in mind. The copy of the bill was tabled by the Committee and Hone Heke and it was passed by the Te Kotahitanga hui. Afterwards it will be printed and distributed to all parts of the land. I shall summarize the main matters dealt with in it.

(1) We sought an easier way to deal with Maori land issues than the Maori Land Court which deals with them at present. Consequently the Court would be abolished and seven groups set up to do the work of that Court. One of these bodies would be supreme and called The Court of Appeal to settle appeals. Beneath it would be six Boards for Aotearoa alone, with the powers of the Maori Land Court except for the power of governance. The powers of the Judges under the Land Court Act would be confirmed and some extra small powers would be added to facilitate the work of the Board. Some provisions have been added to the bill to bring about more easily an end to disputed matters from outside or amongst people bringing cases so that money is not wasted in these adjudications. For land under a customary title it is proposed to set up a Committee for Lands Under a Customary Title to enquire into boundaries and claims and to report to the Board. This will enable matters to be brought to a full conclusion. These enquiries will use maps to establish boundaries and a detailed survey will follow. The procedures for appeals, the rules for establishing the boundaries of the Board’s authority, and regulations for the times for and place of meeting of the Board, are carefully laid down to minimize expenditure. As I see it, this is a very good section of the Bill.

(2) The second section deals with ways of setting leases for Maori land and for getting money for improvement. To bring about this objective it is proposed that a Block Committee be set up for each block. The members will be given the powers to run the block with the blessing and agreement of those people with an interest in it, and they will be under the supervision of a Government Officer who will arrange the auditing of accounts and see that things are done according to the law. The Committee will be able to make land available for lease in agreement with the ways laid down for Crown Lands, but leases must not be for more than 42 years. The Government Treasury may make money available to the Committee, with the consent of the people, and it will become a mortgage on the land. The Committee will also have powers to set apart some land for the growing of food should the people of the village desire it, and also to lease some land to the local people only, and only after that to other Maori. These provisions in this part of the Bill are good, bringing together Maori power to administer their own lands.

(3) The document lays down firmly an embargo on all Maori land in Aotearoa so that it cannot be sold either to the Crown or to any other person, and it is for the Board of the district to resolve any issues left unresolved when the Bill is enacted.

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 The essence of this work may be seen in the many Bills brought before Parliament in the past two years, and also in the Acts which are now in force which look at the nation’s problems but which have not found a solution agreeable to both Maori and Pakeha since they have not been able to unite in choosing one side.

That’s enough of all this! One thing remains, notice has been given of the holding of two Kotahitanga hui in the future in this country but no places are vying to host this.

That’s it! I’m heading to Waikato for the Kauhanganui. 

From your friend,

 Apirana T Ngata, 
Ohinemutu, 
May 2, 1900.

ROTORUA

A Monument to the Queen

A monument in the form of a carved pole has been erected to Queen Victoria in Rotorua. The piece of wood is ten feet high and two feet across, four-sided and carved all over. The erection of the pole was celebrated with firing of a cannon, a band played and a great banquet took place. Te Pipiwharauroa is delighted by this gesture showing the commitment of the Maori to this eighty-one year-old lady.

A Carved House

Maori customs were fully used at the opening and dedication of ‘Rauru’, a carved house at Te Whakarewarewa. It is said to be an extremely beautiful house, its carvings following ancient patterns. The house was constructed for a Pakeha by the name of Nelson. Many Pakeha and Maori gathered for the dedication of the house by Rangitahau, Te Kooti’s leading tohunga in the days of the sadness. Shortly after the dedication of Rauru, Rangitahau died and the Maori maintain that it was the sacredness of the timbers of that house that caused his death. Some Pakeha wanted the Government to purchase the house but the house has instead been bought by the Museum of Germany for £1,600. How much were the Maori paid for all the things of that house and its building? In these days when there are few carved Maori objects being made they are being sold to Pakeha as objects of commerce. Some are being parted with for a reasonable price, but some for a ridiculously low price. People, hold on to the relics of the ancestors which are the symbols of our Maori nobility. Give or sell them only to the Government that they may be treasured by all the people. It is wrong to sell them to any Pakeha to be hidden in his house or perhaps to be sold to other Pakeha to make money.

THE PRAYER OF LORD ROBERTS

(This prayer was prepared by Lord Roberts for all the soldiers beneath his flag.)

Almighty God, I have sinned against you greatly. Wash me in the precious blood of the Lamb of God. Fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may be renewed. Bless me, that I may keep in sight the those things which were precious to me at home, and prepare me for the time when I stand in your presence in peace. Strengthen us that we may stand up as men as we fight for a cause that is just and great. Sustain us that we may be faithful unto death. May we not forget that we shall die. Keep us steadfast in the face of adversity. Keep us compassionate towards our enemies. Make us brave. Keep us faithful to our Queen and country and its flag. If it be your will let us achieve victory for England, but most importantly give us the real victory which is to stand at the time when sins are judged, the time of life or death. This is the great victory for which we depend on him who loved us, who gave himself to die for us, Jesus Christ our Saviour, the Captain of the Jehovah’s Hosts. Amen.

(Although Lord Roberts is the Commanding Officer over all the troops fighting under the banner of the Queen, and although he is the man spoken about everywhere these days, he does not forget there is the supreme Captain and there is the ultimate banner, above even that of the Queen – the ‘Banner of Love’.)

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OUR GIRLS

The Governor’s Speech

A meeting was held at Auckland, convened by the Governor, Lord Ranfurly, to consider setting up a school for girls, a school like Hukarere. These discussions began in 1897 and if that school had been set up it would have been called the Queen Victoria Jubilee School. The Diocese of Auckland was not very supportive of the idea because of other pressing problems. There is £106 in hand, some of which has been contributed by Maori. It is considered that £300 is needed to get the school started. The secretary said that if the Pakeha contributed quickly then Maori also would not neglect to help.

The most important words at the meeting fell from the lips of the Governor. He said that he believed that the same reasoning applied in this instance as in the setting up of St Stephen’s, the boys’ school. Although not all has gone well, the boys educated there have grown up as upright people, and he had seen how well some of them have done. Why has a school like St Stephen’s not been established for Maori girls? The good outcomes may not be fully seen in the first generation of pupils but, if we persevere with the work, in time we will see fruit. So let us set up a school for girls soon so that we may soon see the fruit. He and his wife were happy to add their names in support for a year as long as others also donate. The amount sought is comparatively small. He really hopes to see this school set up. People have perhaps not supported this project because of many other collections such as the war and the famine in India. These are all proper things to support but do not forget the problems at home. It is not right to question whether educating Maori girls is worthwhile. We have seen that Maori girls can learn to do so many good things. Do not be in two minds should the first students go astray; some will not fail. The Pakeha have the opportunity to do much to help Maori girls. At the end of their schooling they can have them to live in their homes to see how Pakeha live. If people do this then they will not fail to see the beautiful things achieved by the school of which they speak. The Governor’s speech was applauded and praised. Good luck, Governor! What a man! Bishop Cowie, Primate of New Zealand, spoke, encouraging all to see others as their brothers and sisters. Archdeacon Clarke said that the education of girls should have primacy over that of boys in that girls achieve more than boys. Captain Clayton [? Keretana – Te Ako Unknown] moved the motion thanking the Governor for his speech.

FOR THOSE PREPARING FOR CONFIRMATION

God, the Father in heaven, you claimed me as your child at my baptism. By your Holy Spirit, given by you, may I be helped, guided and taught at this time, that I might be ready for Confirmation. Cast out my negative thoughts, my laziness, my love of the world. Take possession of my heart lest I consent to sin. Let my heart be devoted to working for you and walking in your ways. Teach my ignorance and strengthen my weakness. Bless also my friends studying with me for Confirmation. May your grace enable us fully to appropriate the gift given by you in the Laying on of Hands, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

(Should a minister want printed copies of this prayer for his confirmation candidates, he should apply to Herbert Williams.)

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

[12] TRAVELLING AROUND THE MAORI DISTRICTS

(The continuation of the article published in the last issue of Te Pipiwharauroa.)

Religion

Another thing I saw was the evidence of love. From Turanga right to Te Kawakawa there are still four ministers, three of them very old, one alone is able to get around freely. This being said, the great sadness is that only one of the young men from this area is at Te Raukahikatea. If one looks at the people they are like scattered sheep without a shepherd. This they said to me themselves in their speeches. Eruera Kawhia has died, but though this saying is true that ‘The Church’s victory will be won only over the graves of those who have died,’ the time is nigh when our young men must take to heart this great need. This is a plea to the boys who have gained some learning to place their hearts at the disposal of God, and he will send them to his vineyard which languishes there without labourers. You young men at Te Aute, think about this.

Thoughts About Education

This tribe has one remarkable feature which is the concern of the elders that their children get an education to fit them for good jobs. They are proud because from amongst them have come the first young people to enter Pakeha professions. Some are lawyers, some ministers, and some are schoolteachers.

The chiefs of this tribe are delighted to see their children doing well, and they are generous towards them. In Pirimia o Kahukura’s speech to me he said, ‘You young people who have gained proper knowledge “have been planted them as flowers in the garden of Ngati Porou.” Those children who are doing well are our real children; those who are off the rails belong among the thorns.’

So this tribe has improved, knowing that the learning of the Pakeha is important nowadays. It is no surprise then that I saw in Number 25 of Te Pipiwharauroa in the letter from Te Aute that there were 28 boys from Ngati Porou there. Not bad going! If other tribes did the same it would be very good for us Maori. Don’t look critically at your children. The way forward for us lies with them now.

I read these words in a Pakeha book: ‘To those tribal groups who hang on to things as they were in the past, whose elders insist on their authority, watch out! Once the tribe starts to move upwards the old people will be left behind and the young people will come to the fore.’

That’s enough about this Maori area. Greetings to you all in this new year.

On arriving at Raukawa

You raise your hand.

Greetings, Porou,

The evil has abated ….

Tutere Wi Repa.

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