Te Pipiwharauroa 52

Te Pipiwharauroa 52

No. 52

1902/06/01

[Maori Version at NZETC]

[1] Te Pipiwharauroa, He Kupu Whakamarama, Number 52, Gisborne, June 1902

GOOD NEWS

Pretoria, June 1, 1902. ‘This night peace was made.’ Kitchener.

Te Pipiwharauroa observed in April that the leaders of the Boers were meeting and that perhaps the war would be ended. On 2nd of this month Kitchener’s telegram arrived. The Boers had submitted to the authority of King Edward. The whole Empire is happy and glad and full of praise at this good news, the coming of peace. God be praised!

THE DESTRUCTION OF MARTINIQUE

We published in the last flight of this bird the telegram from New York about the destruction of an island of the sea, of Martinique, one of the islands of the West Indies, which experienced a terrible disaster in which thousands of men, women, and children died. It is a good thing when the articles have been brought together carefully and made into a book so that they can be easily found, and for the coming generations to see; we preserve all the copies of Te Pipiwharauroa.

The Island of Martinique

If you look at a map of America you will see a string of islands on the east coast providing a link between North and South America. The largest island is Cuba over which the Americans and the Spaniards fought on 23rd April, 1898. At the southern end is the small island of Martinique. The inclusive name of these islands is the West Indies, that is, India in the West, a name given by Christopher Columbus in 1492. He discovered that the world was round. He said that this was India, mistakenly thinking that his ship had arrived at India in the East, which he would have done had he not been blocked by these islands. These islands are ruled by many peoples – many by the English, but Martinique is ruled by the French. These islands are like the floats of a net; the base is a single mountain standing in the sea with the peaks emerging above [the water]. Martinique is 43 miles long, 19 miles across, and 244,090 acres in area. The highest mountain is Mt Pelée, 4,430 ft. It was this mountain that erupted. The largest town is St Pierre with 36,000 inhabitants. This was the town that was overwhelmed by the volcano. There are 200,000 people on the island - black, mulatto, or European. Most of the people are black mulattos. The religion is Roman Catholic. They are a people whose thought are given over to the pleasures of this world; it is said that they dance every night. Most of the children are illegitimate; 66 in every 100 are born illegitimate. It is a very beautiful island; the houses are fine, and it is wealthy. The main industry of Martinique is making the alcoholic drink rum. There is also much sugar, tea, coffee, cotton and tobacco.

The Eruption of Mt Pelée

On 5th May the flow of lava from Mt Pelée began and buried some of the houses. On 8th there was the major eruption, flames emerged, the hot lava poured down, descending rapidly on the town like a flood, and moving the forests, the rocks and the earth. The mountain is five miles from the town but it was not long before the town was overwhelmed and was consumed by fire. When it arrived at the sea there was hissing and the waves stopped. Eighteen ships were overturned. [2] One ship escaped, an English vessel call the Raddim. Those on deck were all killed by the fire; only the captain and those down below survived. The captain cut the anchor chain and sailed for the open sea. The captain died later. He said, ‘It was as if the whole island was on fire; it was hell.’ Six inches depth of ashes fell on that ship. The first ship to cable the French Government about the destruction of Martinique was a French battleship, the Suachet. The crew of that ship watched the island being burned by the fire. The mountain was still shattering, with fire emerging and descending to consume the town. Five miles of the coast of that island were completely covered in darkness despite the volcanic activity. When the crew of the battleship landed they found no-one alive and not a house standing, but initially they could not get close because there were thousands of corpses snagged on the wharf. Where the church had stood was a pile of 300 naked corpses; all had been burned by the fire; some were still praying with the books in their hands when they were buried by the bubbling lava. On 10th the battleship observed that the town was still on fire. That mountain has erupted seven times. According to some wise men there is a chance that that island will be swallowed up into the depths of the sea.

Later News

It is said that when the shaking started some people wanted to leave but were prevented by the governor who commanded his soldiers to prevent people from going, saying that there was nothing to be afraid of. Only those who fled to the mountains survived, some 5000 who ran before 8 o’clock on 8th. The Governor died, along with the English and American Consuls. The corpses were found kneeling, lying stretched out, or standing, but most were lying flat, and blackened as if painted with tar. The soldiers were still holding their guns. The sea was full of sharks eating the corpses. The noxious gases of the eruption killed most people at first. One black person was imprisoned underground and did not die. After being buried for four days he was discovered and when he was found he ran into the bush. A cow was found which had been severely burned on one side while on the other side not a hair was singed, and one could see the direct way the fire travelled, always in the one direction.

The Destruction of St Vincent

When Mt Pelée erupted on Martinique, Mt Soufrière on St Vincent also erupted. This is an English island to the south of Martinique. A stream of lava half a mile wide descended burying the town and killing perhaps 2000 people. 50,000 are homeless and living outside. Most are indigenous people called Caribs. Only the tops of the trees are now visible. Almost 100 years ago Mt Soufrière erupted and its peak was blown into the sea. It is said that this island will be abandoned.

Latest News

Mt Pelée and Mt Soufrière are still active. Thousands of women and children have been seen surrounded by the molten stream but it has not been possible to fetch them. It is not yet known how many people have died but it is thought that it will be between 30,000 and 36,000.

The whole world is donating money to relieve this dreadful situation – the Governments of France, America, and England, King Edward, the Bank of England, and many caring people.

This is a terrible disaster. We know that God is all-powerful, and that we are in the hollow of his hand, and that should he wish to close his hand that will be the end of us, as in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah. Think about this, people.

NEW ZEALAND TO ENGLAND

(The letter from Henare Kohere.)

Sydney to Albany

Hello, Lad. Greetings to you and Poi there at Te Rau. I am writing to tell you how I am getting on at this time, and how we all are. I am well and it is great travelling by sea. To me travelling by sea is like travelling on land. I don’t get sea-sick. Greetings to you both. I’m a bit sad at heart since no letters from you or from home have reached me; it probably wouldn’t reach me anyway, and while I am travelling you may not think it worthwhile to write.

[3] 

 We are sailing in the Great Australian Bight, and after dinner tomorrow will arrive at Albany, and will leave again after two hours there. Greetings, do keep enquiring about home and how people are getting on. I have been writing for Te Pipi and there you’ll find most of what I have to say. ‘Goodbye once more [In English].’ Don’t worry about me, I am fine, I’m well.’ May God bless and keep you both.

On the evening of Friday, 25th April, we passed through the entrance to Sydney harbour. We Maori looked to see what the town was like. One side of the harbour was filled with houses right to the end. It was a delight to the eyes. The harbour was busy with ships of all kinds. The warships were different; they were on their own moorings and they made one scared. Our ship sailed to the wharf assigned to their company. The Maori shouted and did a haka. Wellington and Christchurch are towns, but beside this town, lad, we’d better leave our towns where they are. Of course you know this. During the morning our ship tied up at the wharf, and soon after dinner we were allowed to go to town, though we were a bit apprehensive about the bubonic disease. The vehicles in this town are excellent. There are tramways, some like trains. Some of these are driven by electricity, others use wires laid out under the ground. Most were in their houses far away. We all arrived and most of us went to the main part of the town where the Pakeha stared at us. When the time came for us to return to the ship, we all made it back. One day we were permitted to go to the town. Some of us, myself included, visited the camp of the New South Wales soldiers who were going to the war or to England. We arrived at the barracks. There we saw some people from Fiji, and they are different – they had no shoes, instead of trousers they wore a mat [lavalava], they had no hats, their hair was long but curly on top and smeared with oil, and we were scared. They are going to England. We went, crossing on one of the small Sydney ferries. We were lost amongst the Pakeha. That was scary too in that we were afraid of going wrong because the town was so large. The Pakeha welcomed us warmly all the time. In the evening we returned to the ship. At half past eight on the Sunday evening our ship sailed. All the ships saluted our ship when we sailed away. Arriving at the harbour entrance we found that the sea was rough. We sailed towards the bottom of Australia. We looked at the appearance of the coastline of this place and it was fearful. Many of us suffered from sea-sickness. Our ministers from the Tenth Division came to pray for us. In the evening one of our horses died and was thrown into the sea. When we awoke one morning the sea had become even rougher and the bow of our ship was plunging into the water. There was nothing to be done but to lie in our blankets. Sadly another of the horses died and had be thrown into the sea. Then one day the sea was calm. We had not yet neared the approach to Melbourne. At last one day we were off Melbourne, the sea was calm, and it was a very beautiful day. During all these days we were in sight of the land. Indeed, on one day, yesterday, we were enraptured by the face of the land and of the sky. The sea was very calm yesterday and today too. The sun shone strongly, and our thoughts turned to home, to our talks and happy times together. We are all well. There is much entertainment on our ship – haka, bands and what have you. A haka has been finished for us but we have not yet mastered it. Our leaders are very good to us. I must finish my account; I am putting together for you what you want. I am not able to keep writing here because we are very busy – we are still drilling. I am sending this article home as you requested. Goodbye, I am well. [Goodbye. In English]

From your brother with love,

Henare.

At sea, May 2nd, 1902.

THE TRINITY

These Sundays are called the ‘Sundays after Trinity’; Trinity being 18th May. This is a very important doctrine of the Church, set out in the three Creeds. It is the main teaching of the Athanasian Creed, in which it says that unless a person believes in the Trinity he cannot have life.

The teaching about the Trinity is difficult for the human heart to grasp. The idea of the Three is clear, but the One-ness of the Three and the Three in One is not congenial to the Maori heart. [4] We are like a child gazing on something wonderful which he does not understand. But then a man does not know himself for he is a unity but also a trinity of body, heart and soul (2 Thessalonians 5.23 – body, soul and spirit). We only see the body but this does not mean that man is one thing, a body, only. If the body is lying there and it is the only thing there then the person is dead. The heart is the source of desires, of anger, of love, of good and evil, and it is with this spiritual side that we approach God who is spirit.

At the Baptism of Christ the Trinity was seen. The Son was standing on the earth, the Spirit was at the place descending like a dove, and the Father was in heaven whence his voice was heard saying, ‘This is my beloved son with whom I am well-pleased.’ A person is baptized in the Name – not the Names – of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit a person is brought to Jesus, to the way (John 14.6) to the Father. ‘For through him (through Christ) we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access by one Spirit unto the Father (Ephesians 2.18 AV)’ It is said that when Patrick was questioned about the Trinity he took the shamrock and said, ‘This is one, but it is also three.’ (See Deuteronomy 6.4; 2 Corinthians 13.14.)

We are taught by the Catechism about the Holy Trinity and his work for the life of mankind:

(1) ‘I learn to believe in God the Father, who hath made me and all the world.’ This has been completed; you have been created.

(2) I learn to believe ‘in God the on, who hath redeemed me, and all mankind.’ This also has been fulfilled, but, friend, do you know that you have been bought by Christ? Yes? Then give to Christ what belongs to him.

(3) I believe in ‘God the Holy Ghost, who sanctifieth me, and all the elect people of God.’ The Spirit is still at work now. But is he working within you? Have you presented your body as a dwelling-place for the Spirit?

The Holy Spirit is wholly devoted to working for the salvation of mankind – we see how much people mean to the heart of God. But perhaps we should compare the Trinity to things of this world to clarify what it means. The Pakeha have one man to draw up plans for the house; that is his work. When the carpenter has built the house, yet another man works on it; this one varnishes and decorates inside the house. Likewise, friend, from the beginning of the world God had a plan to save you. His Son, the Lamb, ‘slain from the foundation of the world (Revelation 13.8)’, fulfilled this salvation for you. He called out from the cross, ‘It is finished!’ However the physical Christ is not able to enter into the hearts of people, and so he said, ‘It is better for you if I go, for if I do not go then the Comforter will not come to you (John 16.7.’ The Spirit enters people’s hearts to make them beautiful inside, to make them holy, ‘and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2 Corinthians 3.17)’, that is, they become princes and are no longer slaves. Where this happens there is love, peace and the fruit of good.

Man, if you know this great joy brought about for you by the Holy Trinity then shout, call out, ‘What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man that thou visitest him? [Psalm 8.4 AV].’ ‘Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! (Psalm 107.8 AV).’

BY THE EDITOR

Why do some people not send their subscriptions for our paper when the red wrapper tells them that it is time to renew their subscriptions? We are reluctant [slow] to stop sending the paper to people, but don’t you be reluctant to send your [subscriptions]. It is not asking much of you to encourage those who print a paper for you, buy the stamps and the paper, and write and do other things, while you just sit there. Some perhaps are forgetful, some perhaps have good intentions, but although they want the paper they will not pay for it. Friends, we do not want to stop sending out the paper, but if you do not remind us that you are still alive by sending five shillings, we will think that you have departed to a different world, and will stop sending the paper to you. Do not be surprised if there is no paper for you next month. If you do not read newspapers you will be ignorant or you'll not understand what is being talked about. This is the final notification.

[5] 

THE FLAG OF THE ARAWA

The Governor and his wife, together with the Minister of Maori Affairs, arrived in Rotorua-nui-a-Kahu on 2nd May, bringing the silk flag and the flag-pole; the flag is 14 feet long. It is silver with the name of the Duke painted in gold in the centre. This flag was given by the Duke as a sign of his love for Te Arawa. This is the most prestigious flag in New Zealand at present. The King commanded that the Governor should carry it into the midst of Te Arawa. The Governor spoke warmly to Te Arawa. Then Te Keepa Te Rangipuawhe greeted the Governor. At the conclusion of the speeches Te Keepa, Captain [Raname], the Governor and his wife, and the Minister, went to dinner on the train.

On May 3rd Timi Kara spoke about the Land Council, and the Te Arawa lands were brought under the mana of the Land Council. Seven hundred of Te Arawa gathered to see the arrival of his flag.

By Tamihana Tikitere.

Rotorua, May 7th, 1902.

SOME WORDS FROM VERY ANCIENT TIMES

Pi, greetings. Bring knowledge to inform all the tribes and all the churches. Your teaching is valued by the whole world, as are your efforts to magnify your Lord, which which serve to promote goodness and to teach the holy things of God. And what of the Church of England, the Church which taught the Maori People part of the wisdom from above, the myriad who have disappeared into the night. Be alive, be firm, very firm.

1. Scatter, scatter, sweep, sweep, scoop up, scoop up, use the dry flax leaves, and capture the Pipiwharauroa. It chatters and gurgles in his trees, the pittosporum that it seeks. Welcome.

2. One bird sings above Kohangaatara, scolding, saying don’t fall, don’t be caught. Welcome, Pi.

3. Friends, turn your ears to listen to the song of the Pipi, calling out, ‘Join together!’

Join us together, Pi. This is your bait. Come. God, who created all things, be praised. He is the A. and the [Nga.], the Alpha and the Omega.

Concerning the mistakes in the distribution of the medals, these are the final words of Waaka Huia:

Ngungu ana te kuku, ketekete ana te kaka.

‘The pigeon eats greedily while the parrot is chattering.’

This saying is similar,

’Tuke Rarawa tuke Wharekaapu.’ [?Meaning]

Taniwha ki Tai whakamauriri, tangata ki uta whakamauahara

‘Fight with a monster in the sea; incite hatred against a person on land.’  

Perhaps the saying concerning Waihuka is pertinent,

Waiho ra kia tangihia he tangi mo te Taiua, he roa te tau ki a koe e Tuteamoamo.

‘Wait until we have sung a lament for Taiua; there is plenty of time yet for you, Tuteamoamo.'  [cf Nga Pepeha 226]

[We received Waaka Huia’s letter and he is attacking us still for not publishing his article. He is threatening us, saying that he will publish our misdoings in the Pakeha newspapers. (I wonder what newspaper would publish his articles.) He uses strong words.

Waaka writes about four subjects, the first being knowledge. Are they parables - or what? As to some of his words, we do not know which language they are in. These are some of them: [‘he Wawera A., te Kanahonete H., Tarai Puruki, Puruwhi Tautoko, Pamere.] We do not know the meaning of these words. The second subject is clergy stipends. His response is not new and has already been said by someone. The third subject is the distribution of medals at Rotorua – a topic which is old hat, and so we did not publish it. However his words, approximate as they are, from the very ancient past, people can see. – Editor.]

THE HUI AT WAIMATE

The reason the hui was held at Waimate was to seek a way by which the Maori Church can be supported, because the following message was sent from the Finance Committee of the Maori Church which met in Wellington on February 12th, 1902: ‘This Committee is sad because it is not able to find stipends or pensions for the clergy, Pakeha or Maori, working here in Aotearoa, after 31st December, 1902. And notice of this is to be sent to each minister to whom the Committee is providing his stipend or part of his stipend at present.’

The Diocese of Auckland has two sources of stipends for the Maori clergy: one is the Church Missionary Society of the Church of England; the other is the Ministry Support Fund of the Diocese of Auckland. At the end of this year the support from England ceases. [6] For more than eighty years it has graciously supported the growth of the Maori Church. This has been extended until the Church has grown up; now it for it the Church to devise a way of supporting itself. And so the whole Church here in New Zealand, the Pakeha section and the Maori section, has been instructed to come up with a proposal about this thing.

The people who came to this hui were the clergy, the laymen, and some of the leading elders as well as some of the leading young people of the area north of Auckland.

The president of the hui was Archdeacon Wallis [?Wallace]. The secretaries were Matiu Kapa and Timoti Kawau.

The main subject dealt with at this hui was raising money to sustain the Maori Church.

The following motions were passed on this subject:

1. That each person in each parish should contribute one shilling a month.

2. That this collection extend over one year. After one year the Hui of the Church will meet again to review the outcome, whether successful or unsuccessful, of this proposal.

3. It is for the committee of each church to appoint their collector.

4. Each parish is to arrange the place for each event.

(The Hui decided that each parish should appoint two people to look after the money in the Post Office Bank.)

5. This collection should start in April 1902 and continue until March 1903.

Philip Wallis [?], Archdeacon.

THE TE AUTE ASSOCIATION

The Hui at Te Aute

(By Tipi-Whenua.)

I have written about the visit of the some of the members of the Association to Napier on the evening of Saturday, 10th February, to preach to the Pakeha about the objectives of the Association and also about the Girls’ School being established in Auckland.

On the Monday morning the hui met again. There was a letter from Mr Pope expressing his sadness that he was not able to attend and that he had not sent a message to the hui. However, in his report to Parliament he will say some things about some of the issues facing the Maori People.

Apirana Ngata spoke first about preserving those Maori activities which were being lost by people; it is right that we preserve our distinctiveness as Maori. Preserve the stories of former times.

Paratene Ngata said that men should also carry on being tattooed, with the members of the Association being the first.

Let the Students of Te Aute Milk Cows

Paraire Tomoana moved that the students of Te Aute be taught to milk cows, to provide more milk for the college, and to provide more butter so that there can be an end to eating dripping.

Apirana Ngata said that the main work of Te Aute was to teach the minds. If the students had to milk cows they would have to get up at dawn.

Archdeacon Williams also criticized this motion. It is for the parents of these students to teach them to milk cows; it is too cold at Te Aute for the students to get up at dawn. Teaching the mind was different from teaching manual skills. The parents of the students had told him that their children should not be taught things they can learn at home.

Tame Arapata thought that after school the students could be taught making butter and farming skills.

Apirana Ngata spoke again about the pupils of Te Aute. Most of them are working with pens which is the Te Aute pupil’s ultimate achievement; it is only by such work that he will earn his living. The pay is small. When the lad is wanted by the Pakeha he spends money and falls into debt. Why was he not taught manual skills? ‘Travel your own road, it is yours alone.’

Reweti Kohere spoke briefly to the motion saying that it is wrong for those who have completed their schooling at Te Aute to lay down what work present pupils should be doing. and, besides, the pupils at the school do not want to milk cows.

In his reply Paraire Tomoana said that Pakeha children knew how to approach, and to work with, the knowledge they learned in school, whereas the Maori child had no example to follow. Teach the children agriculture; don’t teach them to be lazy. He withdrew his motion.

[7] 

The Achievements of the Association

Following the request by Mr Thornton that the results of the work of the Association in each place be made known, Rev A O Williams of Whanganui stood to tell of what he had seen in his area. He said that the people had adopted the teaching of the Te Aute Association. The villages on the Whanganui were very fine: the marae had been tidied up, the pigs removed to one side of the river, the houses raised up. All these things were results of the Rat Act passed by Parliament, and we all know that that law was the result of the teaching of the Te Aute Association. When Dr Valentine visited Whanganui he said that Putiki was the cleanest village he had seen.

Peneti pointed out how good the Taranaki villages looked.

Reweti Kohere said that he believed that the best outcome at present from the work of the Association, besides those things the eyes can see – the sweeping of the marae, the improvements to the houses and other things – the most important thing was the people’s heartfelt desire for the new practices we have been speaking about, their wanting our instruction. The heart of the people is ready for the building anew of the way of the Maori People. When the Marae Act was passed all the people supported it. They were not angry at the inconvenience and the way their ancient practices were defied. When he visited Whanganui and Taupo the main thing he overheard people speaking about was the Rat Act only. This was a good sign. The teaching of the Association paved the way for the Marae Act; when it came into law people were already familiar with it. It was not something strange.

Pene Heihi said that in Waiapu people were much engaged in agriculture to make their livings and many boys were involved in sheep farming. The elders were supporting the Association. The large houses had been ventilated so that air could circulate inside and outside. Two houses have not yet been ventilated, but Porourangi, the most important house of ‘Porou is about to be ventilated. And Hinetapora will not be missed out in their area, however it was being delayed by an elder. That elder says that the day that house is ventilated is the day that he will die.

Ihaia Hutana believes that the Maori are different now – this is a new life. Sicknesses have decreased, as has the drinking of alcohol – ‘people have become ashamed of beer now.’ People are clean; they are always washing their clothes; ‘the patterned tablecloth is blowing on the wind.’ People are taking more care of their bodies.

Paratene Ngata said that he had lived for many years in Harataunga where the works of the Association are widespread. A church has been built; old houses have been burned down and new houses built; roads have been made; and the village has been fenced in. Harataunga is a very fine marae. A school has been built, though under the School Board. The one thing wrong is that Harataunga has no minister.

Aperahama Tamihere said that while he was at Whakatane he saw the effects of the activities of the Association insofar as the houses had been ventilated and alcohol had been banished from the marae. Many children were attending school. The people there say, ‘Look to the school at Te Aute, the Te Aute Association – they are based on the Faith.’ Tieki Rewiri really wanted to attend this hui. ‘Our work in helping is not without results; but be strong in this constructive work.’

Tame Arapata pointed out what he had seen in Turanga where, like other villages, they wished to improve. New things are happening there now, digging pits to get rid of what is wrong. One village has been fenced with wire mesh, some women have made flower gardens in front of the houses, and some people are using knives and forks in their homes.

Rupuha te Hianga of Porangahau said that his village, the marae and the roads were good. A church has been completed. There are more Maori in the Maori town than Pakeha in the Pakeha town and more Maori houses than Pakeha. The children are attending school and all is progressing.

Nepe te Apatu said that his home was Waipawa which is now a town. There are no Maori houses or fences. They have a church, a store and a butcher’s shop. The doctor praised Waipawa. There are good occupations, drinking is decreasing, and all the people are attending worship on Sundays and singing hymns. The people of Waipawa have cows and sheep.

Rev. Katene Pukerua said that the houses of Heretaunga are good as are the clothes of the people which are like those of the Pakeha, drinking is decreasing, and people are using their money wisely. Monday is the day when the women thoroughly wash the clothes. There is growth in church attendance, [8] but he did not know how much the faith was taken to heart.

Riwai Hiwinui said that drinking had also disappeared from Waikawa (Picton) and the marae had been made sacred. Activities in Wairau were making progress: Okoha had been made very nice.

At this point a woman stood and said that the great need of the Maori is for money; with money the work can be accomplished.

The Rev. Arthur Williams spoke about the young men of Te Aute who have left school saying that they appear to him to be doing well. He had seen some clean houses belonging to the young people of Te Aute; the young person who is wise is taking the feathers of the Pakeha. The young people of Te Aute who were not supporting the Association and were doing nothing are subverting the Association and dragging it down.

The last words about the works of the Association were from Apirana Ngata. He said that at the beginning of the enterprise some people belittled it. Most of the work in the beginning was in Waiapu, on the basis of the saying, ‘Start with your own marae.’ Maori earnestly want to send their children to school. Mahuta is about to send his son to the school. Only Tuhoe and Atiawa have no children at Te Aute. Let Te Aute educate the chiefs. The children of the schools and villages are recommended to look at the young people of Te Aute. ‘A new spirit has now entered the Maori schools.’

Apirana spoke again of the ventilation of houses and the suppression of alcohol; no house is being built without windows. The ideals of the Association are making progress on the Whanganui River. The Te Aute Association was like Paihia, the place from which the Faith was spread to all the tribes of New Zealand. The Minister had constructed a law to suppress alcohol because that law was wanted by most of the people. The Minister of Maori Affairs has brought into being a law for us. Peneti has been stirring up the Pakeha folk. We were wary of the Pakeha, but now we see that the Pakeha has great affection for us when they have an opportunity for showing that affection. We have put the spirit of industry into the hearts of young men. It is no longer a pleasure for a person to lie about; he would be eaten up with shame. The Councils have found a gateway for making known the ideas and the practices of the young people of Te Aute. ‘Be hard-headed in collecting money. Let us work as one with the elders.’

(To be continued.)

A CALAMITY CAUSED BY HONEY

There was an elder who was nearly 100. He lived alone in his home at Waitanui. When he thought that his days were almost at an end he spoke to the people of Te Hoe-a-Tainui, a village near Morrinsville on the railway to Rotorua, saying that they were not to worry about his death because he would find his own grave. On Friday, 25th April, that elder disappeared from his home. Then eight men set out to look for the body of that elder believing that perhaps he would be lying in a cave. They looked carefully but did not find him. Evening came and they were hungry so they went to the elder’s house. Because they were hungry they opened up one of the elder’s beehives and ate. One hour after eating they were struck ill. Three died that night and two in the morning. Within 24 hours the remaining three were in a coma on their return, the speech of one had gone completely. The names of these three who died are Matate, Hatara and Tumakere.

This is a terrible calamity. Two weeks before, a feast was held at Waitanui and people were happy. On Monday, 28th, there was a funeral and the lamenting was heard for a mile and a half. These were all fine men who had died, thoughtful and industrious. Our hearts are grief-stricken because of this disaster. We grieve for the relations. We salute our dead.

These men died because some of the flowers from which the bees made their honey were poisonous. There are three trees which have toxic liquid in their flowers, brachyglottis repanda [rangiora], clematis paniculata, and ranunculus rivularis. However two months after the making of the honey the fatal chemical has disappeared. These two months are bad ones for eating honey.

Some years ago three children died at Matata from eating honey – Te Teira, Te Ngarara, and Teri. When they were going to catch pigs they came across a bees’ nest. Not long after eating the honey they became ill. They hurried to the river to drink and bathe. Two died while still on the river bank. ‘While we live we are in the midst of death.’

[We received a letter from Mata Pakaea of Woodland, telling of this tragedy. According to her there were 10 men. Greetings to you, friend. – Editor.]

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A BELOVED PERSON

By Te Mahara.

Not everyone who dies is grieved for in the same way: for some there is much lamenting, for others little; for some their deaths are a cause of delight to people; some will never be forgotten; for others no tears will be shed, eyes will be dry. What sort of person will be lamented, will not be forgotten, will continue to be loved, and whose living friends will be lonely because they have died?

A person will not necessarily be loved when he dies because he is a chief. Love is not given without cause. Although the man is a chief, if he is not a good man, his death will not be a cause of much sadness. It is also not the case that a person will be greatly loved because he has done great things. He may be praised by people but he will not necessarily be loved. It is not our great deeds that lead us to be loved, and lamented when we pass on. There was never a funeral like that of Queen Victoria when the whole world wept. She was lamented not because she did great things, or for her bravery in war, or for her wisdom, or for her great laws, but people were sad; she was loved, she was mourned, for her character – she was good, she was gentle, she was kind to people. We will be loved, not because of our great works but because of small characteristics – gentleness, peacefulness, fondness, kindness to people, the denial of our own concerns and desires, forgetting of ourselves and rather thinking of others. This is the greatest person, the one whose loss will gnaw at our hearts.

Even so, Heremaia te Aari was not widely known; his name was not known throughout the land for his great deeds; nor was he a learned man, someone who spoke out or laid down ways, or who spoke on the marae, indeed he did not know how to orate; but on his death people were grief-stricken, and his small deeds will not be forgotten by those who knew him. When Heremaia died at Horoera, East Cape, there was a huge funeral at ‘Te Pohutu’ attended by elderly women as well as children when tears flowed from eyes unfamiliar with that practice. The sobbing of people was not like the usual expressions at funerals but were a welling up of love from the heart as tears poured from their eyes. In these times people’s hearts will not forget the things Heremaia did. Why did people love Heremaia so much? He was gentle, peaceable, affectionate; he cared for people, he was a man of faith. His small doings touched the hearts of people.

Heremaia was an industrious man who didn’t tire of work; for him to be tired at work was to be lazy. Heremaia built a fence and when he had finished it some people came and took it over as an allotment for themselves. Heremaia said nothing but simply nodded his head. He was building another fence when he was struck down by illness.

In the speeches on the occasion of the death of Heremaia people spoke of how Heremaia welcomed travelling parties. He would disappear to find food for them. Heremaia would dive for crayfish at night in his efforts to find food for parties who arrived at his home at night. Should a visitor arrive at night, if there was no food Heremaia and his wife would go to scoop up trout. When the plates of food were presented to the visitor he would wonder where Heremaia’s crayfish and trout came from; he had never dived and fished at night.

Heremaia and his wife provided a resting place for the ministers, Maori and Pakeha. When the minister arrived he would take charge of the horse, take off the saddle and put the horse in the paddock. Although he was an elder he did not think of himself as important. He and he wife were the pillars of the Faith at Horoera; they knew the Scriptures. However these were his external activities. No bad or angry words ever came out of his mouth. He loved his wife and children and grandchildren and everyone. ‘He didn’t have a single enemy.’

This account is written so that people may see and know what true faith is like as seen in the deeds and the character of the heart. Such a person is the great one before God – a chief. Although he has gone his gracious works are a stone memorial to him.

ADDITIONAL ITEMS

The Bank of New Zealand has extended until 26th August, 1902, a final day for the payment of the mortgages on company land in the Turanga area; on that day the lands will be put up for sale if the mortgage is not paid.

[10] Three battleships are being built for the English, each weighs 17,500 tons and costs £1,300,000. These are the largest battleships in the world.

A Maori woman has sold part of her section in Wellington for a price of £26,000.

In 1898 the captain of a ship threw a bottle containing a letter into the sea off Cape Town. Africa. In March 1901 it was found by a Pakeha on the beach at Kaipara. The bottle had travelled 8000 miles in three years.

In October Lord Hopetoun, Governor General of Australia, returns to England. According to him, he is resigning his post because the pay is too little. He is paid £10,000 a year. He wants to supplement his pay for his expenses outside his work as governor.

An Australian woman has arrived in New Zealand to sing; she gets paid £250 a night for singing two songs.

A small three year-old girl was found, dressed in nice clothes, floating in the river in Christchurch. She was dead. The mother was found sitting above. It is said that it was she who threw the girl into the water. That woman is now in the mental asylum.

Because of his constant drinking, a woman from from Parnell, Auckland, left her husband and took their children to live in a different house. They were followed by the man. When his wife came out to speak to him he shot her in the head. He shot his four year-old child and also his four months-old child. Afterwards the man shot himself. Through the skill of the doctors it is possible that all four of them may survive. The man is a human being but under the influence of drink he becomes a devil.

Ngati Pamoana have given the Government 20 acres at Koroniti for the Model House being built for the school children. These houses will be built by the Government and the people will pay a small rent.

Government proposals will come into effect providing for all who are working for the Government who reach the age of 65 to retire. We have heard that Mr Pope, Inspector of Maori Schools, is one who will retire.

Mr Seddon has been given an enthusiastic and warm welcome by the men and the officers who have been fighting in Africa. He has visited Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town and other towns. He met Lord Kitchener, Lord Alfred Milner, Governor of South Africa, Baden-Powell and others. He also spoke to the New Zealand soldiers. The name of New Zealand is highly honoured in Africa and in the whole world.

A ship was carrying horses to Africa – almost 900, when, in the middle of the ocean the propeller failed. It was blown to and fro for some weeks by the wind. Since the food for the horses was almost finished the first mate and three others were ordered to get into the boat and take news to land. They rowed for many weeks, covering almost 1000 miles. At one stage they entered a storm but they arrived safely in Australia. After them, their ship was found by another ship and towed to land. The first mate has now been made captain.

The Grave of Cecil Rhodes.

The grave of Cecil Rhodes was hewn into the rock on the lofty top of Mount Matopo in a very remote land. The body was loaded onto an ox cart to be carried up. Ten black oxen pulled it. There were 3000 blacks on the summit for the interment and the leaders of those people made farewell addresses to that great man of the Empire, Cecil Rhodes. These are the words inscribed on the stone which covers the grave: ‘Here rests the body of Cecil Rhodes.’

An Ancient Cave

An ancient sacred cave has been found at Waimamaku, Hokianga, a place where bodies were laid in former times. Many Maori treasures were found inside. The most important artefacts were the coffins which were all decorated with carving. The carving is different from the carving in these days. It is a style of carving not seen before. The Maori gave permission to take those things but would not take them themselves. There are no longer any living descendants of those deceased. Those coffins and the things in the cave will be preserved in the Museum in Auckland.

The Minister for Maori Affairs.

At the conclusion of the hui at Rotorua the Hon. Timi Kara went to Tauranga, Whakatane and other places to urge those tribes to bring their lands under the jurisdiction of the Land Councils Act. Those tribes agreed, though we have heard that Ngaiterangi were difficult. The Minister arrived at Waahi to see Mahuta and Waikato and to urge Waikato to come under the Councils Act and this was agreed by Mahuta and all Waikato.

[11] 

News is that soon Mahuta will sit in Parliament, and that perhaps he will take the first of Timi Kara’s positions as assistant to the Minister of Maori Affairs. The pay is £400 per annum. The musicians in the band which welcomed the Minister were Maori girls.

GENERAL MEETING OF THE MARAE COUNCILS.

There was much speaking and many actions at this hui and there were many votes, however I have to apologise because I did not write down the speeches thinking that the discussions of the Marae Councils would be recorded by the secretary of the hui, however, because of the large amount of business, the report has not yet arrived.

More of the members of the Councils came to the first General Meeting. Apirana Ngata was Chairman and he it was who took the business forward. The subjects dealt with at the hui [?i tu Rata - ?held at Rata] were scrutinized.

1. It was arranged to write a gazette for all the Marae Councils. Those councils would pay for it. It would publish the reports, the regulations, the messages from the Government, and other things affecting the councils. There would be two editions a month. It was not yet decided where it should be printed; perhaps at the office of Te Pipiwharauroa or that of Te Puke-ki-Hikurangi. The Government it to be asked to support that paper.

2. Following Dr Pomare’s speeches about setting up a hospital for the Maori, the Councils agreed to help that hospital. It should be established in an appropriate place, with Maori doctors and nurses, and bring together Pakeha and Maori wisdom about sickness.

3. There was mention of half-castes insofar as the Councils have no authority over them. The perception was that the Councils have authority over the half-castes when they identify themselves with the Maori.

4. It was realised that the Councils had no authority to demand payment of Pakeha traders, as the law specifies a ‘Maori’. It was requested that the word ‘Maori’ be deleted and the word ‘person’ be substituted. A person’s trading licence is not valid in the area of another Council.

5. It was decided to request the Pakeha Councils to give to the Maori Councils the power to tax the dogs of Pakeha which are not dealt with by the Pakeha Council because they are too far away.

6. The Government should be asked to increase the funding for the Councils. There is a Pakeha proverb: ‘He who shoots at the moon shoots higher than he who shoots at the tree.’ Therefore there should be an increase in the money asked for.

THE HUI OF THE HOROUTA COUNCIL

One day was allocated to the Horouta Council and most of those at the hui listened in. Apirana Ngata was again the Chairman. The Minister greeted the Horouta Council and instructed the hui that a report of that hui be sent to Te Pipiwharauroa, however that report has not yet arrived and so we publish those words which we grasped.

Apirana Ngata, the Chairman, presented the Report which showed that Horouta is functioning strongly. It has held two meetings. The council’s money amounts to £213. More than £61 came from the dog tax, the remainder came from money collected by people at their gatherings. But the total of Horouta’s money will reach £300 when it is brought together. All the money has been put in the bank.

The Report ended with the matter of Te Manihera Waititi of Whangaparaoa. He asked for money to improve his marae. He was in a hurry with his request so that his people could soon see the money they had collected being used for their own benefit. Some people asked if the money was coming from the Council or the Government. The Council agreed to Te Manihera’s request but the Chairman said that when the work was completed the bill would be sent to him and he would have to send a cheque. As a result of Te Manihera’s eagerness there has built up a fund of £10.

Wi Pokiha has drawn down a bill of £30. He told of his projects. At Waipiro a trench is to be dug and pipes laid to drain the burial ground. At Whareponga timber will be purchased to build a lavatory. At Hiruharama it will be used to build a fence and a lavatory. Akuaku will have to wait for their massive project. £1000 will be required for the renovation of Akuaku. The damage was not insignificant. Wi Pokiha’s request was granted.

Kopu Erueti of Maraenui was one who requested money for plans in his district. The members donated money.

[12] 

CALENDAR : JULY

Day 6 New Moon 5h 41m p.m.

Day 21 Full Moon 1h 47m p.m.

1 T

2 W

3 Th

4 F Fast

5 S

6 S Sixth Sunday after Trinity

Morning Evening

2 Samuel 1 2 Samuel 12.1-24

Acts 13.1-26 Matthew 1.1-18

7 M

8 T

9 W

10 Th

11 F Fast

12 S

13 S Seventh Sunday after Trinity

1 Chronicles 21 1 Chronicles 22

Acts 17.1-16 Matthew 6.1-19

14 M

15 T

16 W

17 Th

18 F Fast

19 S

20 S Eighth Sunday after Trinity

1 Chronicles 29.9-29 2 Chronicles 1

Acts 21.17-37 Matthew 10.1-24

21 M

22 T

23 W

24 Th Vigil, Fast

25 F James, Apostle Athanasian Creed

2 Kings 1.1-16 Jeremiah 26.8-16

Luke 9.51-57 Matthew 13.1-24

26 S

27 S Ninth Sunday after Trinity

1 Kings 10.1-25 1 Kings 11.1-15

Acts 26 Matthew 13.53 – 14.13

28 M

29 T

30 W

31 Th

DIVING TO THE HEART OF THE MOUNTAIN.

[?’‘KA RUKU KI TE ARO MAUNGA.']

Pacific Ocean,

T S Drayton Grange.

April 18th, 1902.

To Kohere,

Greetings, friend. I have great love for you and for home, since I am cut off from home in a different place. At first being so far away seemed like being in a different place. I salute you.

This is my request to you to send me Te Pipiwharauroa to be my friend in that far different place. Tomorrow morning our ship arrives at Sydney; on Monday night we sailed from Wellington. 

Best wishes, friend.

Harehare Ropiha.

[Harehare asked to go to fight in Africa. With the setting up of the Tenth Division his wish was fulfilled. Because he was afraid he would not be sent as he is Maori, he translated his name into English and is now called Charles Robson. – Editor.]

A NOTICE

To those wanting a Prayer Book or Hymn Book. I now have plenty of books The prices are:

Large, soft cover 2/6

Large, red cover 3/-

Large, hard cover 4/-

Large, superior cover 5/6

Small, soft cover 1/-

Small, red cover 1/6

Small, hard cover 2/6

Small, superior cover 3/6

Hymns -/6

Clergy requiring Hymn Books can contact J Upton, Auckland, and the price will be less.

I will pay the postage to send the books to you

H W Williams,

Te Rau, Gisborne

People wanting a Bible or a New Testament should apply to the Bible Depository Sunday School Union, Auckland.

Bible, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 1/-.

New Testament with explanatory headings 2/6, 3/-, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.

Small New Testament with Psalms 2/-, 2/6, 3/-, 3/6, 4/-. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.

SUPPLEJACK SEEDS FOR OUR BIRD

5/- Thos. Ngatitu, Hata Kiwara, Te Whai Erami, Canon Gould, Tame Pewhairangi.