PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY SIR GEORGE GREY, BY A DEPUTATION OF ROTORUA CHIEFS.
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MAORI MEMENTOES,
&c, &c.
PRESENTATION OF AN ADDRESS
TO
HIS EXCELLENCY SIR GEORGE GREY,
by
A DEPUTATION OF ROTORUA CHIEFS.
ON Saturday, the 24th instant, a deputation of Native Chiefs from Rotorua, waited on His Excellency Sir George Grey. There were about thirty of the principal men, but two or three dark-eyed ladies followed in the train, and by a little tact and dint of perseverence they managed to squeeze themselves into the apartment. The parties were all respectably attired in European clothing, except a mat or two carelessly thrown over the dress, and intended as a parting gift to the Governor. The New-Zealander likes to show his gratitude and affection in a substantial way, although he is not at all behind in giving utterance to the deep feelings of the heart.
William Marsh Rangikaheke was chosen speaker on this occasion. He briefly told Sir George Grey that the object of the present visit was to present a valedictory address to His Excellency, but he hoped that the Governor's absence from New Zealand would be only of a temporary nature.
After sundry gesticulations and whispers among themselves, as to how the performance was to be conducted, they broke out in full chorus, chaunting the song which opens with the address. It was sung in a subdued tone, with great pathos, there being in this mournful melody, an absence of those wild shrieks so grating to the ears of Europeans. As the last words of the poetry died away, the Maori orator commenced the task allotted to him, by reading the other portions of the Address, which he executed in a masterly style. His movements were extremely graceful, and his emphasis
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good, and one cannot help thinking that many speakers among our own countrymen might learn a lesson from the respectful and dignified deportment of these interesting people.
While reading a certain clause in the Address, Rangikaheke broke off abruptly, took the mat that was thrown over his shoulder and laid it at the Governor's feet; another was immediately placed with it, by a party on the opposite side of the apartment, and while thus evincing their profound respect for the Governor, a deep silence pervaded the sorrowful throng, which was broken by the speaker resuming his oratory, and the whole was wound up by chaunting the concluding song in the Address.
The Address itself is a good specimen of Maori composition, and much time and labour are absolutely necessary in order to do it justice. As it is, there are no doubt many points both curious and beautiful overlooked, the idioms of the two languages being so dissimilar.
The exit of the Deputation was as imposing as their entrance. They passed out of the room one by one, shaking hands with the Governor and politely bowing to him. Indeed the whole affair is alike creditable to the intellect and affection of these inland chiefs.
TRANSLATION OF ADDRESS.
Go! while the sun is shining
Great Shelter of our land!
Go! while the hearts are pining,
Of this once savage band,
Go! while the winds are playing
In gusts, above our head:
The while our hearts are saying,
"He's now to us, as dead!"
Go!--And before the morrow
Gaze on the dark deep sea!
And then these hearts in sorrow,
Shall whisper, --"where is he?"
This is our farewell address to you, O Friend Governor Grey.
The Chiefs and people of New Zealand, especially those of Rotorua 1 let you go forth bearing their love. Suppose not O Governor that this affection for you is merely an outside thing, no; it comes from the inward recesses of the heart.
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We hoped that your heart would rest here with us.
Now, hearken. When the missionaries first came to this land, there was little industry, and little good was visible, but there was much indolence, and much wickedness, and all lived in ignorance. Then, God kindled his light, and lo, it became as day.
After this came Governor Hobson; and then a little fear 2 came over us. After him came Governor FitzRoy, and things went on in a similar way. But when you came, O Governor Grey, it was like the shock of an earthquake; your fame rose to the centre of the island, and extended to the waves on the ocean's shore. You came with two lights and these are they:-- the lamp of God, and the lamp of the world, 3 Your efforts on behalf of God's cause are, --the establishments of Schools, the erection of houses of prayer, thus following in the footsteps of the Church. These are the things you did in regard to the body:--encouraged industry in the cultivation of the soil, pointed out the means of acquiring property, and raised this island to its present state of prosperity. You have done these things; you have taught us to shun evil, and, pointed out the bad practices of this world so that we might cast them aside. You have been as one of the Ministers of the Churches, therefore we call you by these names:--the Peacemaker, the Honorable, the Friendly one, the Loving one, the Kind one, the Director, the Protector, the Far-famed one, the Lifter-up and the Father, 4
Altho' we heard of your projected departure we thought nevertheless that you would stay. Both you and the Bishop are going, New Zealand will thus be left without a Parent.
O cause the troubled wave to sleep,
And silent keep the sea;
Nor let us hear its deafening roar
Resound along the rocky shore;
Till
5 be shall speak to me.
Till he shall speak in accents mild,
And wave this tuft of green;
6
For Tangaroa
7 will hear his words,
And Oi
8 in the train of birds
Shall smile upon the scene,
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The clear stream that was, has now become turbid. The rain will fall upon the earth, and who is here to clear away the mists and usher in the cloudless sky? 9 You are not here to sing:--
O brighten ye heavens! no longer entomb
The land and the ocean in such a dense gloom.
Come rays from the planet that shines thro' the storm,
And scatters in triumph the clouds as they form.
O close up the caverns, whence rushes the air,
Nor howl in defiance regardless of prayer:
But let the mild breezes come forth from the West.
And forest, and ocean, and river shall rest
If the Queen had sent for you it would be right to go; but this desire of leaving emanates from yourself. Do not despise 10 your children [in leaving them thus.]
Daughters' rehearse for him the
Song, and if ye can, search out his deeds.
Was it a light thing that he did in
Bringing from a distant land
On board the vessel of the Waraki.
11
The axe and other treasures?
And what do we possess?
A bordered mat
12 it may be
Lies within our basket; and at
Repo where the mists are circling
Hound the hills, another robe
Is kept, reserved to wear when
Warrior Chieftains of Tirangi tribe
Sweep o'er the rippling tides in
Carved canoes.
Will Rangikahui
13 fill
Up the void, and quell
The foe? And will he
Drive away the restive
Spirits from the land as
Far as Tamaiharoa's country
Hikuwai? Then we may
Bask along the sandy shore
Secure from harm.
Friend, Do not persist in going hence. Turn and reside amongst us.
They speak from far and who can tell.
But they may bind you by a spell,
Nor loose you e'er again?
But is your heart so void of love,
That you should of their words approve.
And make our pleading vain?
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Son, there will be no man to perform the ceremony of taking off the tapu of this house. 14
Let Tangaroa
15 be seated high
Upon the house now made;
And every evil then shall fly,
And peaceful be its shade.
And Tu
16 will turn with placid brow.
Nor let the foe draw near;
And love shall whisper then, as now,
In ev'ry dewy tear.
Then let the house be sprinkled o'er
With water
17from the brook
So terror shall he felt no more,
Within our village nook.
If you are determined to leave, your vessel will not be able to combat with the elements; nevertheless you shall have this charm to still the tempest:--
Waves that rise as mountains,
Bursting from the fountains
Of the deep:--
Proud and angry billow.
Where the sea-fowl pillow,
Calmly sleep!
Hawaiki's
18 foaming waters.
Where our noblest daughters,
Sang of yore!
Where the Kawau
19roameth,
And the wild wind moaneth.
Strive no more!
Mighty, trackless, ocean,
Ever in commotion,
Gently reign!
Stars, friendly, that were shining.
Moon, thro' the mists declining,
Wake again!
You cannot love us, since you are determined to go. The people of Port Nicholson strove to detain you, and we, the tribes here, are endeavouring to hold you back, but you will not stay. Is this so? We thought that you would be to us in New Zealand as a father. 20
Go then thou great one: the pride of the people. On the day that the great one shall depart, let him be escorted [by the tribes] and let his attendants bear him along to the tides of Matirau; 21
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and father, when thou shall arrive at Waiariki, 22 return, return to us.
I see him not.
I see the foggy cloud above the mountains'
Height, that harbinger of summer's balmy
Morn, --but see him not.
Haste Tiki with your guns;
23 - throw
Open wide your magazines, and pay
The homage due to such a Chief.
My son! evils in secret lurk, and
Friends are torn away by death or otherwise
But the cause is neither seen, nor known
By those who weep their absence.
Come near my son, till I salute
Thee; for thou wilt take thy walks in
Other climes, and robe thyself in richer
Garments than the Maories wear.
Bring forth the feathers of the
Huia, That bird so prized that flits across
The towering hills of Tararu.
And bring the feathers of the Albatross,
That bird that skims along the
Mountain wave; bring them to crown
The brow of the loved one, going to
The North to greet his fathers. And
Thus arrayed sit at the entrance of thy
Dwelling, and look on scenes more dear
Perhaps to thee.
My son, we fondly hoped that thou wouldst tarry
With us long, to bless the thousands that
Attend thy steps with peace and plenty.
These are the names of the chiefs who addressed to you these friendly sentiments. [When this address was presented, a document was laid on the table in regard to some abuses among the native population; these Chiefs took this opportunity of calling the Governor's attention to the matters in question. They are here called laws, because they wished some act passed in order to meet the grievance complained of.] They have given up to you also seven laws, and their desire is that you should remain, or rather that you should return from England. (Signed)
Eruera Wiremu Kahawai
Rapata Paraone
Ngamoni
Kiore
Wiremu Katene
Hori Haupapa
Waretini
Pini te Korekore
Iharaira
Pikau
Marino
Hohaia
Te Kakau
Te Roke,
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MAHARATANGA MAORI,
ME ARA ATU MEA.
POROPOROAKITANGA KI A KAWANA KEREI, NA NGA RANGATIRA O ROTORUA.
I te Turei, i te 24 o te Marama ka tae ake ki a Kawana Ta Hori Kerei nga Rangatira o Rotorua. Haere ake nga tangata etoru te kau, otira, aru atu ana i te hiku o taua pahi, nga wahine Maori tokorua, tokotoru, a, na te mahi pauaua o ratou, ka tapoko ki te nohoanga o te Runanga nei i roto i te whare. Kahu Pake--ha, Pakeha kau to te whakaminenga nei, erua nga kahu Maori i whiua ki nga pokohiwi o etahi, he taonga hoatu noa ki a te Kawana, he tohu aroha na ratou. E mea ana te tangata Maori kia whakakitea tona whakamahara, me tona aroha i runga i te taonga, haunga hoki nga puputanga ake o te aroha i te puna o te ngakau.
Ko Wiremu Maihi Rangikaheke i whiriwhiria e te pahi nei, hei kai korero. Mea atu ana ia ki a te Kawana, ko te take i haere mai ai enei rangatira, he kawe mai i te pukapuka Poroporoaki ki a ia. I mea ano hoki ia, ko to ratou ohianga tenei, kia kaua e roa atu te nohoanga o te Kawana, otira, kia whakaaro mai ano ki tona kainga ki Niu Tireni.
Korerorero ana, whakariterite ana i to ratou mea i haerea mai ai; inamata! haruru ana te reo i te whakahuatanga o te Waiata i te timatanga o te pukapuka poroporoaki I atahanga te waiatatanga; whakaaroha ana te tangata ki tenei rangi; kihai hoki i rangona te ngawetanga e kinongia nei e te taringa Pakeha. No te mutunga o te waiata, ka timataia te mahi i whakaritea mo Maihi, te kai korero, panuitia ana e ia nga korero o muri mai o te tau ra, a, ata oti ana te mahi i karangatia mona. I ataahua te turanga mai o
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taua tangata, marama tonu te whakahuatanga o nga kupu, a, mahara ana te ngakau ekore e penei te ahua marutuna mai o te tini o nga kai korero i roto i te runanga Pakeha.
I te panga o Rangikaheke ki tetahi wahi o te Pukapuka Poroporoaki, mutu pu; -- tangohia ana te kaitaka i uhia ki a ia, kawea atu ana ki nga waewae o te Kawana takoto ai, mei reira, ka maranga mai i tera pito o te whare tetahi rangatira me te topuni, hoatu ana ki runga ki te mea kua takoto ra kaupehi ai. Hore he kiki o te tangata i roto i te pahi, i tenei maimai aroha ki a te Kawana, whakapoururu tonu te mata o te tangata, a, rangona rawatia ake te kikitanga, he hokinga na Maihi ki te whakaoti i te korero o te pukapuka; te hiku rawa o enei mea, koia kei te tangi i te whakamutunga.
E haere nui ana te whakaaro i roto i nga kupu o tenei Pukapuka Poroporoaki; a, kia roa te whakamaharatanga, te mahinga, ka ata rite nga tikanga ki te reo Pakeha. Ko tenei, he nui pea nga painga o roto i mahue, no te mea e rere ke ana nga tikanga o te reo Maori i to te Pakeha.
I pera te rawe o te hokinga o te pahi me to ratou tomokanga ki te whare. Te putanga ki waho, ringaringa ana ratou ki a te Kawana, tungou marie ana, i puta takitahi te tangata i te pakarutanga mai. Mate nui ana te tangata ki nga kupu i whakapuakina, ki te aroha hoki o enei rangatira mano whenua.
TE PUKAPUKA POROPOROAKI.
Haere ra e Koro i te ra e whiti ana!
Haere ra e te whakamarumaru o Uenuku!
Kei ao ko te ra,
Ki a taratara atu e koe,
Taratara tu kei haua i te mahanga roa
Kia pai te hua i te rua,
Kei tae kei hoki ake,
To koiwi ora ki te ao, hu!
He poroporoaki tenei na matou ki a koe.
E Hoa e Kawana Kerei --
Ka tukua atu koe, e te whare korero o nga rangatira o tenei motu o Aotearoa, ara o Rotorua i runga i te aroha, E Ka-
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wana, kei mea koe, he aroha kirimoko te aroha mou, kao, no te whatu manawa tonu. Ka hua hoki ra i pai ai te ngakau, hei tau ake koe mo matou. Tena koia whakarongo mai. I te wa kaore ano nga Mihinare i tae mai, i iti te ahuwhenna, i iti te pai, he nui te mangere, he nui te kino, i kuare katoa; tahuna ana te Rama o te Atua, marama tonu me te awatea. Muri atu ko Kawana Hopihona, ka rongo iti ki te wehi, muri atu, ko Kawana Pitiroa, rite tahi. Tou putanga mai e Kawana Kerei, ano tou rongo, me he Ru e kume ana, tae ana te rongo ki waenga ki nga takutai o Aotearoa. I puta mai hoki koe, me nga Rama e rua i tou waha, koia tena nga rama te rua, ko to te Atua, ko to tenei ao; to te Atua, ko te whakaritenga i nga Kura, i nga whare karakia, whakatepetepe tonu o te Hahi mahinga i a koe. Ko to te tinana, ko te Whakawhiwhinga ki te ahu whenua ko te Whakaritenga i nga mea e whai rawa ai tenei whenua ko te whakamohiotanga ki te kai, ko te whakaaturanga i o te ao i a whakarerea. Oti ana enei mea e rua i a koe, na konei matou i mea ai kia koe ano, me he Minita pai o te Mahi. Koia matou i hua ai ki a koe hei ingoa--
Ko nga Rongomau,
Ko nga Honore,
Ko nga Hoatanga,
Ko te Aroha,
Ko te Atawhai,
Ko nga Tohutohu,
Ko Rahuitiaki,
Ko te Papa,
Ko nga Rongokahau,
Ko te Moiritanga.
Na ko nei matou i mea ai, ki a noho koe, ahakoa kua rangona tou haeretanga, ---e noho kia au tamariki. Tokorua korua ko te Pihopa ka haere anake, ka noho matua kore Aotearoa.
Tua
Tua!
I te orooro,
I te Oromea,
I tukitukia ai koe!
I taitaia ai koe!
Oi!
Kiri Tangaroa,
Tere te Nuku nei,
Tere Angaia,
Tutaria,
Ki tenei manuka!
Purua o taringa;
Kia turi,
Kia turi,
Kia hoi,
Kei whakarongo koe,
Ki te korero iti.
Ko te korero iti,
Ko tahuhunu
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Ko tahurere
Ko te hau aiti!
Tutakina i te iwi,
Tutakina i te toto,
Tutakina i te uaua,
Tutakina kia u.
Tutakina kia mau,
Tenei te tangi ka tutaki
Tenei te papa ka ruruku.
Ko te wai puna i piari nei, ka poke, na te ua o te rangi i ua ki te whenua, a ko wai ra hei tua kia paki ai? --
Tua!
Tua!
Rangi nui,
Rangi roa,
Rangi pouri,
Rangi potango,
Rangi whetu ma,
Ki kona koe tu mai ai!
Me to ihi,
Me to mana,
Me to maruaitu,
Ka whanatu au
Ka aukaha
I te rangi:--
Ka whanatu au
Ka purupuru
I te rangi; --
Tumata te rangi!
Ko koe kei riri!
Tumata te rangi:--
Whakaamohia te ao ki uta,
Whakangawaritia te ao ki tai,
Ho mai he uru!
Me he pukapuka tiki mai na Te Kuini ki a koe, haere atu nau ano; e noho, kaua e whakahawea ki a au tamariki.
E hine a-haku,
Tenei taua,
Te whakahua nei.
E kimi hoki ra,
Mahi iti te tangata,
I eke mai i te waka, o Waraki
Nana i ho mai,
Ko te toki uri,
Puaki ki te whare?
Tenei raia ko te kaitaka,
Kei roto i te kete.
Ki te rere moari
Te au o Repo
Ki a whakakirangi
I te ihurua;
Hei kipakipa mo aku mea,
Te rau ako taua
I te nui o Ti-Rangi.
Kati ano ra
Ko Ngarangikahui
Hei huna riri,
Hei atiati riri,
Taua whenua,
Ki te Hikuwai
Ko Tamaiharoa.
Paia i te one
Whakaaro iho ki te u;
Ko te ora; hu!
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E Hoa, kaua e tohe ki te haere; --nau mai e noho.
Ka hewa te ngakau,
I oma taurewa ai?
He tau e mau tonu?
E kore e tuia,
E te kupu o tawhiti,
Hei tokorau,
Kia wehi ai?
E tama e! Kaore he tohunga hei whai i te kawa o te whare[?] nei,
Uhi ki te pou!
Tawhi ki tahuhu!
Ki tuanui o te whare,
O Tangaroa!
Uhia to ruate mea!
Taia te rangi!
Tupu te rangi;
Hoaia he manawa,
Te uhi.
Ka uhi,
Ka rawe
Te tau mai Tu
Ki tana whaiwha.
Eke--Eke.
Eke Tangaroa;
Eke panuku
Hui, e!--Taiki, e!
E kore to waka e puta i te hau o te moana, na koa ra, tenei te awa.
Ngaru tarawa,
Ngaru putuputu,
Horahia mai!
Marino kato,
I tua i Hawaiki!
Wero atu taku tao nei.
Ko Huaki nuku.
Ko Huaki Rangi,
Ko Rua-i-wehea.
Takitaki tu te hau,
E riri mai nei,
E rotu mate!
E rotu aio!--he.
E Hou, e,
Ngatoro, e,
Kawau, e,
Toroa, e,
Kumea mai to hoe,
Me hotu ki te whetu.
Me hotu ki te marama
Ka turuturu o taringa,
Ki te hua mai te tao,
Ka titoa,
Porututia!
Hui! kawa! hei
Ka tohe ano koe ki te haere, e kore koe e aroha. No Poneke, ka purutia mai koe, a, e pupuru nei nga hapu o Aotearoa i a koe kia
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noho. Kei te weriweri koe ne? Karioi e; ---haere ra! Tupuhikura e to Karioi! Ki te tangi e hoki ai Karioi; --ka riro Karioi.
Me tuku koke,
Me kawe hoke,
Ki te tai o Matirau ra e!
Hoki koka,
E tae ra koe
Ki Waiariki, --
Hoki mai! hoki mai hoki.
HE TANGI NA MATOU KI a KOE.
Tera te pu kohu, e!
Tauhare ana mai,
Te tara ki te maunga,
Tirotiro kau au,
Kei whea ra e?
Ho mai e Tiki e, i.
Ho mai e Tiki,
Te horo o te paura,
Puhia mai ra!
Koto taina i, a, e, i.
Ko wai au e Tama
Ka kite wheriko atu,
Te mata rere puku?
Ki a tiro i roto ra, e, i;
Nau mai e te hoa,
Ka whakatuhaere
Nga papa wharekura; --
I roto Murupu, e, i.
E kore taku ipo e, hei
Ki te kahu Maori.
Me whakaputu koe ra, i.
Me whakapu ta koe,
Te kahu o Mereana
Te huia i Tararua e!
Te toroa i te moana,
Kia pai atu koe,
Te haere ki rata ra;
Kia powhiri mai,
Kei o matua,
Kia noho mai e!
I te roro o te whare,
Kia marama, e!
Te whakamau
Ki tawhiti!--
Ki a au e te hoa
Ki a waiho koe,
Hei kumekume mai.
Mo te ka-ho pu e, i,
Hei nui mo te rau, u, e.
Ko nga ingoa o nga rangatira i whakapuaki atu i nga manaaki a nga rangatira ki a koe koia enei. A, na ratou ano hoki enei ture e whitu i tuku atu ki a koe ki a mate nuitia. Ko nga tohu tenei o nga ingoa o nga rangatira i pupuru i a Te Kawana kia noho, ara, kia hoki mai i Ingarangi.
(Signed)
Eruera, Wiremu Kahawai,
Pini Te Korekore,
Ropata Paraone,
Iharaira,
Ko Nga-Moni,
Pikau,
Kiore,
Marino,
Wiremu Katene,
Hohaia,
Hori Haupapa,
Te Kakau,
Waretine,
Te Roke.
