FAREWELL ADDRESS TO SIR GEORGE GREY, FROM THE CHIEF JOHN BAPTIST KAHAWAI, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
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FAREWELL ADDRESS TO SIR GEORGE GREY,
FROM THE
CHIEF JOHN BAPTIST KAHAWAI, AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH.
Rangiaohia, November, 28th, 1853.
O my letter go thou hence to Governor Grey! Friend the Governor, --
Salutations to you. Our affection for you is great. When we heard that you were about to forsake us, our hearts were much pained on account of your [projected voyage.] What will induce you to remain? Or, what means shall we use to hold you back? Perhaps we can show our affection for you only by tears.
Go hence, --Go O Friend! Your personal presence will be lost to us, but your name and your endearing love will remain with us. We will not forget the marked kindness and regard you have manifested towards us, the people of Rangiaohia. Nor will wo forget the treasures which the Queen and yourself have given us, namely, ships, carts, horses, and Ploughs by which we have been assimilated to the good usages 1 of the Europeans. You have made both our lands, and property important. Our love to you, and our remembrance of you will not cease; no, never.
Go hence, O Friend, --Go to the Queen, and carry with you our love to Her Majesty, in return for the gifts we have in our possession, namely, the likenesses of herself, [Prince Albert, and the Royal family.] If the Queen should send another Governor, let his love for the Natives be like yours, and we will repay him with our love.
The expression of our sentiments of regard to you are here concluded by me.
(Signed) JOHN BAPTIST KAHAWAI,
And all the other Roman Catholics.
To Governor Grey.
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HE PUKAPUKA POROPOROAKI
NA HOANI PAPITA KAHAWAI ME ARA ATU TANGATA O TE HAHI KATORIKA O RANGIAOHIA, WAIKATO, KI A KAWANA KEREI.
Rangiaohia, Noema 28, 1853.
Haere ra e taku pukapuka ki a Kawana Kerei.
E hoa e Kawana, --Tena ra koe. Ka nui to matou aroha ki a koe. I te rongonga o to whakarerenga i a matou, ka mamae nui o matou ngakau. Ma te aha ra koe e pupuri? Ko to matou aroha kei o matou roimata pea.
Haere, Haere e hoa! Kia ngaro tou tinana i a matou, ko to ingoa, me to aroha pai ki a matou. Ekore hoki matou e wareware ki tou aroha me tou atawhai whakaharahara, ki a matou, i Rangiaohia. Ekore hoki matou e wareware ki nga taonga i homai nei e korua ko te Kuini, ko te kaipuke, ko nga kata, ko nga hoiho, ko nga Parau, me nga tikanga papai katoa o te Pakeha, Nau i whakanuia ai to matau whenua, me o matou taonga. Ekore ano hoki e mutu to matou aroha, me to matou whakaaro ki a koe, ake, ake.
Haere e Hoa! Haere ki a Kuini. Kawea atu ta matou aroha ki a ia, hei utu mo tana homaitanga e noho nei, ko tana whakaahutanga. Ki te homai e Kuini tetahi Kawana ke, kia rite tona aroha ki nga Maori me tau, a ko te utu, ko te aroha hoki ki a ia.
Heoi ano ta matou korero aroha ki a koe.
(Signed) Na HOANI PAPITA KAHAWAI,
Na matou katoa ko nga Katorika.
Ki a Kawana Kerei.
