1855 - Davis, C. O. Maori Mementos...[and a] Collection of Laments... - FROM THE CELEBRATED WAIKATO CHIEF, TE WHEROWHERO POTATAU.

       
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  1855 - Davis, C. O. Maori Mementos...[and a] Collection of Laments... - FROM THE CELEBRATED WAIKATO CHIEF, TE WHEROWHERO POTATAU.
 
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A LETTER TO GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY, FROM THE CELEBRATED WAIKATO CHIEF, TE WHEROWHERO POTATAU.

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A LETTER TO GOVERNOR SIR GEORGE GREY, FROM THE CELEBRATED WAIKATO CHIEF, TE WHEROWHERO POTATAU.

Mangare, July 25th, 1854.

O FRIEND GOVERNOR GREY,--

Salutations to yourself and Lady Grey. Friend, I have heard that you have safely arrived in your own land. Friend, it is through the regard of God, that you and Lady Grey have reached in safety your homes. Friend, I salute you. Friend, I very nearly got into difficulty 1 during your absence. He who brought this trouble upon me was Te Tawa. 2 But I thought of your word which you uttered, when you left, namely, --"after I leave, do you protect the Europeans."

It is your word that has kept me thus long, but for that I should have been wicked towards the Ngatiwhatua.

Friend, salutations to you.

The pang that rends my heart it deep; ah, how
Unlike the spear, before it thrusts, it quivers
In the air. While I linger here, I watch
The clouds that rise above Te Aute,
The range of hills which shield from view, the numerous
Friends, I call my own. 3 O the beloved one
He thro' whom the people grew. Lo! he has gone
And left me here in wild confusion. So, I have,

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Scaled the heights of Puketotara, and think Of the uplifted spear of Taratu. 4 O take me hence;-- Conduct to the cone of Taupiri, 5 And let me see again famed Rangitamiro. 6

Friend, salutations to you and Lady Grey.

Enough,

from your affectionate friend in New Zealand,
(Signed) TE WHEROWHERO POTATAU. 7
To Sir George and Lady Grey, England.

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HE PUKAPUKA KI A KAWANA KEREI, NA TE RANGATIRA RONGO NUI O WAIKATO, NA TE WHEROWHERO POTATAU.

Mangere, Hurai 25, 1854.

E HOA E KAWANA KEREI,--

Tena ra koe, korua ko Reri Kerei. Ehoa, kua rongo ahau kua tae koe ki tou whenua. Ehoa, na te Atua ano te whakaaro i tae ora atu ai koe ki tou kainga, korua ko Reri. E hoa, tena koe. E hoa, wahi iti, kua he ahau, i muri nei. Na Te Tawa te he ki au. Ka mahara ano ahau ki tou kupu i ki iho ai, "I muri nei ko ahau, hei tiaki i nga Pakeha."

Na to kupu ahau i roa ai, te kino ai ahau ki a Ngatiwhatua. E hoa tena koe.

Kahore te mamae,
Ngau kino rawa hoki.
He epanga rakau,
E ata kitea iho.
Hei konei tonu ai,
Whakamau atu ai,
Te ao ka rere mai,
Na runga o Te Aute.
Koe pae tauarai,
Ki te tini o te hoa i au.
E te tau ra e,
Nahana nei au
I whakangaerenui.
Waiho nei te raru,
Ki ahau huri ai.
No runga hoki au,
Puketotara e,
Maharatia hoki koe
Tau te iri, te
Hapainga tao i a Taratu.
Hei kawe i ahau,
Te tihi ki Taupiri;
Ki a Rangitamiro, na, e.

E hoa, tena koe, korua ko Reri. Heoi ano. Niu Tireni. Na tou hoa aroha

Na te Wherowhero POTATAU.
Wi a Kerei raua ko Reri, kei Ingarangi.

1   The difficulty he alludes to was the sale of land where some of his relatives were buried. The land in question was given to his brother by a tribe named Ngatiwhatua, who subsequently sold it without even consulting the Waikato people. This of course, was a great insult; indeed, according to native usage, it was an open declaration of war. This challenge would have been immediately responded to, but for the assurances given by Te Wherowhero to Sir George Grey. The Government instituted an enquiry into the matter, and the Chief Commissioner Mr. M'Lean, recommended that the land should be given back to Wherowhero. This recommendation was approved of by his Excellency Colonel Wynyard, and kindly relations were established.
2   Te Tawa. --Chief of the Ngatiwhatua tribe.
3   Reference to his people who were at Waikato far distant from him.
4   A Chief of renown.
5   Taupiri--a mountain at Waikato.
6   Rangitamiro--a warrior chieftain, i. e., Sir George Grey.
7   Te Wherowhero is the principal chief of Waikato, and has great influence among the tribes. At his mandate a few years ago, four thousand warriors rushed to his standard in defence of their chief, and many hundreds more could speedily have been raised. At this juncture it is said that he sways the following tribes, the numbers attached are merely the fighting men of the tribes:-- Ngatimaniapoto, 800; Ngatihaua, 540; Ngatitahinga and Ngatimahanga, 400; Ngatiapakura, 400; Ngatiruru, 200; Ngatihinetu, 200; Ngatipou, 400; Ngatitipa, Ngatinaho, Ngatiwhauroa and Ngatitamaunu, 400; Ngatimaaru, 200; Ngatiteata, Ngatitamaoho, 340; Ngatiumutoto, 200; and Ngatimahuta and Te Ngaungau, 400. There are other smaller tribes not here enumerated.

Te Wherowhero is a fine specimen of the old and dignified New Zealand chiefs. He is very learned in the mythology and rude literature of bis country. He was a brave warrior in his early days, at the capture of a certain pa, it is said that he killed six hundred persons with his own hand. If the translator mistakes not, this was corroborated by Te Wherowhero himself, in a conversation which took place in the presence of Major Nugent, the Native Secretary.

Tawhiao was the first name of this distinguished personage; Potatau was the name of one of his daughters which he took on the occasion of her death; Te Wherowhero, which means a reddish colour, was given him in consequence of his father being wrapped after his decease, in a scarlet garment, given to a New Zealand chief, by one of the first English navigators who visited the Thames,

Te Wherowhero Potatau Tawhiao, is on the most friendly terms with the Government, and at present is residing on a valuable estate in the neighbourhood of Auckland, which he holds by a crown grant from Sir George Grey.
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