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The Life and Times of Patuone

Preface

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Preface.

The following pages, containing a simple narrative of the "Life and Times" of a celebrated Maori Chief, are placed before the scrutinizing eye of the public, with feelings of extreme diffidence; and though I have no faith in mere apologies, as they are often brought forward to shield, if possible, the carelessness or inability of the writer, still, on the plea of my prolonged ill health while this little work was being passed through the press, I may, in true singleness of heart, ask the indulgence of my readers.

I am perfectly conscious that many inaccuracies will meet the keen research of the critic, and I can truthfully aver that very many points worthy of record in the late Patuone's character and history have been omitted, together with various phases incidental to Maori life, which might have been chronicled had the task been entrusted to an page breakabler pen; nevertheless, this unpretentious memento of a great and good man will not, perhaps, be uninteresting to such as desire to know anything of the Maori race.

C. O. Davis.

Auckland, October, 1876.