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Renata's Speech and Letter to the Superintendent of Hawke's Bay on the Taranaki War Question; in the original Maori, with an English translation.

Notes

page 14S

Notes.

  • (a) The meaning of this is that the introduction of Christianity has united the Natives into one people, and dispelled the tribal jealousies—that as the member of this body (the Maori nation) at Taranaki is feeling pain, the member (tribe) at Hawke's Bay feels it also; and the various tribes being now united, even as the Church is united, it becomes the duty of all members to assist one in distress.
  • (b) This is a difficult sentence to render intelligibly into English. The speaker means that this ground of complaint has lasted so long, and caused so much aggravation, that the next case that occurs, however small its origin, will create an explosion at Hawke's Bay similar to that at Taranaki.
  • (c) This alludes to a patu paraoa sent over from Ngatiraukawa, to be accepted by Ngatikahungunu as a token of their assent to fall simultaneously upon Wellington and Napier; but the latter tribe refused to concur, and the project fell to the ground. The patu held by the speaker in his hand while speaking was the one sent over, which was to be returned by the messenger (then present) who had brought it.
  • (d) It is not easy to convey an intelligible interpretation of this passage.
  • (e) Parininihi is a lofty and inaccessible white cliff on the coast between Mokau and Waitara. The meaning of the passage is that an edict has issued from the King calling all the European towns and settlements "Parininihi," in token that they are to be as safe from attack by the Natives in consequence of his order, as Parininihi is from being scaled by a man, from natural causes, unless offence should be given by the Government, at one of these places, when the King's protection is to be withdrawn.
  • (f) Ihaia Te Kirikumara, of Waitara, the man who planned and arranged Katatore's murder, which was executed by Ihaia's brother, Tamati Tiraurau.
  • (g) Rangi, in Maori, signifies the sky, and this word generally forms a part of the name of a Maori Chief, as Te Rangitake, Te Rangihaeata, Te Pakaru o te Rangi, Te Rangihirawea, &c., &c. It is given in compliment to a Chief, and a common man is not allowed to use this name: "E Rangi" is a term of address to a young chief, frequently used instead of "E hoa, E hika," &c.