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He pukapuka ako tenei i nga ritenga pai e-maha o roto o te taonga nei o te moni, i nga tikanga pai hoki, o te hokohoko, o te aha, o te aha

Preface

[i roto i te reo Māori]

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Preface.

Any efforts, however feeble, for the enlightenment of our fellow men, have, in all ages, and under whatever circumstances, met with the sympathies and support of a generous Public. If this be the case at Home, and among a civilized people, with what interest may not an endeavour of a similar kind be regarded, when Races whose interests have in a great measure become identified with our own, but without many of the privileges we enjoy, are the objects of its solicitude.

In addition to what has already been done for the New Zealanders as the result of a friendly intercourse with the Government and with the Europeans, and for the pains bestowed by Missionary zeal in having taught so many of them to read and write in their own language; the Government, desirous of their further advancement, contemplate a series of Publications from approved Authors, and for the first, have allowed the following Elementary work to be translated and published for general information:

If thus, by making the Press available for the benefit of the Native population of these Islands, through which they may acquire knowledge in its various useful branches, they should as a people be preserved, it will form a really pleasing exception in the Histories of Aborigines, and one which will be no less honorable to the British name, than it must be gratifying to every friend of the Human Family.

Translated by Command of His Excellency,
Sir George Grey, K.C.B.,
Governor-in-Chief,
&C., &c., &C.

H. Tacy Kemp,
Native Secretary.

Native Secretary's Office, Wellington,
1st October, 1851.
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