THE WAIKATO COMMITTEE.
F—No. 3
[Note in original.]— This man is insane. The king of Russia is not called a king, but an Emperor. Word has reached us, that you have been condemned (found to be wrong) because you usurped the kingdom of England. The men who approved of the Governor's measures. Heta Tarawhiti : He spoke of the character of the King of Russia, Peter the Great. He said that king was ignorant, but he clave to the learning of England, and he acquired all that learning. So let us cleave to the Governor, that is to England. Now if we had been to school that we might have learned all the good things of the Europeans, then we might say to the Europeans, "Friends, stay away, we have learned the many good things of the European." But as it is, why should we be separated from the good arrangements of the Governor, which have been taught us. Kereihi Tarapuhi Te Ngaungau : Religion, love, and benevolence shall not be forsaken by me. Wiremu Nera Awaitaia Ngatimahanga : His word to Te Heuheu was, Have you not heard, "The descendants of Muriwhenua the man eater?" This was because Te Heuheu had said that he retained Waikato. This also, "Whence comes your authority? Did you derive your authority from that man ?" Therefore Wiremu used that saying to stop Te Heuheu's mouth.—Song: "The wind is westerly that preys on my flesh," and so on. His speech was, "I am a servant of the Governor." Hemi Te Puke, Ngatimahanga : He entered into the Queen (that is to her measures) and would not forsake them. Waata Kukutai : He opposed the election of a king. When it ended there was a council of those who held on to the consent of the Governor at Paetai. Many tribes and persons attended the meeting.
Appendix B. Native Report of Meeting at Paetai.
B-No. 8. SPEECH OF MR. FENTON TO THE NATIVES AT THE PAETAI MEETING, 12TH MAY, 1857, (DELIVERED IN THE EVENING.) [Translation.] My friends, I have a word to say. Do not be weary if my speech is not perfectly clear to you for I am not a perfect master of the Maori language. My speech goes entirely upon the agreement made by the Governor with Potatau. We, the people of Waikato (proper) heard the talk of these elders, and in our opinion it was very good. It was consented to in the presence of the assembly of people —to be in perfect force. O Assembly, this is the way for us (the people of Waikato) to go in, because we see that prosperity and order, and the advancement of the people will be attained by that way. We will not follow any other way. The way we are going on is good and clear. We know where it will take us to. As to other roads, they are obscure, and entangled, and we cannot tell where they lead to —perhaps to a steep precipice. What is the use of multiplying words. Join together, my friends, and let us be one : then only shall we be truly strong. At present, if one pulls in one direction and another in another direction, the rope will be broken. As to me, lam firmly fixed to the arrangements of the Governor and Potatau. lam not willing to wander about in the dark, but I prefer a straight road in the light. One word to you two, Tamihana and Hoana Papita. My friends, you are rowing in a small canoe (kopapa) in the midst of waves. Ours is a large canoe, the wind is fair, the water smooth, the rowers are numerous, and the steerer understands his work. Get into our canoe. Here is a seat for you at the stem, and paddles for you. Get into our canoe, take hold of a paddle, and in a short time we shall reach the land. If you remain aboard your small canoe, you will be capsized, you will not arrive at the landing place. Now remember thi3 : if a man has to climb a mountain, he cannot jump to the top, but he must quietly take step by step until he arrives at the summit. Do not suppose that we can jump at once to the top of the hill, but gently climb it. O Assembly, I who am now speaking, have a regard for you. All Waikato knows me. They know that what I really desire is that you may increase—that the country may be full of you, that your land may be coveied with grass and with sheep. What does the talk of Te Heulleu matter to us. Leave that out. lam not going to beat down his talk, for I don't know how to fight the air. As to us (Waikato and Waipa) let us be resolute ; let us be courageous in our work. All the Pakehas befriend us. The Ministers approve of your proceedings—so do the Monitors. We know the road : it is open, and by continuing on it we shall soon arrive at prosperity. Christianity will be firmly established, sccial comfort will be obtained,and all the people will be increased and acquire dignity.
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