EVIDENCE RELATIVE TO THE ORIGIN

No. 2. ROpoama's letters. Waikawa, Aperira 10, 1859. E hoa, c Makarini, — Tena koe. Tenei taku kupu, kia rongo mai koe ; he kupu milii naku. E koro ma, c kui ma, c ! whakarongo ake ra! E tama, tna c, whakarongo ake ra ! naku i aha ? E hine ma c, whakarongo ake ra ! naku i aha? Ko nga iwi o o tatou tupuna, ko Waitara, ka pau i a maua ko toku hoa aroha ko Makarini. Heoi ano era kupu. He kupu ano enei. E tama ma c! whakarongo mai ra ! E hine ma c ! whakarongo mai ra! E aku tuakana c! whakarongo mai ra ! Naku hoki i aha ? Ko nga iwi o o tatou tupuna, ko Waitara, ka pau i a maua ko toku hoa aroha ko Makarini. E Ma, ko te utu tenei i tono mama k'oe ki aau kia whakaaturia atu c au ki a koe; c waru miriona: kite pai mai koe ki enei utu me homai c koe ki konei: c kore au c pai ki Poneke: kahore au i te pai ki a Herangi; engari ano, kaua c purutia atu to matou inoni; me homai c koe aianei, i to tatangamai ki a matou ; kaua koe c haere ki Poneke. Haere mai; whakaotia ta taua korero. Naku, na to hoa aroha. Na Ropoama, Ihaka, Te Ketu, Witikau, Wi Te Honi, Te Matina, Ropata Ngapaki, Hamiora Hotu, Rihari, Te Hereiwni, Naru, Oropere, Haimona, Rupuha, Te Hita, Hamiora, Hamuera, Hare Puwera, More, Karanama, Hoani, Tamati, Hohepa Nga, Te Hara, Wi Te Puke, Meha, Te Rei, Wikeiri, Wikotiroa, Utiku, Te Kepa, Te Hapimana, Neta, Inia, Pirihira. Wi Toea, Rakera, Takana, Ripeka, Hone Kewetone, Tiripa, Hakaraia, Ema, Hona, Tarete, Te Retimana, Ngawaka Pirihira, Eruera Tuiti, Heni, Te Nihana, Heni Kereopa, Henare Te Moana, Neta, Kereopa, Oriana, Wiwi, Ora, Taiii, Meri Paina, Ropoama, Miriama, Timoti, Pirihira, Kβ ta matou kupu tenei oto matou runanga;—Homai to matou moni. Na te runanga tenei mihi ki a koe. .Heoi ano ; ka mutu. Na to hoa aroha, Na Ropoama. [translation.] Waikawa, 10th April, 1859. Fhiend McLean, Salutations to you. This is my word. Hearken, a word of affection from me ! O friends, •"oale and female, hearken! O sons! hearken ! what have I done ? O daughters! hearken ! what have I done ? The bones of our ancestors, that is, Waitara, are consumed by my loving friend McLean and me. Enough of those words. Here are also some words. 0 sons ! hearken! O daughters ! hearken ! Omy elder brothers ! hearken ! what have I done ? The bones of our ancestors, Waitara, are (or will be) consumed by my loving friend McLean and me. McLean, You requested me to name to you the price which I want :it is eight millions. If you approve of this price (or payment) do you give it here. Ido not approve of (its beins; given at) Wellington; nor do I approve of Mr. Searancke ; I approve of you only. Do not withhold our money. Dα you give it now, while you are near us. Do not you go to Wellington. Come here and finish your and my talk. From your loving friend, Ropoama Ihaka Wi Te Honi Witikau Ropata Ngapaki Te Ketu

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