Te Kopara 7
[1] Te Kopara, Number 7, Gisborne, April 1914.
‘Iti te Kopara, kai takirikiri ana i runga i te Kahikatea.’
Although the Bellbird is small, he plucks at the Kahikatea. [cf Nga Pepeha 908]
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF ORAKAU.
On 1st April a large hui was held at Orakau, twenty-five miles from Hamilton in the Waikato, to commemorate to fiftieth anniversary of the major battle fought between Pakeha and Maori at Orakau. The Government erected a memorial stone to the brave men who took part in this battle when the pa was attacked. On the day, the Minister for the Army unveiled the stone, surrounded by crowds of Maori and Pakeha. Among those present were the New Zealand General (General Godley) and his party, W H Herries MP, Doctor Pomare, Bishop Averill, five members of Parliament, two members of the Upper House, and the senior soldiers of the Dominion under Colonel Marrow. The speeches focussed on the strength and fortitude of the Maori in holding on to the pa and also the bravery of the Pakeha side in the fighting, and this was presented as an example for this generation and also for those to come.
Something that occasioned love and joy was the presentation by Hari Wahanui from the Maori side to Mr Allen on the Government side of a sword, some old muskets, and a battle flag bearing the words, ‘Taranaki Military Settlers, No. 6 Company’, that is, the military personnel living in Taranaki who formed Number Six Company. This flag was captured during the fighting. Mr Allen said that the return of these things truly cemented the peace between the two peoples.
The fighting at Orakau took place from 31st March until 2nd April, 1864. There is nothing like it in the books of today so deserving of remembrance. This was one of the last battles in Waikato. The Maori took fright at seeing that they were
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surrounded by 1600 troops equipped with new weapons. The Maori were few in number – one Maori to six Pakeha. The Maori weapons were old rifles and they had few bullets – many of their bullets were peach stones or hardwood, or iron pots had been smashed to make bullets. There was no water and they ate raw potatoes to assuage their hunger and thirst. They survived like this for two nights and three days but were still able to bring down some of the Pakeha.
When General Cameron arrived on the evening of the third day he was amazed at the strength of the Maori in holding on to the pa and he instructed Major Mair to ask the Maori to make peace and so save the lives of most of the brave people.
The Major Mair stood up and called out, ‘The General is impressed by your courage, but you are surrounded and cannot get out. Therefore he asks you to stop fighting and so save your lives.’
There was no noise for some few minutes while they were deliberating. Then one of the Maori stood outside the inner defences and called out, ‘Friend, this is our plan. We will fight on against you forever and ever!’
The Major replied, ‘That’s alright for the men, but send out the women and children. Why should they die?’
Then someone asked, ‘How do you know there are women and children there?’
The Major replied, ‘I heard them last night lamenting over their dead.’
A tall woman stood up and called out, ‘If the men are willing to die, the women and children will die with them.’
The troops cheered on hearing these responses and the fighting intensified.
On the evening of the third day the remaining men assembled and put the women and children in the middle. They bravely took a path at one corner of the pa which took them outside. There was as lake there and all the sides were ablaze. Their way was blocked by men on horses and some 200 fell. The remnant crossed to the other side of the Punui Stream and fled.
Afterwards General Cameron wrote a letter in which he said: ‘It is very difficult not to have admiration for the courage of the Maori in fighting for so long against an adversary with so many troops. They were surrounded on all sides, they had no water or outside help, and yet for three days they fought on, and when we entered the fortifications they abandoned their pa. One hundred and fifty fell of a total of three hundred.’
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REV MOHI TUREI.
On 2nd March, Mohi Turei, Minister, died at Rangitukia at the age of 85. He was a child, perhaps six years old when Mr Williams the Brother [William Williams] first came to Rangitukia in 1834. Mr Williams’ journey was to bring home Te Rukuata and the others who had been carried off to the Bay of Islands on board a whaling ship. It was also when Taumatakura, who had been taken prisoner by Ngapuhi, was returned to his people. It was then, too, that Ngati Porou heard some of the words of the Gospel. Afterwards Mr Williams (Senior) settled teachers at Waiapu. As a result Turei heard the story of salvation brought by Jesus Christ. When he grew up he was baptised by Mr Williams and confirmed by Bishop Selwyn. When Mr Williams was made Bishop of this place Mohi attended the College at Waerengaahika. In 1864 he was ordained Deacon and returned to Rangitukia as a colleague for Rev Raniera Kawhia in the villages of Ngati Porou. At that time Rev Rota Waitoa was the Minister of Tuwhakairiora.
In 1870 he was ordained Priest. Ngati Porou was split up with part going to Rev Ranieras Kawhia and part going to Rev Mohi Turei. When the insane teachings of the Hauhau made their appearance on the Tai Rawhiti, Mohi and his fellow clergy endeavoured to suppress them. In 1884 another strange teaching arrived, that of the Mormons, and Mohi made every effort to combat it and to warn his people not to listen to it, remembering his vow ‘with all faithful diligence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God’s Word.’ In 1904 an illness weakening his legs afflicted him whereby his visiting other places ceased and he lay at home. However his brain was still very active and he gave good counsel to those who came to see him. He held on to his faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour even though he continually suffered pain. Now he has come into the presence of his Saviour, to the place where there is no suffering or sorrow.
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Is Horouta the only Maori Council District voting to prevent Maori having access to alcohol? This is the appropriate time for other Councils to follow the example of Horouta and to try to find ways to do away with this curse which is striking down the people physically and spiritually.
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A SERMON – EASTER DAY
1 Corinthians 15.17, 20
‘If Christ is not risen your faith is in vain; you are still in your sins.’
‘The fact is Christ has risen from the dead; the first-fruit of those who have fallen asleep.’
The Apostle stresses strongly to us this teaching – that the Christian Faith is founded on the resurrection of our Saviour. So if there is no resurrection our faith means nothing, it is insubstantial, and we remain encumbered by our sins. This thought is a picture of what things are like for us if Christ did not rise from the dead.
The fact is that our Lord has indeed risen from the dead and is the first-fruit of those who have fallen asleep. The observance of Easter Day this year and in coming years serves to boost the spirits of Christians. This day is like a loud voice waking a person from sleep; it is something that shakes us and makes a take a stand and affects our spiritual work. This is the day when our mortal enemy, death, was defeated. ‘Death, where is your sting; grave, where is your victory?’ This is also the day on which is truly revealed to us the love of God. Had Christ not risen then this word would not be fulfilled: ‘So God loved the world that he gave his only Son, etc.’
1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ shows us that he is the Son of God. Paul says in Romans 1.4 ‘He was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead.’ His life, his teaching, his miracles, and his death are of no significance if he was not raised, but by his resurrection from the dead all these things are verified, as are other things he said about himself.
2. The resurrection of Jesus Christ tells us a great life which lies before us. And no-one could assure us of a life lying before us had Christ not risen, because he would not have fought with death, and we would remain encumbered by sin, and we would not have eternal life since no-one would have carried away our sins to make easy the way to the place of eternal life. But it is the case that the bearer of our sins, the Christ, has risen. He has opened up the place where there is eternal life. ‘You have overcome the sharpness of death and have opened the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.’ [Te Deum Laudamus}
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3. The resurrection of Jesus Christ, make us aware of teachings we must reflect on. We must ask ourselves if there are things within us prepared for this resurrection. Have I crucified sin and has my spirit risen to the place of truth? The basic thing Paul wished to teach the people of Rome about the Resurrection is summarized in these words, ‘Likewise, consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.’ We do not have a full understanding of the teaching about this day if we are not each of us concerned about the resurrection of our souls to eternal life.
4. The final thing the resurrection of our Lord shows us concerns the raising of our bodies. He is ‘the first-fruit of those who have fallen asleep.’ Therefore for those who have fallen asleep, whether good or bad, there will be a day when all will be raised. The resurrection of the body is one of the great teachings of our faith. Other faiths have a little understanding of this thing, resurrection, but not of a resurrection the body. The Jews did not truly appreciate this thing, the resurrection of the body, though there are prophecies, albeit only a few verses, in the Old Testament. But with the coming of Christ people truly understood this matter. Before there was darkness; now, with the coming of Christ, there is light. He is the Light of the World.
KING TE RATA
One day in April a hui was held at Waahi, Waikato, occasioned by a disagreement between King Te Rata and his Adviser, Tupu [Tupu Taingakawa Te Waharoa], over abandoning their project to go to England with concerns that were oppressing the Maori People, a project which has not been realized.
Tupu said that there was no point in further discussion; he had made up his mind to go and nothing would make him stay.
The outcome was that the hui ended and the people departed. Many went to Orakau and some returned home.
Those who support this journey have called a meeting for the 9th of this month to set up a hui to give consideration to the king and his prime minister making the journey. After the hui they would go to Auckland to embark on a ship.
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CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.
To the Editor of Te Kopara.
This letter contains some thoughts to put under the wings of our Kopara.
I send my heartfelt congratulations to the gathering of Pakeha women who came yesterday to Manutuke. Although I did not hear the discussions what I heard about this large gathering was that it was intent on prohibiting this terrible enemy, liquor, which does away with goodness and love and peace in the persons of those who are addicted to this drink. My friends, let us consider and look back to the days that have passed, and recognize that no good has come to us. Do not abandon our grandchildren, our children, our women, but turn to the example of our Pakeha friends who, although they gave us this drink, are turning now to prohibit liquor because they have seen that it is evil and is destroying them and us. It is not that we have not seen what this ‘food’ is like. Perhaps we may say something like, ‘How can we achieve this?’ There are many ways it can be done. And you know that you are to care for your wife, your children, and your family, and to pray to the Father to show his love to us. I finish here.
Hapi Kiniha,
Manutuke,
11th March, 1914.
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To the Editor of Te Kopara.
My friend, greetings. My lad, the idea came to me, and so I have sent these few words for our bird to carry to the places to which he flies in Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu, and to other islands as he crosses the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea [Te moana tapokopoko a Tawhaki], proclaiming above the rippling waters. I send my congratulations to you, sir, in the year of our saving Lord now that we have come to the beginning of the one hundredth year since the arrival in our country of our faith. When I heard of this my heart rejoiced at seeing this year in which I also turn one hundred. So, my friend, this is what I wanted to tell you – I am happy at this great thing I have discovered.
From Wharetomokia,
Bay of Islands.
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A MENTALLY DISTURBED MAN IN THE CHURCH.
One Sunday when the minister of Otaika near Whangarei went to church he saw a stranger in the building. Now, that strange man said to him that he was the boss of the church and that it was right to make the service more entertaining in order to draw most people to the service. To this end he had discovered something to improve the services. It was a speaking machine which he had installed in the minister’s vestry. The horn of the machine he had placed in the church screwed to the wall of the building. He had also attached to the sides of the church some pictures from the newspapers.
Then this rascal explained to the minister what the service would be like if the congregation did not come to the service and that he believed that his talking-machine would encourage the congregation to attend the service. At this point the minister went to tell the police. The man was taken to the mental hospital in Auckland. Some of the residents of Otaika said that they had seen that the man had a gun and that he had said that he would shoot the minister if he was bad, and the people if they didn’t sit quietly in the service, and he would also shoot anyone who didn’t sing properly.
A GREAT WONDER.
We greatly admire the energy of the people of Ruatoki, part of Tuhoe, who have built a church for themselves. This is evidence of the strength of and their commitment to their faith. Although the Gospel of our Lord has been preached to them for only a short time, most of them have been converted. One cause of the change of heart of these people was the encouragement of Peni Hakiwai, Minister of Ruatoki. He devoted himself to teaching them and was liked by them. Besides these things, God was behind his servants empowering them with his Holy Spirit.
Their church will be opened on 19th of this month. This is an occasion which the parishes which have entered the faith can help with. Therefore remember this hui.
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TE RAU COLLEGE.
These are the students currently attending Te Rau. Some are still on their journeys and in the next edition of our bird, when all the students for this year will have arrived, he will publish all the names.
Wiremu Tureia Puha Ngati Porou
Tamati Te Kanapu Tuhoe
Henare Paraone Ngapuhi
Wiremu Taretana Ngapuhi
*Metera Aomarere Ngati Raukawa
Aarona Mekerika Ngati Raukawa
Mate Wharehuia Te Arawa
Hana Taua Te Arawa
*Nepia Hotene Te Arawa
*Ponui Tangotehura Ngaiterangi
*Henare Piahana Ngaiterangi
Waewae Ratapahi Te Patuai
Waata Kopae Ngatiawa
*Karauria Karena Ngati Kahungunu
*Married men.
OTHER ITEMS.
We were very distressed when one of the teachers at Te Rau, Wi Paraire, fell ill. His health is now improving. And so we praise the Creator who blessed him in his illness. We look forward to him making a rapid recovery.
The people at Te Rau school are very grateful for gifts of kumara and potatoes. This way of remembering the College started a long time ago amongst the people of this area. And are hearts are full of praise for it.
Miss Woodhead is in the Ngati Porou districts advocating the abolition of liquor. Although a Pakeha she is a very forceful woman who is familiar with Maori ways, speaks Maori, and is very knowledgeable. People, make her welcome.
Apirana Ngata and some of the leading people of Ngati Porou have gone to see King Rata. We understand that they have gone to speak of the pointlessness of his desire to go [to England].
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KING GEORGE AND HIS CLOTHES.
If King George wants a suit he doesn’t have the problems that other people have. Each person who makes clothes for the King has a model the same size as the King. When the clothes have been made there is no need to see if they fit because the model is identical in size.
If the King wants to wear a particular suit on some days each month but he does not wear it on one day then he may wear it the day after. The King has 30 suits that he wears mostly, together with suits for shooting and for riding.
The King has nearly 400 suits including the clothes that are suitable for him to wear when he visits other places. Some of these suits may be worn once a month and some once in twelve years.
All the clothes of the royal family which they wear are kept on models in glass-fronted cupboards in order. There are many rooms in the King’s palace full of these cupboards. One of the important servants has the task of seeing whether the models need enlarging and seeing that the clothes are enlarged so that they fit when they are required.
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A minister in Scotland was scolding one of his people for his drunkenness. The minister said to him, ‘John, my friend, don’t you know that whisky is a terrible enemy?’ ‘That’s true,’ said John, ‘but doesn’t the Bible say that we are to love our enemies?’ ‘That’s so,’ said the minister, ‘but it doesn’t say that we should swallow them.’
In 1877 one person in 479 in New Zealand suffered from mental illness. By 1912 this number had greatly increased with one person in 269 suffering from mental illness. The main cause of mental illness is drinking alcohol; were this to stop then there would not be so many mentally ill people.
More people were convicted of drunkenness in Gisborne last year than in all those places where alcohol is prohibited combined, that is, Invercargill, Ashburton, Gore, Balclutha, Waikouaiti, Palmerston South, Oamaru, Masterton, Eketahuna, Waihi and Paeroa.
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RULES OF THE PAPER.
1. Te Kopara is published monthly.
2. The subscription for the paper is five shillings (5/-) a year paid by postal note or stamps.
3. Anyone wishing to take Te Kopara should send the money with the covering letter.
4. Articles are welcome from all parts of the country, but the Editor reserves the right to decide on what to print. Write clearly.
5. Address all letters to:
Te Kopara,
Te Rau,
Gisborne.
A NOTICE
To those wanting a Prayer Book or Hymn Book. I now have plenty of books. The prices are:
Large, soft cover 2/6
Large, red cover 3/-
Large, hard cover 4/-
Large, superior cover 5/6
Small, soft cover 1/-
Small, red cover 1/6
Small, hard cover 2/6
Small, superior cover 3/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, soft cover 1/6
Prayer Book with Hymns, red cover 1/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, hard cover 3/-
Prayer Book with Hymns, superior cover 4/-
Hymns -/6
Words for the Prayerful Heart 3d
I will pay the postage to send the books to you
H W Williams,
Te Rau, Gisborne
People wanting a Bible or a New Testament should apply to the Bible Depository Sunday School Union, Auckland.
Bible, 2/6, 3/6, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 1/-.
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