Te Kopara 45
[3] Te Kopara, Number 45, Gisborne, 31 July, 1917.
‘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 PARISH HUI HELD AT OMAAHU.
On Sunday, 1st of this month, the people of Hawkes Bay gathered at Omaahu. The first object was worship, the second to put in place ways of strengthening the work of the Church. The ministers who attended were Peneti and Mate, along with the Elder, Tiatatana.
The lay-representatives were Aporo Te Huiki, Porokoru Mapu, Wirihana Tipene, Ihimaera, Te Wao Hapi, Nikera, Katene, Pohio, Taranaki, Ihakara, Tuiri Tareha, Rotia, Tutewake, Keepa Winiata, Pohe Hemi, Te Ripohau, Mohi Te Atahikoia, Hori Paraitarewa, Tuahine Renata, and the elders. Hira Parata of Waikanae, Hikaka of Taranaki, and Tare Rairana of Tokomaru were present as guests. The hui dealt with many matters; the following are some of them.
1. The licensed lay-readers in each village.
2. The church committees.
3. A permanent committee to deal with all matters relating to the people.
4. The committee to manage Te Kopara for this year.
5. Obtaining a car for the minister of the district, Peneti, so that it makes it easy for him to travel around his district. Tuahine Renata’s gift of one hundred pounds towards that car was greatly appreciated. Taranaki offered security for three months for the remainder. The cost of the car is two hundred and fifty pounds.
6. One cause supported by the hui was the closing of hotels at six o’clock. The hui was very grateful to Tiatatana for explaining the matter and saying that it was being widely supported, and arrangements are under way for the signing of the petitions now.
7. The roster [?te taima tepara] was arranged by the ministers of the district.
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8. The erection of clergy houses, one at Moteo for Mate and one at Waipaoa for Waewae, was also dealt with. The committee selected to oversee these works is Ihaia Hutana, Aporo Te Huiki, and Taranaki. The house for Peneti at Waipatu was left because the funds for the house had not yet been fully gathered together.
9. One matter caused the hui some sadness and that was the nomination of licensed lay-readers. Tuiri Tareha stood and said that he longed to undertake that important work but he had given it a try. He had thought that his elders would support him but they did not consider him. Hence he was keen to agree to undertake it now. There was much sympathy for this young man, but he was asked to look to the tribe and to make a strong stand as a guide to the tribe in this matter which affects all, and to ask for the prayers of those gathered that he (Tuiri Tareha) might be given strength to stand bravely as a guide, not for the tribe only, but also for his elders.
This course was adopted by Tuira Tareha and the tribe was delighted and happy that he was taking up this valued thing for everyone. The hui closed with prayer. It was extended by another day because all the agenda matters had not been dealt with.
10. When the hui met in the YMCA room in Hastings, a matter was introduced which affects all Maori, the setting up of a Shearers’ Union for Maori. This matter is being dealt with now and a large hui will be held for the shearers to discuss it.
11. The hui requested that the people be asked to strongly support Te Kopara because this is one of the few vehicles by which people can exchange their many valuable but unrevealed ideas. So, people, the word is, Set about it!
12. Rotia presented the sum of £46-11-0, the remainder of the collection made in the Omaahu district for the fund for the Maori soldiers. This has now been placed in the bank of the trustees of the Hastings fund.
13. It was asked whether the Hastings Concert Party was to go about performing, and should the tribe take responsibility for it of not? The reason for this question was that the young people wished to go back to work but were waiting for instructions. But because the reports of the visit to Gisborne had not been gathered together yet, discussion of this subject was deferred until the hui on 18th July.
People, it is a cause of great joy to your bird to look down upon the people at Ranginui in this new century wrestling with these important matters. I am a bird who cries out in various voices, therefore send me the cries of the remnant of the people and the remnant of the land for the good fruits the heart hopes for as evidence of the honour of the Christian world.
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THE HASTINGS MAORI GROUP HELPING THE WAR EFFORT.
Fly, Te Kopara, you brave bird, fly over the remaining lofty tree-tops of the Great Forest of Tane, and include the following words in your many songs, in your sweet songs in this [?season of famine ?season of plenty], to be heard by the many chiefs on the myriad marae of Aotearoa and Te Waipounamu.
During the first months of this year some of the people had the idea of collecting money to help the Maori soldiers. Ngatiporou planted this thought at the hui at Wai-o-matatini, the idea grew and spread at the hui held in Hawkes Bay, and large leaves emerged at the hui at Te Wairoa. At this hui a worthwhile way of helping to raise money was realised – the performance of poi dances and other entertainments by a group from Hastings. So Ngatiporou invited them to visit their area during May. When the people of Turanga heard of this they invited them to turn aside to their door first. When the day came in May for them to set out there was a terrible storm and it was not a good time to travel. News came that the roads in Waiapu were damaged. So they could not go and the plans of the small flock were dashed. But it was decided that the journey to Turanga could be undertaken now and it was arranged that they would go on 11th June. When that day came there was another terrible storm. Hastings was covered with water and this demon would not go away. The storm kept them in Napier for a week. On 17th they were able to travel, the sea being calm. There was happiness on the faces of the young people as they boarded the ferry. When the Pakeha passengers on the boat heard of the purpose of the journey they requested a performance on board and they gave three pounds seventeen shillings to this fund along with their good wishes for the project. The travelling party numbered 55; 29 women and 26 men made up the large party. This was the excellent programme they offered. It began on the marae – with Maoritanga and the wisdom of the Pakeha – and extended to the theatre of war. That is, this was its pattern: it began with the culture of the ancestors and moved on to the learning of this new time, and with the arrival of news of the war people’s thoughts were carried off and engaged in military activities, and so to the war. Among the many fruits of the fighting was attentiveness to the cries of the small nations. Come! Help me. I am loyal to the Empire. Together with these were poi dances which referred to the soldiers, the warships, the aircraft, and the gatherings of groups. There were welcoming poi and storytelling poi. There were songs about the soldiers’ camps, about their homes, about the times of fighting,
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and laments for those who fell on the battlefield. It ended with songs of encouragement. Don’t be afraid but be strong always. Advance! Farewell!
On the morning of Sunday 17th they landed at Gisborne and were taken by the local people to Manutuke. Himiona Tepa arrived and invited us to go to Parihimanihi. Ngata was there with his parents and the tribe. He had brought his daughter Te Rina to be married to Te Kani Te Ua. Much grief was expressed over those who had died of natural causes and those who had fallen on the battlefield. By the Monday this request had been satisfied and the group went to Manutuke. That night they were welcomed by the local people.
On the Monday morning we went to the wedding. Although it was very muddy because of the rain, it was obvious that the people were very keen to honour the newlyweds. Our party received a great welcome on the marae. The first to welcome us was the women’s group and as we entered the marae there was the haka party of the local people who were also very good and put much energy into the haka. After that the Ngatiporou party stood in front of the Meeting House. In front in the front row were the women. At a word the men came forward and the women moved back. The haka were passionate. Our hearts went out to the treasures of many marae, those who had departed to the afterlife. The leaders of the haka and the women and men who participated deserve great praise. After this came the wedding. Archdeacon Herbert Williams married them, and he was assisted by Mr Chatterton, Ahipene Rangi, Te Kanapu, Matene Keepa, and the young people of Te Rau College. The children of Waerenga-a-hika led the hymns helped by the Italian singing group.
The wedding group was very fine. Te Rina’s bridesmaids were Rangi Rongomai and Heni Kerekere. They looked very good in their kiwi cloaks and wearing their many ancestral treasures. They were beautiful things, carved things, which stirred up thoughts for each of those who were pleased to be present. The cake was very large. There were actually seven cakes, all beautiful to look at. There were many gifts, notably the Pakeha gifts. This made one aware of how many Pakeha friends these young people have. As to the wedding breakfast, there were great compliments to those who set it out. Both the stomach and the spirit were satisfied by these great things done in accordance with the practices of the new world. One heard people saying as they left the marae – Must it finish! Newly-weds, we are with you! People, thank you for the great consideration shown to our friends – your children, your grandchildren, who have been joined together in peace, in faithfulness, in truth.
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After all was done our party was asked to perform the poi, but because we were aware that the marae was muddy we did not bring all the things needed for the poi. Despite that the poi dances they did there showed how good they were and one hundred and twenty-two pounds was collected. Because the buildings were full and because the group had much to do we were not able to accept the invitation to the group to stay and instead we returned to stay at Manutuke. They were very happy and glad when we arrived there. They had become like brothers and sisters at gatherings for various purposes in recent times. It was as if a seed of love had grown in people’s hearts. Although we are physically far apart, kind hearts bring us close. We are as one! There were many words of welcome spoken to us. These people are not quick to forget.
On the night of Wednesday 20th the local people held a dance for us in the Manutuke Hall. Many people gathered and we were asked to perform because those people were not able to go to Gisborne. We performed the lament for the soldiers. There £104 was donated. Sir Timi Kara and the Hon Apirana Ngata were full of praise for the group’s performance, and many people were seen to be deeply moved.
On the Thursday we performed in the Gisborne Opera House. Many people came there. Performing in the hall was very stressful because the equipment in the hall had not been set out. However the night ended well.
On Friday 22nd the performance went very smoothly and on the Saturday it was excellent and many people attended.
On the Sunday the local people said goodbye to us and gave us a further £104, but we returned it because of the great hospitality they had given the group, and instead we carried away their love in the hearts of each of us. At six o’clock we went to the wharf. When we arrived there the sea was rough and there was a violent storm, and our ferry had not come. We had a problem. We stayed in the town and returned on the Tuesday night. A dance was held in the town on Monday which raised £35. When we were staying at Manutuke we were eating all the time, om the town we stayed and ate thanks to the kindness of all the people. When we went to the wharf they wept a great deal and we wept with them.
To conclude this article we salute the elders, our Gisborne friends, both Maori and Pakeha, for their hospitality to us and our young people. Whether in the churches,
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or in the streets, or in eating places, or in the public houses, we all received the same kind hospitality. So, our chiefs and our friends in the narrower or wider circle of our thoughts, our best wishes to you all. Thank you for your many kindnesses. Our love has increased. Our heartfelt hope is that our words will reach our far flung friends, that we can talk to one another through our bird who sings in this cold time for the customs of the Maori world.
Te Kopara, farewell! Carry love to the many marae of the Great Forest of Tane. Honour the old world, scrutinize the new world, make your mark on the days ahead.
P.H.T.
WAIKATO AND THE CONSCRIPTION LAW.
After the announcement that the Conscription Law would be extended to the Maori People, some of those opposed were aroused. At the beginning of this month Waikato, Ngapuhi, and Ngati Paoa met at Government House at Waipapa, Parnell. The main concern of that hui was the extension of the Conscription Law to include Maori and one of the main speakers was Karitoki Te Ahu. In his speech he said that this Conscription Law was not aimed at the whole Maori People but at Waikato, and so it was an important matter for discussion because Waikato is not like Te Arawa, Ngatiporou and Ngatikahungunu – they are one with the Government but Waikato is separate. Had some other tribes said to Waikato to go to the war then Waikato’s thoughts may have been clarified and perhaps it would have been easier for them to go. But under the Treaty of Waitangi it is clear that the Government is not able to conscript Maori. According to what Matene Waero said, this was not the time for talking because not all the chiefs of Waikato and Hauraki were present and the hui should be postpone until a later time.
Afterwards Te Heuheu Tukino stood and said that it was right that the Conscription Law requiring people to go to the war should apply to the Maori People, and that they should reveal the noble blood and the strength of our ancestors from olden times, and ‘amongst you, Waikato, are some excellent fighters of noble blood. Therefore, Waikato, leave to one side the old troubles for the time being. Rise, gird yourselves, and go and fight for the Empire of which you are a part. It is no good delaying and calling another hui. I tell you that now is the time to stand up and be counted while the sun is shining and before the Conscription Law finds you still sitting on your behinds.
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I support the extension of the Conscription Act to include the Maori People.’
The decision of Waikato was to wait and to hold a hui at Morrinsville on 14th September; and to aske the Government to suspend its Conscription Bill until that time.
A LETTER RECEIVED.
In his letter to the Head-teacher of Te Rau College (Rev F W Chatterton), Chaplain Wepiha Te Wainohu said:
‘Sir, I have received the shillings you sent (£20) in response to my request that you find some shillings with which I can help my lads . Thank you, Sir. It is very beautiful here at present and people are in good spirits. Now we are close to the place where there have been major advances and fierce fighting, and it is thought that this is the move which will bring closer the end of the war. Now our Maori Contingent is about to become a distinct Maori Unit. I am very pleased to hear that Maori from home are keen to come here. My lads are very fit and healthy despite the bitter cold, and those who are unwell are not nearly as many as the Pakeha sick. I have also received a letter from the Bible Society saying that they have almost finished printing some hymn books for us. There are many Maori in England and I do not know what the situation is with regard to Maori services for them. If the separation of the Maori Contingent is finalized we will be able to have a Maori minister for them in the Camp there and that minister will also be able to go about visiting the Maori in the hospitals. There is much work to be done there. There are many loose women and wicked men there to tempt them to fall into wrongdoing. Therefore it is right that someone is resident there to help them, to care for the Camp, and to look after the sick and wounded. It is true to say that the work in the Maori Encampment in England is as difficult as the work here in France, and the nature of the work here is under war conditions. I would say that it would be a very great contribution if someone was sent to England to work on the Maori side of the Church. I am not able to leave my work here to go to London. And I am very sad to hear that some of them have got into trouble in England. Not one of them has got into trouble here but when they arrive in
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England they fall into temptations and go astray. Some of them have married women who do not deserve to be called women. Why is this? Because there is no-one there to help and guide them. It is very sad because the Maori People are being given a bad name by the doings of these few. We here in France are raising the reputation of the Maori People while some in England are bringing it down. However my main concern is to achieve this good outcome for the Maori in England. I finish my story for the time being.
H.W.W.
France, May 17th, 1917.
MORE ITEMS.
In the English Parliament one of the members has become agitated at the wicked actions of Turkey in massacring the people of Armenia. (Armenia is inland and under the rule of Turkey in Asia.) So that member asked the Minister with oversight of the sea if he was considering sending the Fleet to save the people of Armenia. The Minister replied: I do not know about sending the Fleet to Armenia, but I do know that in the time of Noah’s Ark the sending of a ship to that area did not go well and it ended up on Mount Ararat.
A meeting of the clergy of the Church of England was held in Taranaki with Archdeacon [?Ewene ?Evans] presiding. The business of the meeting was to consider the size of the Diocese of Auckland, and to see if it was possible to separate Taranaki and the surrounding area and make it a diocese. The proposal was agreed. The work to implement it has begun now but it is for all the Bishops and the Clergy to determine the boundaries.
We are all aware of the time when Russia was troubled, the king fled, and a long time later a new Government was put in place and Russia resumed fighting. But because of the ability of Germany to cause trouble through its many spies, some of the Russian soldiers have been bought off, some of them being paid £35 by Germany, and more of them have deserted and will not fight. As a result of these troubles, women and their groups have gone to fight. Latest news is that the leader of the women has been wounded but they have taken 100 German prisoners.
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THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
Killed in Action: Pvt K Morehu, Henry Korako, Fred Nikorima, Hirini Taiwhanga, Wiremu Tuhiwai, Sgt Charles Savage.
Wounded: Prvts Te Mate, R W Tipene, P Andrews, R Kereti, T Barnett, Kauri Matiu, Tame Moari, Honiana Puna, Edward Thompson, Ashton Hapi, Rihari Hemi, Rota Hohipuha, Rua Kainuku, Tom Leach, Potikai Tapihana, Rori Riwhi, Wari Panapa, W Katau, G W Owen, R Turi, P Ratimana, H Wehipeihana, Thomas Wilkinson, P Albert, W M Lockwood, H Te Maru, Pera Hautapu, R Karina, W Lardelli, Hori Penetito,Wetini Temuera, A Witana, Pita Pirimi, Wi Tamihana, Wimutu Hini, Wharau Tipuna, R K Akuhata, W Maitai, D Taylor, R Poutahi, A Hokai, R Turner, L Kerehoma, B S Ngatai, Rihari Mete, Pita Pirimi, Poi Werata, P Tamehana. Bugler H Turikateni. Lance-corp T Brown, Corp H Kerei, Sgt Apiata Apanui, Corp Parekura Halbert, Lance-corp J Danger, Sgt Ngahuwi Petiha, Lieut H R Vercoe, QMS W Davis, Corporal T Pirimi, Lance-corp H P Ratete, Corp R Te Paa, Lance-corp P Pereto.
Died of Wounds: Prvts Manu Tuki, Henare Paraone, Tere Hape, Sgt Hohaia Manuera.
Seriously Ill: Prvts N Paeroa, K Warena. Sgt Tame Arapata.
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WAR NEWS
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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 to
Te Kopara,
Te Rau Press,
Gisborne.
4. All items you want printed in Te Kopara should be sent to the Editor,
Rev F A Bennett,
Kohupatiki,
Clive, Hawkes Bay.
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/-
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, red cover, 3/6
Prayer Book, New Testament and Hymns, superior cover, 5/6
Hymns 6d
Words for the Prayerful Heart 3d
I will pay the postage to send the books to you
H W Williams,
Naurea Private Bag, 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/-.
New Testament with explanatory headings. 2/6, 3/-, 4/6. Enclose a postage stamp for 3d.
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