Te Kopara 51
[3] Te Kopara, Number 51, Gisborne, 12 January, 1918.
‘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 HOLY CITY.
The Holy City has fallen; Jerusalem has fallen! The Christian Church rejoices. It is happy because for seven hundred years now the Christian Church has not been able to flutter over the walls of Jerusalem and, at last, it can. The Jews are weeping with joy because they now know that their home will be returned to them; it is as if at last the heavens have responded to their cries of distress over the past several hundred years.
The fall of Jerusalem is a very remarkable event in this war, something that the whole world wonders at. People’s thoughts are now all turning eastwards and seeking the significance of this happening. ‘Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?’ (Acts 1.6) ‘Is this the time when you will gather your people from amongst the heathen, from the ends of the earth, and return them to their own land?’ (cf Ezekiel 36.24).
[The following hymn, E Ihu, e te Kingi nui, is Number 156 in the Maori Prayer Book and Number 63 in the Presbyterian Maori Service Book and Hymnal. The English Version of that book has the original words which I reproduce below after my own back-translation. – Barry Olsen]
1. Jesus, great King, hasten the day when the whole world will truly believe in your name. Yes, Jesus, take the whole world as your home.
2. Let the good news travel throughout the world. And do away completely with the works of the devil. Yes, Jesus, take the whole world as your home.
3. Send your messengers to preach salvation so that the ends of the whole earth may believe. Yes, Jesus, take the whole world as your home.
[1. O Jesus, mighty King Divine,
Speed on Thy Gospel’s glorious day,
When men shall everywhere believe,
And turn to Thee, the living Way.
O Lord, Thy Kingdom hasten in,
Thy people save, the nations win.
2. Send forth Thy Gospel through the world,
Bless Thou the saving word of grace.
Break down the powers of darkness, Lord.
That riot still before thy face.
O Lord, Thy Kingdom hasten in,
Thy people save, the nations win.
3. Through all the world Thy preachers send,
To spread the good, glad news around,
Till men shall hear and all believe,
And Thy salvation shall abound.
O Lord, Thy Kingdom hasten in,
Thy people save, the nations win.]
‘God of mercy who created all mankind, you hate nothing that you have made and you do not want
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the sinner to perish but to turn to you and find salvation: Have mercy on all the Jews, the Turks, the non-believers, and those of wrong beliefs; do away with their ignorance and their hardness of heart and their despising of your Word; bring them into your beloved flock, Lord, that they may find life in the remnant of the true Israel, that there may be one flock and one shepherd, Jesus Christ our Lord who lives with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.’
LETTERS RECEIVED.
We have received an explanatory letter for publication concerning the day of the opening of Te Poho o Tamaterangi, Wairoa, and that of Nukutaimemeha, Puanani, Carterton. The dates are very close to one another. The letter has been sent on 10th January, 1918, by Major H P Tunuiarangi. He asks ‘that all those of you responsible for Te Poho o Tamaterangi be so kind as to postpone the opening day of this house of ours because it impinges on the day of our event. – Major H.P.T.’
ORDINATIONS.
On 23rd December, Nepia Hotene and Waata Kopae were ordained as Deacons and Matene Keepa as Priest, in the Cathedral in Napier. Because the Archdeacon of Hawkes Bay was unwell it fell to the Head Teacher of Te Rau College (Rev F W Chatterton) to present these men to the Bishop.
The preacher was one of the Pakeha clergy, the Rev Eric Rice, who took as his text 1 Corinthians 4.1-2: ‘As servants of Christ … they should be trustworthy.’ The sermon was, in brief, an instruction to those being ordained to remember that this is the greatest calling of all. They are not to seek the good things of this life and are to be humble as they look to the life to come. ‘We do not enter upon this work for the satisfaction of being liked by people but rather we are to find satisfaction in working for God and through our work as stewards we are to put others into possession of the hidden things of God, the life hereafter, and to bring glory to God. But the only way in which we will have strength to do this is by faithful prayer. And not only on Sundays but every day
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and in your homes too. You who are being ordained are to be examples for your Maori People. If you are weak then your people will be the same.’
The Reverend Nepia Hotene is going to Rotorua and the Reverend Waata Kopae is going to work in Nuhaka. The Reverend Matene Keepa is returning to Gisborne but in the coming March he will move to the Parish of Moteo, Hastings, and the Reverend Mate Wharehuia will go to the Parish of Turanga.
WAR NEWS.
The Western Front.
The Allies are remaining quiet on this front and are working to consolidate their base and to hold on to the places they have taken from the enemy. But perhaps the reason why the Allies are not engaging in extensive fighting at present is a concern to give their men some rest. This is an appropriate time because the ice is freezing and it is very thick. Secondly, the Allies have been fighting for nearly a year in the West without conceding any territory in the fighting. Only the Germans have been working secretly in an effort to break the Allied line. The area in which they are trying to make a break-through now is the French territory. They have seen that it is difficult to fight with the English and have instead planned to deal first with the French and then turn to the English. They have launched two assaults on the French to no avail.
The Eastern Front.
Peace-making.
No peace agreement has been concluded as yet between Germany and Russia. Perhaps this peace settlement will not happen because Russia’s requirements are not congenial to Germany and likewise Germany’s requirements are not congenial to Russia. Russia want Germany to retreat to within its own borders and to return its territories that have been seized by Germany. This is a difficult proposition for Germany. There are many more things required by each side and so it is thought that no peace will be made between them.
The Italians.
The people are very loyal to their Government. This is a good sign, a sign that the people are united.
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The Austrians and Germans tried to cross the Piave River but they fell victim to the Italians.
Some 5,320,000 Italian soldiers are on the field of battle now [?me te matohi ano mo nga mea kua kahore.]
Palestine.
Four towns to the north of Jerusalem have been taken by the Allies, that is, by General Allenby, the general who conquered Jerusalem. One thousand Turks and Germans have been killed and six hundred taken prisoner. Twenty machine-guns were captured.
TAARE R PARATA, MP.
On Tuesday, 8th January, the newspapers informed us that Taare R Parata, the Maori Member for Te Waipounamu had entered upon the long sleep. Farewell, friend, to your people, to your rest. There will be an article about him later. We greet all the members of the family of this leader of the Maori People in the house of learning the ways of the Pakeha that is open in Wellington. May the invisible Father bring comfort to all of you.
ITEMS ABOUT THE WAR.
In Sir Douglas Haig’s report on the war in 1917 he spoke very highly of the English fleet. He said that it was the English warships that facilitated the work of those of us fighting on the land that we who were fighting overseas have seen how effective the English fleet is. Without those warships we could not fight or make progress. It is indeed difficult work carrying food and men and equipment to us with the German submarines active day and night and no possibility of retreat. But we have continued to receive all these supplies and have not been in need of anything.
The Maori People are contributing £25,000 to support the Maori soldiers; of this amount £14,000 has already been collected. It will not before long before we reach the goal.
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Ten Germans who fled from Motuihi [Motuihe] have been captured. Eight of them hid but were found and have been returned to New Zealand. They escaped on board a scow but happened upon a ship, the Moa, at sea and climbed aboard, took the crew prisoner, and seized the ship. Some days afterwards the scow sank and as a result they were quickly captured as there was no way for them to get to land. The ship that seized them said that they were flying the German flag as they sailed, and they were told that if they fled they would be fired upon, whereupon they stopped. Had Maori been guarding these Germans they would not have shut their eyes [konewa sic ?konewha]. An enquiry is being held into this matter in Auckland.
The leader of those Germans, Von Luckner, asked who wouldn’t flee if the way was open before them.
The Commission looking into the escape of 11 (sic) Germans from Motuihi has ended its enquiry. They are now preparing their report to present to the Minister for War.
The number of men and guns that have fallen into English hands from the beginning of 1917 to the end is:
Region / Men / Guns
Western Front / 73,131 / 531
Palestine / 17,646 / 108
Mesopotamia / 15,944 / 124
East Africa / 6,728 / 18
Total / 114,544 / 781
English Losses
Western Front / 27,000 / 166
Palestine / 610 / -
Mesopotamia / 269 / -
East Africa / 100 / -
Thessalonika / 202 / -
Total / 28,379 / 166
Germany has lost 6,000,000 in the course of this war. One million five hundred thousand have been killed; three million have been wounded, five hundred thousand seriously; two million are no longer fit for service.
NOTICE.
On 22nd February the Church Hui will be held at Waipiro.
W W Waiapu, Bishop.
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A LAMENT FOR THE SOLDIERS WHO HAVE GONE TO THE WAR.
It is I, your friend, who greets you, you birds who sing so beautifully to your pet, my many chiefs in various parts of the many forests of the Maori islands which float on the Moana-nui-a-Kiwa [the Pacific Ocean]:
Greetings to you all! Greetings to you all! With the deep aspirations within your hearts: you alone know what they are like, how large they are, or what a burden they are.
Here am I, the Bellbird [Te Kopara], your very small friend who carries on my shoulders my many thoughts and great hopes for things spiritual and things physical, beginning with the wintry events which have spread a dark cloud over the face of the earth up to the present time. We have not been able to wait for indications of the events of this year. Perhaps I am too eager, spurred on by what is happening at this time. Perhaps this will be a season of famine. If it is so then I will have been mistaken. However, look up! The grey warbler has indicated that this is a new year. The black-backed gull has flown into the interior calling out, ‘Hello.’ But the weka who has observed things well is squawking. However the pigeon is murmuring. It would be better were it not so because the only thing that will be really sweet to him is a peace settlement. Therefore, my friends, as I see it there will be a delay in furthering the plans for this time. Consequently my thoughts go back and I consider the hopes of my heart for the spring of the year and for the harvesting of the great plans for things relating to God and for things relating to humanity. As for things relating to God, the faith is growing along lines relating to the present situation. My friends, look at the tops of your high peaks – there are artillery guns, gas shells, bayonets, aeroplanes, torpedoes, and all sorts of other fearful weapons in the hands of men, and in the hearts too of Christians, prodding at their Christianity. What are we to make of this situation? What we have is hope for Wepiha Te Wainohu and his many companions and for what they are achieving on the field of battle. Such is the spiritual side. But as for the hope in the hearts of each of us for worldly affairs, it is up against things which bring tears and physical affliction, and so, my many friends,
‘He kaha ui te kaha,’
An ancestral line questions the lineage [cf Nga Pepeha 438],
and why should it be like this? The Creator knows. But the heart within a person here has little insight into God’s ways. Therefore it is right that the crushed heart suffers, and that the one who longs hopelessly should weep. This is a season of famine. The hopes of others, the soul’s hopes, my hopes – where are they in these days? The new fruits of peace – where are they?
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Where is the marae that has not been touched by this disaster? The race of mankind is lost. Therefore leave behind in your hearts the songs from the time when the Great Forest of Tane was unspoiled, but sing with the voice of the present time as a reminder to our chiefs, to your children, to your grandchildren, and to all our friends, some of whom are there in the heat of the fighting while others have fallen on the field of battle – an offering to the King and to the honour of God. Although this is a lament from the crushed heart, that heart’s hope is that it may be a gift to those in pain and sorrow. Therefore, you birds with sweet voices, you with generous thoughts, your friend, your pet, greets you with love. A lament for those who have gone to the war.
[The following is the original version of E pari ra under the title Haere ra. It was written by Paraire H Tomoana in 1918. I include the Maori text and my translation. The New Zealand Folk Song website does not contain this version but has later versions and information about the writer and the tune. – Barry Olsen]
Haere Ra
Tune: ‘Blue Eyes’
E pari ra nga tai ki te akau,
E hotu ra, ko taku manawa.
Aue! Haria mai te aroha ki ahau;
Te iwi e, he ngakau tangi noa.
Tena ra, tahuri mai!
E te tau, te aroha!
Tenei ra ahau te tangi nei
Mohou ka wehe nei.
Haere ra, mahara mai,
E te tau, kia mau ki au.
Haere ra! Ka tuturu ahau;
Haere ra!
Haere ra te Wiwi haere ra!
Haria ra te aroha i ahau.
Aue! Me tangi noa ahau i muri nei.
Haere ra te Wiwi haere ra.
Aue! Ngaro noa koe e Tama,
Nga marae nei.
Ko te aroha e Tama
E peehi kino nei.
Kei karipori koe e Tama
Kei Paranihi.
Aue te mamae e Tama
Haere! Haere ra!
Kaori hoki e te po nei
Te heri wairua mai; He aroha ki te Wiwi
Ka hinga i pamamao.
Kei Ihipa koe e Tama,
Kei Karipori ra;
Kei Paranihi e Tama.
Haere! Haere ra!
By P H Tomoana, Waipatu.
The waves dash onto the shore.
My heart throbs.
People, love me,
For my heart weeps hopelessly.
So, come back to me my love, my beloved.
Here I am weeping for you from whom I am parted.
Farewell! Remember me, beloved, hold me.
Farewell. I will be faithful to you.
Farewell.
Farewell, as you go to France, farewell!
Carry my love with you.
Alas, I remain behind weeping hopelessly.
Farewell, as you go to France, farewell!
Alas, you have gone, Tama, from these marae.
Love for you, Tama, overwhelms me.
You are at Gallipoli, Tama, and in France.
Alas, the pain I feel, Tama!
Farewell! Farewell!
Your spirit does not
Carry to me at night;
Out of compassion for the French
You lay down your life in distant lands.
In Egypt, Tama,
There in Gallipoli,
And in France, Tama.
Farewell! Farewell.
E hotu ra, ko taku manawa.
Aue! Haria mai te aroha ki ahau;
Te iwi e, he ngakau tangi noa.
Tena ra, tahuri mai!
E te tau, te aroha!
Tenei ra ahau te tangi nei
Mohou ka wehe nei.
Haere ra, mahara mai,
E te tau, kia mau ki au.
Haere ra! Ka tuturu ahau;
Haere ra!
Haere ra te Wiwi haere ra!
Haria ra te aroha i ahau.
Aue! Me tangi noa ahau i muri nei.
Haere ra te Wiwi haere ra.
Aue! Ngaro noa koe e Tama,
Nga marae nei.
Ko te aroha e Tama
E peehi kino nei.
Kei karipori koe e Tama
Kei Paranihi.
Aue te mamae e Tama
Haere! Haere ra!
Kaori hoki e te po nei
Te heri wairua mai; He aroha ki te Wiwi
Ka hinga i pamamao.
Kei Ihipa koe e Tama,
Kei Karipori ra;
Kei Paranihi e Tama.
Haere! Haere ra!
By P H Tomoana, Waipatu.
The waves dash onto the shore.
My heart throbs.
People, love me,
For my heart weeps hopelessly.
So, come back to me my love, my beloved.
Here I am weeping for you from whom I am parted.
Farewell! Remember me, beloved, hold me.
Farewell. I will be faithful to you.
Farewell.
Farewell, as you go to France, farewell!
Carry my love with you.
Alas, I remain behind weeping hopelessly.
Farewell, as you go to France, farewell!
Alas, you have gone, Tama, from these marae.
Love for you, Tama, overwhelms me.
You are at Gallipoli, Tama, and in France.
Alas, the pain I feel, Tama!
Farewell! Farewell!
Your spirit does not
Carry to me at night;
Out of compassion for the French
You lay down your life in distant lands.
In Egypt, Tama,
There in Gallipoli,
And in France, Tama.
Farewell! Farewell.
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MORE NEWS.
The Hon A T Ngata attended the meeting of teachers in Maori Schools in Auckland. In his speech there he said that arrangements have been made for everything the heart wants to see taught in Maori schools but he believes that the right time has come to teach boys technical skills. The well-being of Maori resides in farming, and their main work, and the job of teachers is to plant the seeds of this occupation in them, and to discourage boys’ desires to get certificates. Ngata said that there ought to be a ‘drafting’ school set up for the children. There one could see what would be the appropriate kind of work for each child according to his intelligence. If a child is very intelligent then he ought to go into the law or some similar occupation; if his gifts lie in farming then he should go to Lincoln College where farming is taught, or to Hawkesbury College in New South Wales. The awkward aspect of present practice is only teaching the children subjects which will prepare them for examinations to be lawyers, doctors or ministers. The things Maori girls should be taught to do are things which make a home a home and things relating to the care of children.
◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊◊
When the Master of Te Rau visited Napier at Christmas time he went up in an aeroplane which climbed up to one thousand feet. It is said that while he was sitting in that plane he said to the pilot in charge: ‘Be very careful that your aircraft doesn’t develop problems; I don’t have the ability to walk on the surface of the water like the Good Master, Christ.’
The teachers and children of Hukarere School are grateful for the gift they have received from the Maori ministers. At the last meeting of the Synod the Rev Kakaraia Pahewa took some photographs of the school. Two of them were framed and were presented by the Maori ministers in gratitude for the hospitality shown by Hukarere during the Synod.
THE ROLL OF HONOUR.
Killed in Action: H Smith, C Clark, Pera Hina, C Wood, Nikora Te Tuhi, He Peri, H Te Paro, Lance-corporal Twepana Taurere, Manukau Hapuku, Hone M Power,
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E Toheriri, J Poutawera, P Hohepa, Horomona Kanapu, Karena Wero Mohi (Corporal), Hori Kereama, Henare Hauiti, Pona Marunui, T Wharepapa, Lance-corporal Hori Takoko.
Died of Wounds: Private T Mihaere, Teruauwai Hunia, H Rewharewha, Lance-corporal Edward Angel.
Wounded: O Akuhata, H Anaru, M Panapa, P Tahau, R Waipuke, W Phillips, R Harehuru, Sergeant C Swanson, Captain J Ferris, Captain Wiremu H Walker, R Taki, J Kape, T Rapatine, Andrew Paul, M Paraone, H Teohu, P Pera, M Terewa, Mahuika Herewini, Tamati Matiu, Hoani Piri, Lance-corporal Ngapera, Corporal Remana Paenga, Corporal J W Tepene, Sergeant J Grace, Joseph Paka, Second Lieutenant Rauhira, Lance-corporal Roma Johnson, Pounari, Moa Williams, Hirini Waititi.
Wounded, but still in camp: R Harris, M Hikamate, J Moko, S J Hunter, P Tangitahi, W Williams, R Herepi, J Bragg, H Matehaere, W S Smith, Lance-corporal R Matiu, Sergeant A H Rankin.
Seriously ill in hospital: R Rawhira, H Kopua.
Sick [?tuakiko or ?flesh wounds]: Sergeant J Grace, M Herewini, T Matiu, H Piri, H Waititi, Lieutenant T Hetet, C W Hetet, Lance-corporal Pauro, Lance-corporal Hale, Second Lieutenant M Tehuehue, J Rapihere.
Mild illness: M Turaka.
The number of wounded soldiers who have returned from the field of battle is 527. Those who are still incapacitated number 104, most of whom are doing well. These are the names of the Maori soldiers.
Lieutenant Hamuera A K Ehau, Ohinemutu, Rotorua.
Puehu Hohepa, Galatea, Murupara
Waa Hoko, Matauri, Kaeo.
Tewi Horomona, Whakaki, Hawkes Bay.
William W Kaipo, Waitara, Taranaki.
Wi Rapata Kanara, Awanui North.
Rewe Kerehi, Tokomaru.
Tawha Kohere, Kanukura, East Cape.
Hapimana Kokiri, Rotorua.
P Pararaki, Maketu, Rotorua.
J Tahitahi Ahipara.
Hori Tangaere, Hikuwai, Tokomaru Bay.
Huitau Te Hau, Mahia, Hawkes Bay.
W Te Pairi, Waimana, Whakatane.
Rangi H Ruru, Muriwai, Poverty Bay.
Charlie Kahukere, Te Ngae, Rotorua.
Kawenata Kemp, Okahia, Tauranga.
Tumanui Ngatipehi, Rotorua.
Amo Pene, Morrinsville, Waikato.
Tautoro Pomare, Kaikohe, Bay of Islands.
R Te Meroi, Wellington.
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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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