These Harmonious Colonies

 

1. Recitative

It appears that as early as the month of March, Captain Wakefield was told by the rangitira Rauparaha and Rangihaeata that they would not allow the Wairau to be surveyed; stating that they had never sold that place.

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They went to the surveyors, spoke to them about proceeding with their surveys, and again requested them to desist. Finding themselves again disregarded, they took everything carefully out of the surveyors’ huts, placed them in their tents, enquired of them whether everything was removed, set fire to the tents, observing that they had a right to do what they like with their own property on their own lands, against obstinate, unjust and oppressive Europeans.

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The surveyors thus stopped their work, proceeded to Nelson, and procured from the Police Magistrate a warrant against the rangitira for arson, and upwards of forty men were armed, who proceeded to the Wairau to arrest Rauparaha and Rangihaeata.

 

2. Sinfonia

 

3. Recitative

Some days later, the Europeans arrived at a small creek, on the opposite side of which were the two rangitira, who rose and said:

 

4. Chorus

Here I am. Here I am. What is there with me that you are so hostile?

 

5. Recitative

Mr Thompson told them that they must go on the brig to be tried for having burnt the huts, to which Rauparaha replied:

 

6. Chorus

This is my land, and not yours.

I have burned nothing of yours.

 

7. Recitative

At this honest rebuke, Mr Thompson flew into a dreadful passion, and said he must come, and if he did not, he would fire upon him. Rauparaha said:

 

8. Recitative-Chorus

No, do not fight; let us settle it quickly; and equitably; but do not fight.

 

9. Recitative

Mr Thompson stamped, and foamed at the mouth with rage, and again threatened he would command his people to fire; ALTO when Puaha, a nephew of Rauparaha, rose with a Māori Testament, and, addressing the Police Magistrate, said:

 

10. Chorus (Psalm)

We profess to be guided and bound by the precepts in this book;

Let blood not be shed, but let us settle this matter quickly.

Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

Blessed are they that put their trust in him.

 

11. Recitative

The Magistrate pushed away with his hand this reasonable Christian, rejected his proposals, and knocked the book out of his hand. He then said, “where is Rangihaeata”, who came forward, and said:

 

12. Chorus

What do you want with me?

Have I gone to England to rob you of land?

Are you going to tie me up, and make a slave of me?

 

13. Recitative

A warrant was then produced, and the explanation given them of it, was:

 

14. Chorus (Hymn)

For the Book and for the Queen herself,

Make a tie Rauparaha,

For burning Pākeha’s huts;

Make a tie Rauparaha.

 

For the Book and for the Queen herself,

Make a tie Rangihaeata,

For burning Pākeha’s huts;

Make a tie Rangihaeata.

 

15. Recitative

After which, Mr Thompson ordered his men to advance, some of whom said:

 

16. Duet

No, no, no, there are a great number of natives.

 

17. 

“Oh”, said Captain Wakefield, “there are plenty of men, and plenty of guns”.

 

Word was given by the Police Magistrate to fire upon Māori; one gun was fired, and instantaneously followed by a volley upon the Māori, three of whom fell; then, and not until then, Puaha jumped up, and said:

 

Stand up for your lives.

 

And Rauparaha ordered his people—equipped with only nine guns loaded with mere pebbles—to fire in response:

 

Patu! Kill them that they disappear as the dust that is known by the wind. Patu!

 

18. Chorus

Auē.

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How can our government acknowledge that they were in the wrong: that they killed Māori without provocation?

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Auē.