Page:Overland Journey of the Governor of New Zealand.djvu/54

Rh I send greeting; to you, and to your family, and to all your people.

From your attached Friend, ,

,, July 3rd, 1872.

.

O sire, salutations! I send greeting to the greatest of our benefactors—to one whose love has been felt by those who are dead and gone, as well as by the living!

O sire, salutations! Your letter has been received, and both I and my tribe have seen it. Great is my satisfaction that you should still remember us, residing, as you now are, in the midst of the great world, and near the fountain of life!

O sire, the reports of what you are doing have reached this country. We are greatly rejoiced, because all your plans are clear and comprehensive. Was it not through the clearness of your plans that our troubles in this land were brought to an end? Did you not encourage and direct us, your Maori children, in the days of fighting, and help us to put down the evil? Was it not through your work that peace was finally established among us?

O sire, continue to exert your influence on behalf of the Maori tribes. You know me, and you know my works. You know that I and my tribe strove to maintain the Queen's