228 TUTIRA 



turn master for a time. It would be difficult, for instance, to imagine an 

 English landlord writing to his tenant say the Duke of Westminster, 

 imploring an advance of rent from a tenant in Upper Tooting in the 

 following strain : 



" DEAR SIR, Wroting you these few lines to let you know that told 



me there is a mistake about my money of the lease, the first time he drow my 



money the time when get married, it was the year in 1899 that the year 



get it since that time you have look at the book you see how many 



money it comes to now, there is some money for me there, about three pound ten 

 shilling if nothing all the money I get from you 15- 15-4 well you think from 

 that year 1899 and how many money comes to this year, well you take out all 

 the year money you add this money you gave me you will see the mistake in 

 it if I am not sick I come there myself, well I am not well Dear Sir, that why 

 I write to you give me some money I heard that you came to pay all the maoris 

 of the lease will you kindly give me some money for I am very sick I am not 

 well I was trying to come to Tutira to get me some money, well I cannot get on 

 my horse I was very weak some maori told me you wont give me some money I 

 told them I always asked you for some money you always gave me some money 

 Please dont for get to send me some money if you send just 3-10 that is good 

 enough that will do me for I cant get any money to buy me some food to eat 

 Please dont for get to send me some money I want it very bad if you send me 

 some money you give it to Riria Watene I have been bad all the Maoris got 

 some money only myself Please dont for get Dear Sir be kind to the poor thing. 

 Please dont for get to give to the one bring my letter to you I remain yours 



Doubtless we were " kind to the poor thing." Here is another 

 example of the pathetic appeal : 



" To Mr Garthrie. 



" DEAR SIR, Will you kindly give my money to Joe that my letter what 

 I gave to Watene Please don't you forget to give it to Joe Watene told me 

 he never see you when he came back Please don't you forget to give some 

 money if you can give two years I want 7 Please don't forget I am 

 very hard up I get no money and I am not well Please don't forget. I 

 remain yours truly ." 



Then there is the business type of epistle : 



" DEAR SIR, I have the Greatest Opportunity of writting you a few lines 

 hoping to find you in the best of health And I may also have the pleasure of 

 asking if you can Obelige me with the money of the lease for this year, etc., 

 etc." 



" This year " really meant next year, for always after signature a 

 year's rent was advanced. Or 



