MR. TAITE TE TOMO

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

PALMERSTON N., This Day.

One of the best-known Maoris in the province, Mr. Taite Te Tomo, formerly Member of Parliament for the Western District, died suddenly at his home at Kakariki Pa yesterday morning. He was 65 years of age, ana is survived by his second Wife, Mrs. Ngahuia Matengaro, a member of the Maniapoto tribe of Waikaxo, ana several children.

The late Mr. Te Tomo was a member of the Tuwharetoa Tribe, .of Taupo, and was the lineal descendant of a long line of chiefs and tohunga of his hapu. He had the full Maori gift of oratory and a wonderful knowledge of folk lore and legends, and his death removes one of the few remaining sources of knowledge of that nature. He "was recognised by both the Maoris and pakehas throughout New Zealand

las outstanding in his knowledge of Maori genealogy, and in this capacity gave distinctive service to the Boardj of Ethnological Research, of which he | was a member. ' He was called upon to take a prominent part in the celebrations in connection with the gift of the treaty house at Waitangi by Viscount and Lady Bledisloe. On occasions a statement by him to a Maori Land Board was considered sufficient to solve some dispute about Native land ownership. He was a close friend and confidant of Princess Te Puea and of the Maori King Koroki. In 1932 he stood for the Western Maori seat in Parliament and was successful, giving his support to the Coalition Government, but he lost his position with the defeat of the party, at the 1935 elections. He stood again in the interest of the National Party last year, but was unsuccessful. During his three years as a member of the House Mr. Te Tomo sat on several commissions and boards of inquiry into Native affairs, his extensive knowledge of the Maori race allowing him to make' important contributions to the proceedings. His work at all times for the younger members of his race was remarkable, and the wide influence he wielded was one for -the good of his people. Preparations are in hand for the holding of a tangi at the Kakariki Pa.