OBITUARY.

— ■ — . MAJOR ROPATA WAHAWAHA, M.L.C., N.Z.C. [SI'ECIAL TD HEKAIiD.'j Pout Awanui, to-day. Major Ropata Wahawaha died last night at his homo at Wuiomatatiui. He was sensible to the last. Upon receipt of the news of Major Ropativ'a death, Colonel Porter wired to the Defence Minister recommending that the Government furnish a filing party to do honor to the deceased at bis giaveside, It has not yet been decided when the interment will take place, but it will probably not be for some days. Major Ropala will no doubt be buried ut Wuiomatatini, probably upon a rocky cliff known as Puputa, overlooking tho valley, which was formerly an impregnable fortress of his ancestors, and where the remains of some of them lie buried. A lead coflin, prepared by Mr [ Townley, is being shipped to Awanui by the auxiliary tchoonur Wainpn this evening, and will be landed there to-morrow morning. t There ia sure to be a larye a&oomblago of Maoris at the taugi, which is likely to extend over some time. The Hon. Mr Carroll lias intimated hia intention of proceeding to Waiomatatini some time next week, and it is probable bo will be accompanied by a number of Europeans from Gieborne, provided suitable steamer arrangemeuts can be madp for the return journey. I We have been favored by Colonel Porter with information concerning tho life of Major Ropata, which we propose to publish in sections. It will bo found to be of thrilling interest, for the deceased warrior, from hia very boyhood, has had a moat adventures >me career, and his life'a story rovivce memories of the early fighting days upon tho East Const, both before aud after the advent of Europeans. No one can be in a better position to relate the incidents of this lifo than Colcuel Porter, who in the course of a lon£ association and iutimacy with Major Ropata has become possessed of facts that none others can know ; and therefore we arc sure that the story from so authoritative a source will bo doubly welcome. The first instalment will appear to-morrow.