DEATH OF A NOTABLE MAORI CHIEFTAINESS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 187, 7 August 1905, Page 3

DEATH OF A NOTABLE MAORI CHIEFTAINESS.

The death of the aged Maori chief-1 tainess Mere Kuru Te Kate has occurred at Paeroa, and the customary tangi, is being beld. Between. 30 and 40 years ago "Mere Kuru" was a weß-known name to Aueklanders. As head of the Ngatitainatera tribe, at Thames, she strenuously opposed the advent of the European," being a strong advocate of the poliev of the land for the Maoris. At one sitting of the Native Lands Court there, Mere Kuru was dancing wildly round the judge waving a mere in one hand and a tomahawk in the other, and it looked very much as if there was going to be a general massacre of the Court officials, but tact smoothed matters over. When geld was discovered at Thames, Mere Kuru, according to her usual tactics, tried to block matters, but that field was opened by Mr James Maekay in 1867. Prospectors soon began to push further afield, but Ohinemuri district was absolutely blocked by Mere Kuru, aided by her cousin, Te Hira Ttnri. Many parties of prospectors were turned back by the Maoris, and at length to cheek the energy of the goldhunters the novel method was adopted of sending them back minus their outfit, and also their dothing, but no one was absolutely injured- As a matter of fact, Mere Kuru and Te Hira were able J;o block the opening up of Ohinemuri to golddiggers from 1867 to March 3, 1875. It took a lot of trouble to remove Mere Hutu's opposition, but this was at length done by the late Sir Donald McLean, who with Mr Jas. Maekay went to see the cbieftainess, and by means of a golden key unlocked the door that was until then locked upon a.district that contained the wonderful Waihi and many other properties that jhave proved very rich gold producers. Mere Kuru had attained an advanced age. Tie Maoris themselves claim that she was over 100 years of age,and even. Europeans calculate she must have been fully 95 years old. She wz» married, but had vCO duUirMv