MAORI CENTENARIAN DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 258, 31 October 1929, Page 14

MAORI CENTENARIAN DEAD.

DAUGHTER OP BRITISH

SOLDIER.

ADOPTED BY A TRIBE.

The death occurred laet week at Tirohia, near Te Aroha, of Mere Timihi, who was reputed to be 107 years of age. She was the daughter of Captain Cooper, a British Army officer who was stationed in New.Zealand in 1820,.and Te Mihi, a daughter of a prominent northern chieftain. Soon after the marriage Captain Cooper wa erecalled to England. His child was christened at Kororareka, and later was adopted by the Ngatitamatera tribe. In due course Captain Cooper sent out from England an emissary to find her, but although ho traced her as far as Paeroa, he was assured by the natives that the child was dead. Her first husband was Keremereta, who deserted her some time later. She was afterwards married to Wiremu Potipoti, and several years afterwards he was drowned from a trading canoe on the way to Auckland. Her last husband was Paora Tuinga; who died 16 years ago at the age of 69. Among the centenarian's descendants were Lance-Corporal J. Taupaki, Privates Hori and Remeka Taupoki, and Hori Huitoroa, who all fought in the Great War. Eaihi Teiri, her eldest daughter, says that her mother owed her longevity to the fact that she always partook of plain food and lived a very simple life. The following is her line of ancestry: Tahu, Tamakorohi, Teotaha, Hinetonga, To Kenoterangi, Tanekaikore, Hinekaraka, Kautata, Hakianga, Terohoana, Tamihi, and Mere te Mihi.