FUNERAL SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 15

FUNERAL SERVICE.

LATE SIR MAUI POMARE.

GATHERING IN WELLINGTON,

MAORI AND PAKEHA

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, Monday,

There was a large and representative attendance at the funeral service of the late Sir Maui Pomare at St. Paul's Cathedral, Wellington, to-day. The principal mourners were Lady Pomare, her two sons, Messrs. Naera and To Rakaherea Pomare, her daughter, Miss Ana Pomare, Mrs. Woodbine Johnstone, mother of Lady Pomare, and Mrs. R. Sherratt, sister of Lady Pomare. Among those present were the Chief Justice, Sir Michael Myers, Ministers of the Crown, members of the Legislative Council and the House of Representatives, Judges of the Native Land Court and prominent citizens.

The pall bearers were Sir Apirana Ngata. the Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Mr. K. S. Williams, Mr. Tan Henare and Mr. Hapi Love. Mr. A. C. Day, official secretary, represented the Governor-General. The service was conducted by the Bishop of Wellington, Dr. T. IT. Sprott. who was assisted by Canon James, Canon Williams,' superintendent of the Maori mission, and the Rev. P. Kokiri, of Carterton.

Canon Williams said they had met to honour the memory of one who, by the patient development of quite exceptional gifts and by the faithful employment of these in the service of his fellow men. won his way to a wellmerited position of honour. Sir Maui Pomare had always the welfare of his race at heart.

At the conclusion of the service the casket was removed to the vestibule of Parliament Buildings, where a Maori taiigi was held. An address to the dead was delivered by Mr. Hapi Love.

"The news of the cremation of Sir Maui Pomare," said Sir Apirana Ngata in an address to Lady Pomare, "came as a shock, but during the weeks that we have been waiting, for you and his remains tc be brought back to New Zealand that feeling has died down. It was only to be expected that, on receipt of the news his. people and the Maori people throughout New Zealand should feel shocked.

'"We welcome you back. We have thought a good deal of you and Sir Maui during your absence. I do not think the Maori people believed that his mission in life had been completed. However, it has pleased the Almighty to call him."

Speaking with the aid of an interpreter. Mr. Coates said it was not only the Maoris who expressed gratitude at seeing Lady Fomare return, but also the Europeans. They realised Lady Pnmare's undivided attention and devotion to Sir Maui. Only time would record the work that Sir Maui had done, not only for the Maori people, but also for the pakeha.

The casket will be taken to Waitara by the Main* Trunk express leaving Wellington on Wednesday afternoon.

VAULT ABOVE WAITARA.

BURIAL OX SUNDAY NEXT. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH. Monday. Upon a high bluff within the enclosure of Manukorihe Pa. overlooking the,town and placid river of Waitara. is the almost compieted vault wh'iqh, on Sunday, will receivc the casket containing the ashes of Sir Maui Pom arc. The vault will ultimately be the base for a monument of Sir Maui aiul another, great Maori leader. Wiremu Kingi. Behir.d the memorial arc the buildings of the pa. To the left is the old cemetery wherein lie so many ancient Maori warriors. On the right, beyond the road, is a slope to tlie sea. In front and below is the river and the town of Waitara. Beyond tlie •rollinrr .•"••res of green stands the stately cone, of Egmont. Upon the arrival of the casket at Waitara on Friday morning, four Maoris, dressed in ma's similar to those worn by their forcfa'J—rs.' will bear the ashes to the pa, where the casket will be placed in a small tent until the final obsequies on Sunday.

The Taranaki-Maoris-arc making preparations for thousands of visitors to the pa. Many have already arrived, 'including parties from the South Island and one family from the Chatham Islands. A supply of food has been collected and includes 5000 eels and 10 tons of potatoes.