DISTINGUISHED MAORI.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 15, 19 January 1931, Page 3

DISTINGUISHED MAORI.

DEATH FOLLOWS ACCIDENT

ONE OF ORAKEI BLOCK OWNERS

Mr. Hotcnc Paul, who died as the result of an accident at Kaiwaka during the Christmas holidays, was a brother of the late Rev. Hauniki Paul, and a descendant of the ancient conquerors of the Tatnaki district. The tall and athletic Hoteiic, an early student of St. Stephen's College, was one of the owners of the Orakei Block, to the sale of which he was always a strong objector, holding that the money should have been held in trust for the natives concerned. It was through his influence and opposition to the sale that the Orakei village for the natives has been retained.

Tin: recent investigation of the title to the Orakei block revealed many interesting details in connection with, the Ngatiwhatua tribal wars under the chief Tuperiri and others. When the Rev. Samuel Marsden made his first visit to the Waitemata, it was Hotene's people who provided canoes and escort for him when he went north to Brigham's Creek and overland to Kaipara, where he met the head chief, Murupaenga.

Hotenc was a member of the Maori contingent which went to England to participate in the jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria. In recent years he had taken an active part in the welfare work of the Akarana Maori Association, and he was responsible for various educative demonstrations arranged. His pride in the history and legends of his people was no less pronounced than was his prowess with old weapons. Hβ was interred with native ceremonial at Rawhiti, Kaipara. He is survived by bis wife and an adult family.