MAORI CHIEFS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 259, 2 November 1933, Page 15

MAORI CHIEFS.

BURIAL AT ORAKEI.

SOLEMN TRIBAL CEREMONIES

SYMPATHY OF FAKEHAS.

With ancient tribal rites befitting their rank the two departed Maoris, Watene Tautari and Te Hira Pateoro, the Orakei chiefs who died within a few hours of each other, were buried in the Maori cemetery at Orakei yesterday. The two men had been extraordinarily alike all their lives and a series of coincidences had attended them since their birth in the same village. They had been brought up together, been lifelong friends and had died within a few hours of each other. They now lie side by side in the same grave. Before "die ceremony the caskets lay in a marquee in the centre of the village, surrounded by green-bedecked women who endeavoured to comfort the aged widow of Pateoro. An hour before the burial the Tuku ceremony of songs and dances was performed in front of the marquee, and speeches of farewell were made to the departed by leaders of the Maori race. Hymns were sung by a choir of male and female voices, conducted by Paora, a leader of the Orakei Maoris. Ancient Laments.

The sr. Iness of the cortege to the graveeide was intensified by the wailing of the women and the responses of the men. The service over Pateoro was conducted by the Rev. W. Panapa, Anglican Maori minster, while the Rev. Mr. Pere oflic-iated at ,the burial of Tautari. The Rev. Eurera Te Tulii represented the Methodist Church, which has followers in the village. Further hymns were sung at the graveside, and an ancient tribal lament which recited the careers of the dead men was most I moving. The main address of farewell was given by Mr. George Graham, who said that the passing of these two great men signified the breaking of the la*t link with the old pioneer days, for they had seen the arrival of Governor Hobson and the growth of the city of Auckland. It was therefore appropriate that Europeans should gather with the Maoris, not unmindful of the duty they owed to the race. Among the mourners was the newlyelected Maori "king," Koroki te Wlierowliero, and his uncle, Ilaunui Tawhiao, a son of the former "king." The latter addressed the gathering. Two Thousand Europeans. After the symbolic throwing of the green sprays of leaves into the open grave, the women returned to the

widow of Pateoro, who had remained seated in the marquee during the burial service. There the mourners performed the Tangi Taurua, or second wailing. There were probably over 2000 Europeans who attended the funeral, and the Maoris expressed themselves as gratified at the sympathy shown. An act of kindness by residents near the pa was also much appreciated. When it was seen that,rain was likely to fail during the ceremony, residents arranged for a second marquee to be erected in the pa for the convenience of visiting natives. Many telegrams and letters of sympathy from all parts of the Dominion have been received, including one from Sir Apirana Ngata.