"HORI TIKI"

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXX, Issue 13640, 13 May 1942, Page 4

"HORI TIKI"

DEATH OF LIEUT. G. GARDINER BURIED NEAR TOBRUK Further news has been received in Auckland concerning the fate of Lieut. George Gardiner, of the Australian Imperial Force. He served in the Great War with the Maori Battalion and subsequently went to live in the Commonwealth, where he became a professional wrestler. A well-known Rugby League player, he left Auckland as vice-captain of the Maori side which toured Australia about 1924. Later, on going to reside there, he wrestled under

the name of Ifori Tiki, and joined up with ths A.I.F. in 19 40. Last year he was reported "missnig, believed a prisoner of war." It has since been established that he was killed in action, and that he was buried on May IS, 1041. at a spot 31 kilometres from Derna, on the road to Tobruk. A son of the late Lieut. Gardiner is a corporal in a Territorial unit at present serving near Auckland. Lieut. Gardiner was born at Matakana Island, being the eldest son of Mr Geo Gardiner, a prominent Maori chief still residing there, and was educated at the Matakana Native School. As a youth he showed much promise as an athlete, and, being of powerful physique, played senior football at the age of 16 for the Matakana Club, later gaining his cap in the Tauranga Rugby representatives, and also for the Bay of Plenty, later joining up with the League code in Auckland. He also earned fame in the boxing arena, taking part in tournaments in this district. The sympathy of his many friends will be extended to his relatives at Matakana.