MAORIS MOURN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13198, 15 July 1943, Page 3

MAORIS MOURN

DEATH OF,PROMINENT PEOPLE DIOTITI ISLAND RESIDENTS The deaths have occurred lately of four prominent residents of Motiti Island —Mr Jack Ainsley. Mr Pahn Ratapahi. Mrs Raiha Riritahi. and Private Kingi Hekiheki Wikeepa. The people of the island lost a very staunch friend in Dir Jack Ainsley, who died at Whakatane at the age of 45. He was born at Tanranga. being the eldest son of Mr Keppa Ainsley, who now resides at Aongatete. He spent his youth in Tanranga. serving his time as a blacksmith at Dir C. F. Washer’s coach-building works. Later taking to farming pursuits, he became one of the largest growers of maize and knmaras a: Dlotiti. Of a quiet and friendly disposition, he was ever ready to help others. Ho had only recently acquired the large launch Oceanic with the intention of assisting the natives in transporting their produce from Dlotiti to Tanranga. Tangis to his memory were held at Dlotiti and Te Puna, the burial taking place at ancestral grounds at the latter pa. He is survived by his widow, and a son and daughter.

Pahn Ratapahi, a familiar figure in Tanranga, died a week after his son-in-law, Mr J. Ainsley. He was 7 4 years of age and a farmer at Motiti and Whakatane for many years. He was one of the fine old type of Maori whose word was his bond.

An elderly native woman of the Island, Raiha Riritahi, has also died, at the age of 85. She was a cousin to Pahn and lived for many years with her son Mr Ikanui Rihara, at Matapihi..

A recent casualty list included the name of Private Kingi Hekiheki Wikeepa. He was born at Motiti, and left for the Middle East with the Maori Section of the Second Echelon. His brother, W. Wikeepa, who was a well-known horseman in his day, lives at Motiti, while another brother Teddy Wikeepa, Is farming at Matakana. Private Kingi was about 29 years of age and leaves a wife and two children.