ATIAWA TRIBE

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 19972, 5 July 1930, Page 17

ATIAWA TRIBE

PROPHECY FULFILLED. EXTRAORDINARY SERIES OF DEATHS. —— | (PBE3S ASSOCIATION TBUSOBAM.) ' NEW PLYMOUTH, July 4. An extraordinary coincidence qf deaths among leading Maoris of the Atiawa tribe has occurred in North Taranaki in the nature of the fulfilment of a prediction made by a well-known j chief of high rank two years ago. j When the findings were announced ot 1 the Commission enquiring into the matter of compensation for the confiscation of Maori land in the past, and it was proposed that the Atiawas be given £SOOO annually for all time, Rangi Watene (Watson), one of the bestknown Maoris in the district, vigorously opposed the acceptance of money, on the grounds that money could not atone for the blood of his forefathers. On several occasions he warned his people that if money was accepted disaster would befall the Atiawas, and ft. some time in the future six leaders of the tribe would all die within the space of a half-moon. Early in November, 1927, Watene died and the tangi lasted many days. On Saturday, June 21st last, Jack Taielci, a man of high rank in the Atiawas, died at Waipapa, north of Waitara. On the following Tuesday the death occurred in New Plymouth Hospital of Hoani (Jack Taylor), the best-known Atiawa Chief in the Waitara district. On June 30th" came news of the death in California of Sir Maui Poraare, a famous Atiawa, born at Urenui, north of Waitara, and on Wednesday of this week Ruhia (Mr? White), a Maori woman of high rank, died at Manukorihi pa, in Waitara. This morning Katherine Koenan, a grand-niece of the famous warrior, Te Rauparaha, and a close blood relative of Sir Maul Pomare, passed away at the age of 95 years in the pa between Waitara and New Plymotuh. Taking the half moon as fourteen days, today would be the finish of the half moon. Siritee the death of Taieki late this afternoon news was received of the death, near Bell Block factory, of a woman, Pareiri, making the sixth death of a prominent Atiawa within a short period. A . The Rev. K. Hadfleld, -who has been working amongst the Maoris for a long time, says he has never experienced such a phenomenal number of notable deaths amongst Maoris in so short a time.