SIR MAUI POMARE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20021, 1 September 1930, Page 13

SIR MAUI POMARE.

FUNERAL CEREMONIES, * . / '• A - MEMORABLE SCENE. (PBESB ASSOCIATION TELEGBAV.) NEW PLYMOUTH, August 31. The ashes of Sir Maui Pomare were committed to the vault at Manukorihi pa to-day in the presence of a great gathering of Maoris. It was an unforgettable scene and a feature was the wonderful singing and poi dancing of Maoris. To Kapinga extended a welcome to the official party, greeted the ashes and Lady Pomare, and received the representative of the Governor-General (Lieutenant T. L. Elworthy). - The Hon. 0. Nelson and daughters, representing Samoa, also arrived, and were typically; greeted as cousins. They brought to the pa presents of tapa silken mats made from the fibre of island trees and they expressed the Samoans' grief and sympathy' in their own form. In the afternoon the last ceremony was performed. The casket, was; borne into the open to the accompaniment of wailing and moaning. It was placed in the centre and an Anglican service taken in Maori. Most, of the Maoris joined in the singing of a hymn and the sound was that of a huge organ, gloriously sweet. Canon K. Karaka led the service and it was taken up by Archdeacon G. L. Gavin i and the Rev. K. T. Haddon. Others of the clergy taking part were Archdeacon H. Raiti, Canon Williams, and the Rev. K. Hadfield. Other religious denominations were also repre-. sented. Memorable Scene. The scene during the service with the hundreds of people and the soft chanting of the. mourners, was unforgettable. One Wanganui ; party of singers formed a wonderful choir to lead the singing.

The Hon. J. G. Coates addressed the gathering. "This 1 is an occasion'.when we can express our last thoughts of, and respects to, a-man held in high esteem, and our close affection, first, for his service to his country, to the

Maori people, and to the pakeha," he said. "This is 'an occasion when I can ■; remember the man himself, his courte- . ous manner, and his education, - in! Christianity which proves the stepping stone to the highest ideal in' human life. , "Those intimately acquainted with him . remember his many acts of kindness, the many thoughts from the mind, of a philosopher derived from stimulating books he had'lead and 'his university life. Those in Taranaki understand that the mighty totara has fallen with a sound that will reach:to everypart of New Zeialand, and itvwill reach further than'; that for we know of-the respect paid and the attention given him when he visited America recently in the hope that the trip would help him-back-to health again.. "In his loss has gone the help of the stalwart-man whose life was given l to help the Maori and■ the pakeha people. His name will live." Bearers of the casket moved slowly forward, the choir and mourners" behind ; to form the cortege. - It was led by Tan Henare in front o£ the casket, which was' bome -by Sir Apirana Ngata and Mr McDonald, M.P.- (Southern Maori). At the head were the Hon. J. G. Coates and :Mr K. S.. Williams, M.P. (East Coast). Immediately behind followed Lady Pomare, ; her daughter,-* and -two sons. The wailing and chanting' increased ? in volume as the vault was reached. The committal of the ashes to the vault was read with solemn state. The casket was taken into the vault and mats and wreaths laid on the roof. There still.remained for a-long-time the low murmur of .grief from-.the older 'wahihes. •'' Thousands of people from every part of the province thronged the pa, and . speechmakingcontinued : all. day:: to- ' day.