UNCLE OF MAORI KING

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22397, 10 May 1938, Page 7

UNCLE OF MAORI KING

FUNERAL RITES AT TAUPIRI TUMATE MAHOTU TE WHEREOWHERO (PRESS ASSOCIATION TIUB1UI.) HAMILTON, May 9. The burial of Tumate Mahutu Te Whereowhero, uncle of King Koroki, who died at Ngaruawahia on April 29, took place at the Maori burial ground at Taupiri yesterday in the presence of 4000 persons. An unusual feature of the funeral was that the body was conveyed from Ngaruawahia down the Waikato river to the foot of the burial ground by canoe. , „ Maoris and Europeans from all parts of Auckland province assembled at the Ngaruawahia pa for the funeral. Among those present were the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates and Judge F. O. V. Acheson, of the Native Land Court, the Mayor of Ngaruawahia (Mr R: Eyer), the Mayor of Huntly (Mr E. George), the chairman of the Raglan County Council (Mr H. W. Wilson), the Rev. G. L. Laurenson, acting-superintendent of the Methodist Maori Mission, and officers of the Ist Composite Mounted Rifles. King Koroki and Princess Te Puea Herangi were also present. Service in Marae More than 15,000 persons assembled in the marae for the funeral service. The body lay in a shelter surrounded by photographs, mats and wreaths. Women relatives attired in black, and wearing fronds of greenery on their heads, sat round the coffin. The coffin was carried by six Maori pall-bearers, wearing mats, through the' pa, with a band leading and a muffled drum beating slow time. A group of women preceded the band waving branches of willow and expressing their sympathy with cries. The coffin was then placed in a large, magnificently-carved war canoe. The widow, Mrs Pirihiria Tumate Mahuta, and a friend. Mrs Peter Barton, sat behind the coffin, while the pall-bearers, assisted by 20 rowers, paddled into the stream. Two other canoes, with 22 and 14 paddlers respectively, took their places on either side. As the funeral left the pa and the canoes were propelled toward Ngaruawahia Point cries and lamentations were exchanged between the occupants.