4000 Mourn Mrs Ratahi

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 18

4000 Mourn Mrs Ratahi

(N.Z. Press Association) WANGANUI, April 25. With massed bands, choirs and almost 4000 mourners at the funeral, the late president of the Ratana Church, Mrs Puhi-o-Aotea Ratahi, was buried in the family cemetery at Ratana Pa on Saturday. Three services were held—on the marae, inside the Ratana temple and at the graveside in the Piki Te Ora cemetery. The funeral lasted more than 2} hours and, the coffin was attended by 24-pall-bearers throughout. The coffin was carried inside the temple, where for more than 20 years all others have remained outside. The funeral began with a

tape recording of the last public speech made by Mrs Ratahi, at the Easter convention of he Ratana Youth Movement in Tauranga. The recording was broadcast over the loudspeaker system at the pa. Ratana leaders led the service on the marae, and the eulogy was delivered by a representative of the National Council of Churches, the Rev. G. Laurenson. At the graveside, the Rev. H. C. Edmonds, vice-presi-dent of the church, officiated. He was assisted by the Rev.

King! Ihaka, representing the Church of England. Speakers who their respects to the memory of Mrs Ratahi and her work for Maoridom included the Mayor of Wanganui (Mr R. P. And rews), Colonel P. Awatere, a former commander of the Maori Battalion, and representatives of the Government, the Labour Party and local bodies. The tangi feast afterwards took five sittings in the main accommodation building, to feed all the visitors. It continued until late at night.