Gang files past grave

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34045, 8 January 1976, Page 1

Gang files past grave

CV Z Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH. January 7. About 30 members of North Island Mongrel Mob silently watched as their comrade. Daniel Taniora Houpapa. shot during a clash with the police on Sunday, was buried at Taumarunui today. After a short but dignified ceremony conducted by an Apostolic Church minister, the Rev. David Te Whare. of Otorohanga. the body was laid to rest in a tribal cemetery- not far from the Hiakaituneka Pa where the body had been lying in state since Tuesday. A crowd of about 300 paid a last tribute to the 17-year-old Taumarunui youth. Mongrel Mob members acted as

; pallbearers to carry the •coffin from the marae to the hearse and before the grave was covered they filed past [■ in quiet tribute. ] I No policemen were present .land before the church ser--11 vice began the Mongrels lay ‘{about in groups in any shade t! they could find from the >; blazing sun. Mr Te Whare said in his j \ homily that it was particularly sad to see a youth i who bore such a respected jlname. killed in such circumstances. His grandfather and . his great-uncle had both flbeen champion New Zealand s j axemen and were held in .[high esteem. »i Mr Te Whare felt society eiwas letting down the young ? I neopl e today. "What security are they i offered? Do they feel wanted, * do they have the need to be - loved, to be secure? - “They feel under pressure and the challenge we face today from this incident is how do we release that pressure for them? I hope that this incident will drive us to find an answer.” i The father of the dead boy, Mr Sonny Houpapa, in ean oration over the coffin as -lit lay in the open grave, 1-! spoke to the young people. e Like sheep Human beings were like ■ sheep, he said. The sheep at I shearing time had its own s ideas and wanted to go one I way, despite efforts to steer e it in a certain direction. “I am not trying to judge and condemn the Mongrel ‘■ •rang, but your life is in your own hands.” he told mem- ’• bers. “If you go the wrong way I g you pay for the con-i sequences, but the pain is for; _ the parents and the rela-l "fives. “You might be getting these ideas from TV or comsjics but there is no way for our young Maori people to : hold their respect without s‘coming back to their Maori--s;tanga.” 5j To follow blindly the 8 direction of European gang pleaders was wrong. “Clay 81 will not stick to iron — ’ I when the sun comes out it 1 ' falls off.” he said. !i Because one member had! ‘ done wrong there could be I total condemnation of the! .whole group. Mr Houpana ' said, in paving tribute to the ; way the Mongrel Mob mem-' , lhers had staved with him toj share his grief.