MR PARATA'S FUNERAL

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3025, 12 March 1917, Page 4

MR PARATA'S FUNERAL

A GRAVESIDE SENSATION

By Telegraph-Press Association. Dunedin, Maroh 10. The funeral of tho lata Mr. Tame Parata took place to-day at Puketeraki. A very large crowd of people- was present, ' including: many visiting duels, who wero paying their last respects to the deceased, who was always greatly esteemed, both in his public awl private lifo. Dr. Pouiare represented the Ministry. . . ~ A sonsation was caused prior to Uio commencement of tho burial service by the sudden death of the undertaker, Mr. .las. Courloy. from a heart attack, to which ho had been subject.

A largo number of Natives from various parts of Now Zealand attended tho tangi. Speeches at theso ceremonies often reach to lofty heights of oratory. Chieftain Henaro Maire, address-; ing tho dead chief and those around him, said: "Tho great pillar of our houso is broken asunder. Our shelter from tho blast and cold is gone. What can wo do but bow down to. tho inovitablo hand of Death? Go, oh friend, go by tho paths trodden by your illustrious dead. Go, old sire, by the morning tide, and wo will follow by the evening tide." Kpiha Maulca, with hands trembling with grieT, said: "Listen, ye peoples! This is a day of mourning. Low our heads are bent with grief. Tho great tree of tho forest has fallen, and the sound reaches afar off, even beyond tho distant horizon." (This is in reference to the news having reached London, as indicated by the cablegram received from Sir Joseph AViircl expressing his sorrow and sympathy.)