OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 100, 22 January 1940, Page 9

OBITUARY

Mr. Wiremu Keepa The death at Waikawa Pa last week of Mr. ’Wiremu King! Keepa, aged 83, removes from the district one of the few remaining elders of the Maori race, states a Press Association message from Blenheim. He was highly respected aud well known, particularly iu the Picton and Sounds areas. He had an interesting connexion with famous tribes in the North Island, being a direct descendant of the well-known chief of Manukorihi, a sub-tribe of the Ataiawa of Waitara, in the Taranaki district, after whom he wag named.

It is believed among the Natives that this chief was more or less responsible for much bloodshed in connexion with a land deal between his tribe and the New Zealand Land-Company. It is stated that Wiremu Kingi te Rangitaake’s refusal to sell an area of 600 acres of land through Mr. F. A. Carrington, surveyor to the New Zealand Land Company, for the purpose of setting up a capital town for the Taranaki Province in 1846, was the cause of the trouble 10 years later when Europeans proceeded to settle 600 inhabitants intended for the capital of Taranaki, which was then known to them as Raleigh. There then began an almost continuous feud between the Natives and the Europeans. In March, 1860, Wiremu Kingi te Raugitaake, who refused witli the utmost determination to allow the land to be sold, tired the first shot, and it was during the early stages of these wars that the late chief’s father was killed.

Mr. Wiremu Kingi Keepa was well versed in Maori lore, and his knowledge of Maori oratory was outstanding. He leaves a family of two.

Mr. P. H. Mason

The death of Mr. Percy Herbert Mason, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Post and Telegraph Department, occurred suddenly last week. Mr. Mason, who was in his 50th year, was a widely known and popular engineer. He combined admirable personal qualities with a keen devotion to his profession, aud during the 37 years of his service in the Post and Telegraph Department acquired a wealth of knowledge of the intricate Problems connected with communication engineering. In the varied spheres of engineering encountered in ■the Post and Telegraph Department Mr. Mason displayed marked versatility. He was the department’s specialist in certain branches of engineering, and one of tlie most recent successful works on which he was engaged was tlie repair of the 4-core telephone cable in Cook Strait, a work which proved most difficult and arduous. Mr. Mason began his official career in Whangaroa iu 1903, and after serving successively in a number of provincial towns in the Auckland district he was appointed to the engineering branch, General Post Office, in 1915. His capabilities earned him promotion later to -engineering positions in Auckland, Gisborne, Dunedin and the General Post Office and in 1937 he was appointed District Engineer in Auckland, a position which he relinquished early last year upon his appointment as Deputy Chief Engineer, General Post Office. Mr. Mason took an active part m many engineering welfare and social organizations. He was honorary secretary and treasurer for New Zealand of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, of which he was also an associate member; a member of the New Zealand Institution of Engineers; and a vice president of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Engineers’ Institute. He was also a past President of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Officers’ Guild. At the time of his death, Mr. Mason was the department’s representative on the Electrical Regulations Advisory Committee. During his leisure hours, Mr. Mason was interested in various sporting activities, being a keen bowler and golfer. He was also interested in Masonic activities and was a member of Lodge Island Bay, No. 243. Mr. Mason is survived by bis wife, three daughters and one son.

Mr. W. C. Loudon

The death occurred suddenly at Palmerston North on Thursday of Mr. W. C. Loudon, of the staff of the Union Bank of Australia, says a “Dominion” Special Service message. Mr. Loudon had been on the Palmerston North staff of the bank for over 20 years and was a wellknown and respected figure in the business community. He was a great reader, covering all classes of literature. He is survived by his widow, the only daughter of the late Mr. Hugh Gillies, and three sons.