DEATH OF MAORI CHIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 136, 13 June 1927, Page 9

DEATH OF MAORI CHIEF

AM HONOURABLE CAREER

■A SOUTHERN LEADER

(Special to "The Evening Post.' 1) ■ CHEISTCHTJECH, This Day. The death occurred , at Bapaki* on Saturday■«£ the venerable Maori chief Hem Tikao. The ]ate chief some three years ago had a stroke, and since that time was confined to his bed. Ho was a patient sufferer, and throughout was jovial and pleasant. Three day 3 ago he became worse, and members of his family were summoned to his side, ana they wero'present at the time of his death The late Hon. Tikao, who was recognised as chief of the Eapaki and Port Levy Maoris, was'borri at' Tikao Bay, wainui, Akaroa, 77; years ago. He was a son of Tamate Tikab, who was the last chief of the Akaroa Maoris, and a nephew of John Tikao, one of the chieftains who signed the Ngaitahu Land ■transfer, by which nearly the whole oX Canterbury was; ceded to the British He resided at Akaroa for 31 years, when lie married Hana Toko Horomona (Solomon), and then went to reside at Port Levy. When the -children attained school age the Tikao family moved to Kapaki to enable the children to attend the Eapaki School. He was descended from the Ngati-Irakehu, NgatiHinokura; Ngati-Kahukura, Ngati-Tua-huriri, Ngati-Wheke, and various other tribes. Being the direct descendant of these tribes, and tho fact that there are no •ther direct descendants in his family, he had tlie largest share in tho Ngaitahu land claim at present under consideration.-• >Hqni Tikao was' undoubtedly one of the biggest authorities on Maori affairs in New, Zealand, especially in the South Island. In his younger days he travelled extensively in New Zealand, and held the confidence of the Government attdthe Maori people alike. He took the greatest interest in polities, especially where Maori affairs were concerned, and was chosen by his people and accepted by the Government as chairman of the Kotahi Tangi, a body of Maori.representatives whose aim it waa to .bring about friendship between the Worth'lsland . and South Island Maoris. In the early days he was appointed advisor of the Mahunui Coun-i-il, which dealt with the Government in regard to Maori affairs.

Seme idea of the esteem in whicli tlie late Mr. Tikao was held may be judged by the fact .that he was appointed to represent. the. Maori* of New Zealand at the opening, of the. Federal-Parlia-n-.ent.in Melbourne in 1901 by the present King and Queen. Unfortunately a sudden illness prevented his attendance. He was later, presented to the King and Queen when, as Duke and Duchess of York, they.visited Lyttelton. The late W>.. Tikap's wife predeceased him three.years ago.. .

A large ,gathering of Maoris is expected at the tangi. Maori representatives. from ; all pver New Zealand will be flocking, to Rapaki. during the next two days to.attend.the tangi. In.ac-cordanee-withthe wish of deceased and his family,.,the body will not be kept any longer than is necessary to permit relatives and representatives to arrive from the North Island.

It was stated this morning by a member of the family of the late Hone Tare Tikao, chief oi the Ngati Irnkohu tribe, which resides in the- Akaroa and Little, River., districts, that an effort will be made to claim the body of the late chief for transfer to;Akaroa for burial. The matter will probably be discussed at a meeting'of the Maoris to be held tonight or to-morrow. It was stated that the family will object to the transfer, as it is their wish that the body shall be laid beside the late chief's wife, who is buried at Rapaki. :.-<■.