MAORI PRINCESS PASSES

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 56, 7 March 1930, Page 13

MAORI PRINCESS PASSES

The death was announced recently at Leigh, in her 100 th year, of Princess Rahui To-'KMj- one of the most notable figures among the Maoris in Auckland Province. The only daughter of the great chief Te Eiri, who owned all the land along the coast from Takapuna to Mangawai, the late Princess herself was at one time owner of Little Barrier Island, which was taken from her by the Government. It is claimed that on one occasion she swam 24 miles from the mainland to the island. On another occasion Rahui and her husband, Tenetahi Brown, set out in a small boat, which capsized, but she successfully. swa.ni the remainder of the distance, helping her husband. Finally a number of soldiers were sent to take her off the island =on the steamer Hinemoa, which brought her to Leigh. Eighteen years later she came to agreement with the Government regarding the ownership of the Little Barrier. Later Rahui and her husband were wrecked off the Great Barrier in their cutter Rangitira, and she again showed her brovery and prowess in swimming and brought her husband ashore. For the past ten years she was confined to her bed, and for most of that time was blind. She is survived by two daughters and three sons. Her funeral was the largest seen in tho district, and was attended by European and Natives. The East Girls' College "Old Girls' Day" will be held at the college tomorrow, wet or fine. The annual meeting of the association will be held in the evening. Daughters and sisters oE airmen at Cranwell Aerodrome, Lincolnshire, have formed themselves into a squadron of Air Girls.