SPECTACULAR MAORI BURIAL

Evening Star, Issue 22952, 9 May 1938, Page 10

SPECTACULAR MAORI BURIAL

FUNERAL OF KING KOROKI’S UNCLE 4,000 MOURNERS PRESENT. BORNE TO CEMETERY BY CANOE [Per United Press Association.] HAMILTON. May 9. The burial of Tumate Mahntu Te Whereowhero. uncle of King Koroki, who died atsKparunwahia on April 29, took place at the Maori burial ground at Tanpiri yesterday, in the presence of 4.000 people. A unique feature of the funeral was that the body was convoyed from Ngaruawahia down the Waikato River to the foot of the burial ground by canoe. Maoris and Europeans from all parts of Auckland province assembled at the Ngaruawahia pa for the funeral. Among those present were the Rt. Horn J. G. Goates and Jnd'.re- F. O. V., Acheson (Native Land Court'). the mayhr of Ngaruawahia (Mr M. R. Eyer), the mayor of Huntlv (Mr ,E. George), the chairman of the Raglan Connlv Council (Mr H. W. Wilson). the Rev. G. L. Lanrenson (acting suoerintendent of the Methodist Maori MissiohVw the officers of the First Composite Mounted Rifles. King Koroki and Princess Te Puea Hefangi were also present. Over 1,500 people assembled in the mnrao for the funeral service.

The body lay in a shelter, surrounded by photographs, mats, and wreaths, while a number of women relatives, attired in black and wealing fronds of greenery on their heads, sat round tho coffin. The coffin was carried by six Maori pallbearers, all wearing mats. It was borne through the pa with a hand leading, and a muffled drum beating in slow time. A group of women! preceded the hand, waving branches of willow, arid expressing their sympathy with cries. Tho coffin was then placed in a large and magnificently carved war rn'une. The widow, Pirihiria Tumate Mahnta. and a friend, Mrs Peter Barton, sat behind the coffin, while the pallbearers, assisted by 20 rowers, paddled into the stream. Two other canoes, with 22 and 14 paddlcrs respectively, took their places on cither side ns the funeral left the pa. end the canoes were propelled ‘ toward Ngarnawahin Point, cries of lamentation being exchanged between the occupants.