Omahu Notes.

Hastings Standard, Issue 468, 4 November 1897, Page 2

Omahu Notes.

[From ouk own Correspondent.]

Death, the grinxharvester, has again been at work in our midst and the old Rangatiras' of the Native race are surely passing away from amougst us. Yesterday the last earthly remains of the well-known and highly respected chief Arona Raurimu, of Obiti, were consigned to their last resting place in the old Maori burial ground at Ohiti. There were a great number of the friends of the deceased at the grave to pay their last respects to their old departed friend. The different hapus round ?bout were well represented and I noticed several well known Europeans, amongst them being Messrs Spencer, Shrimpton, Blake, Taiaroa, Williams of Waikoni, Beamish of the Whana, Macandrew, Campbell, and several others. A larger number of Europeans would have joined the solemn r<irte</e at the grave side but as Ohiti is now so isolated, caused by the destruction of the bridge at Fernhill, and some misunderstanding having arisen about the day of the interment, several who would have been there were absent. The body of the old chief was eneased in % beautiful polished rimu coffin highly decorated with solid silver mountings. A great many wreaths were sent by the friends of the deceased as a last mark of respect. In the absence of an ordained minister of the Church the impressive funeralfe:vice of the Church of England wais read at the grave side by the wellknow Waipatu chief Pene tu U, a neatrelative of Arona's. The whole ceremony was under the able direction of Mr S. Toug, of Hastings. There is a great treat in store for lovers of high class music to-night in Hastings. We of Fernhill and Omahu have often been enthralled by Mr B, Joll's manipulation of the banjo, and ip is worth going miles oo hear Mr W. Kirkpatrick's splendid baritone voice in the rendering of M'Carthy's Widow, Mr and Mrs T. 11, Lowry have left here en route for C'hmichurch, for the Carnival week. We hope that popular owner's colors may .-how up proiniaeutly at the mWticg.