WARRIOR’S LAST REST

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 8 January 1930, Page 8

WARRIOR’S LAST REST

BURLED WITH BELONGINGS,

MAORI FUNERAL RITES

On a high hill top, overlooking the old Kaiw-haike pa, the late Hamiora Hakopa- was laid to rest on Sunday (reports the “Wanganui Chronicle”). The last sad rites were performed according to native custom, and one who had been beloved by Maori and 1 European alike was gathered to the Land of his Fathers mid the rain oi an unseasonal summer’s* day. Brawn from tribes near at hand and from others further afield, there was a largo throng at the pa to pay a last tribute to a departed warrior, whose voice had been carried to the four corners of the Land of the Long White Cloud and across the Tasman to Australia, even l as far south as the snow and ice of the Antarctic. It was as if a scene had been cut from . out the past. The pa resembled those of other days when tribal mourning was in progress. The casket was covered with a mat. the* ensign lending modern note, and there were several wreaths which- reflected European sympathy. One was a floral representation of the microphone of the Radio Broadcasting Company’s 2YA studio, a token of the love and respect from the Maori Pageant party. In all other respects, however, the setting was as of yore. There were the wailing women with green leaves in their.hair; the arrivals, at intervals, of visitors and the native welcomes accorded 1 each. Regard less of the weather the mourners of the tribe remained with their precious charge until the appointed hour should strike to signal -his removal to a- last resting place on, a pinnacle above, In an adjoining- meeting house were gathered the chiefs of the tribe, some from up-river settlements, others_ from the Rataua movement. The father of the departed warrior sat by himself, alone in. liis grief. A sad meeting it was. Most of the assembled chiefs were aged men. The warrior called to His- Fathers had been young and there was something infinitely sad in the way these aged leaders, their features revealing their burden of grief, came, on© by one, to present their tributes to the orator whose voice had been loved so- much, but would be heard no more, to a leader whose wise thoughts and counsels- would no longer be available to them in their deliberations for the good of the race. Among those of the 2YA party present were Messrs R. M. Ritchie and O. Kitson. They were specially privileged visitors and were accorded a tribal welcome. The Rev. Father Vi baud carried out a- Catholic service at the pa, the natives joining in the responses wjtn deep devotion. The hymn “Nearer My God to Thee” was sung, and a lorry, beautifully festooned with: greenery, carried the remains to the open grave When the coffin was lowered the deceased’s belongings. in accordance with Maori custom, were buried also, and a sprinkling of earth from far away European battlefields was thrown into the grave.

Back at the pa the members of the tribe and the visitors gathered at the festive board in time-honoured Maori custom and there an opportunity was afforded the pakehas present to speak. Mr. R. M- Ritchie referred to the bond of friendship which had existed between the late Mr. Hakopa. and the Broadcasting Company and went over, in detail, the events which led to the .staging of t.hc pageant. He expressed deep sympathy with the relatives of the departed orator, who had been beloved bv them all and known to thousands of listeners. “Mi-. r>. Kitson spoke in a similar strain and the remarks of both ‘ were interpreted by Mr. A. Takarangi. With the exception of the Upokongaro schoolmaster and the priest, Messrs Ritchie and Kitson were the only Europeans present at the gathering.