“TE KOOTI TRAIL”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 216, 26 August 1927, Page 4

“TE KOOTI TRAIL”

ROUGH-RIDING MAORI INJURED.

Whakatans, Aug. 26. A rather serious accident occurred

in the White Pine Bush during the filming of the “Te Kooti Trail” picture, resulting m Paoi Roia, a young rough riding film actor, being admitted in the hospital in au unconscious condition, through being thrown from his horse, which fell on him. With 30 other riders Paoi was negotiating a log-strewn piece of country, when he collided with two other horsemen. All three were thrown but the others escaped with minor injuries. The accident was probably the result of the natives taking risks to outdo the American rough-riders.

A considerable amount of interest has been created through the arrival at Whakatane from the Urewera country of the well-known chief, Te Pairi Oterangi, who is the living image of the redoubtable Te Kooti, witlg his fierce, piercing eyes and pointed black beard. The old chief is one of the few real old time Rangitiras left in the country, and the fact that he was going to take part in a film caused considerable trouble among the elders of his tribe, who look upon these things as “child’s play’ ’and not befitting a man of his rank and age. Four meetings were held up at Waimana and strenuous efforts were made to influence the old man away from the idea of appearing in the film, but like a true Rangatira his only answer to the elders of the tribe was: I ‘l have given my word to the pakehas—l must go.” Te Pairi Oterangi is 72 years of age, and is as active and nimble as a man of 50. Strangely enough he followed Te iTooti as a boy of 12 carrying ammunition, and he knows Te Kooti’s every mannerism and habit, and at a rehearsal startled the onlookers with his magnificent acting. He is also the nephew of Te Whiu, Te Kooti’s second in command and greatest friend, who was so like him in appearance that he was known as Te Kooti’s double.