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DEATH OF A FAMOUS MAORI CHIEF.

(per press association.)

Invercargill, October 1. Teoni Topi Patuki, the leading chief in this part of the Middle Island, died on Friday night on Ruapuke Island, in the Straits, where he had made his home for many years. He was calculated to be at least 90 years old, as his memory carried back to pre-colonisation time. He was in the great tribal fight at Tuturau, near Mataura, and was said to have shot the invading chief, and so led to, the discomfiture of the northern tribes. ' Topi was born at Waipati, and resided at Kaiapoi up to about 1840. The old man was most friendly to Europeans, and his hospitality was full. On his death bed he enjoined his sons to follow the same course. He and the late Missionary Wholers were fast friends. Ruapuki is the burying place of other famous chiefs, and there Topi will be interred about the end of the week. A large number of Maoris from tbe North are ezpeoted at the tangi.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19001002.2.20

Bibliographic details

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 70453, 2 October 1900, Page 2

Word Count
174

DEATH OF A FAMOUS MAORI CHIEF. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 70453, 2 October 1900, Page 2

DEATH OF A FAMOUS MAORI CHIEF. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XXXXI, Issue 70453, 2 October 1900, Page 2