DOUBLE FUNERAL

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4528, 7 April 1934, Page 5

DOUBLE FUNERAL

MAORI CHIEF AND CHIEFTAINESS On Thursday afternoon at the Pa, Mangapehi, before a very large gathering of the Maori tribes and European friends, the bodies of Wehi Te Ringitanga and that of his Piece, Mrs. Waiti Taunaha Pai, wife of Mr. Taunaha Pai, of Mangere, Onehunga, were given full Maori tribal rites and laid in their last resting place on the hill behind the Pa. The service was conducted by the Rev. W. N. Panapa, of Auckland, who gave his address in Maori and English. The text was: “Though dead he speaketh.” The mighty totara and the sapling has fallen in the Nehe Nehenui of the tribes Ngati RereAhu and Maniapoto. Speaking on behalf of the “King” and the tribes assembled, he extended greetings to the European friends who were present and had been very close friends of the late chief. - He could not find a more fitting epitaph than the words of his text, “Though dead he speaketh.”

During the afternoon speeches in Maori were made by several of the principles, amo'ng whom were noted Haunui (the “King’s” uncle), Taite Te Tomo, M.P., Tapu, T. Waeroa, Pouaka, Rev. Panapa, Taunaha Pai, Mesdames Waeroa and Houtupu Ngatoha. Among the chief mourners were “King” Koroki Mahutu and his suite and his uncle, Koroki Haunua, Taite Te Tomo, M.P., Raraka (brother of deceased), Piata and Mihi (sisters), Pouaka Wehi and Kehu Wehi (sons), Mesdames Mahuri, Davey and Waeroa (daughters). There was also a large number of European friends, among whom were noted Messrs. H. P. Burns and H. Hayes, representing Messrs. Ellis and Burnand, Mr. J. B. Halcombe, representing the Mangapehi Trading Company, Messrs. J. Me Ewan and D. P. Smith, representing the Pdangapehi School Committee, Misses Giddy, Beckett and Douglas, representing the teachers and scholars respectively.

There was a large profusion of floral tributes, telegrams and expressions of deep sympathy received from all parts of the province. A party of eighteen accompanied the cortege from Auckland. Expressions of regret by telegram fy’om Messrs. Ellis and Burnand, read as follows: “The company desire -to express to you and your family and all the NgatiRere Ahu tribe their sincere regret at the passing of Wehi Te Ringitanga, who had always been so closely associated with the members of their company and had been for more than thirty years the staunch friend and supporter of the company. —H. Valder, chairman; A. B. Collin, managing director.”

Pouaka Te Ringitanga, speaking on behalf of the tribes, returned sincere thanks for the many tributes received, both floral and verbal, particularly to Messrs. Valder and Collin and the many pakeha friends.