NOTED CHIEF PASSES

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4813, 21 July 1939, Page 5

NOTED CHIEF PASSES

MR. HARRY HETET ' LINK WITH EARLY DAYS. OPENING UP OF KING COUNTRY. LEADING PART IN TRIBAL AFFAIRS. The death occurred in Te Kuiti yesterday of Mr. Henare Matengaro Hetet, or as he was known to his wide circle of European friends, Mr. Harry Hetet. He was 83 years of age and played a prominent part in the making of the history of the King Country. Up until 18 months ago he led

a very active life. The deceased was the youngest son of the original Hetet family, well known throughout the King Country and Waikato districts. Since the death of his elder brothers and other tribal elders several years ago, he had been recognised as the elder chief of the Maniapoto tribe.

His father was a European, the captain, and owner of a trading vessel, v/ho came out first in 1842 to this area. He was one of those instrumental in establishing the Mission School at Mokau, where the Hetet family were educated. After settling at Mokau he then went to Te Kopua, near Pirongia where, with seed brought out for him from England, he instructed the Maori chiefs in the cultivation of grain and established a flour mill. He was the father of three sons and a daughter, and Mr. Harry Hetet, the youngest, was the last of them to survive.

Through his mother he was closely related to all the leading families in the King Country. On account of his standing in the tribe he as a youngman enjoyed the confidence of the old time chiefs of the Maniapoto tribe. With the late Mr. John Ormsby and his elder brother, the late Mr. John Taonui Hetet, he acted as go-between with the Government and Wahanui, Toanui and other chiefs of the early King Country. He took a leading part in all tribal affairs and when the late Sir James Carroll was Native Minister his advice was often sought in connection with important questions affecting the King Country.

He was one of the last remaining links among the Maoris with such important events as the opening of the Main Trunk line through the King Country and the establishment of the Otorohanga and Te Kuiti townships. On several occasions he represented the Maniapoto tribe at various important native gatherings in other parts of New Zealand. During his long life he had farmed both in the Otorohanga and Te Kuiti districts. He was also a contractor in the transport of stores and goods during the construction of the Main Trunk line through the King Country and was for a number of years in business in Te Kuiti. He retained a keen interest in all current affairs of the tribe right up to the end. A large number of tribal representatives are expected to arrive at the Te Kuiti Pa during the next two days to pay their respects to the deceased chief. The funeral will take place at the Maniapoto tribal cemetery at Te Kuiti Pa on Sunday afternoon. The late M. Hetet leaves a family of one son and four daughters—Mr. Tutata (Duke) Hetet, of Te Kuiti, Mrs. Taite te Tomo, of Halcombe, widow of the former member of Parliament, Mrs. C. H. Holland, of Te Kuiti. Mrs. M. Keepa, of Taumarunui, and Mrs. M. R. Jones, of Hawera. He is survived by Mrs. Hetet.