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Korimako, Issue 13, 15 March 1883, Page 2 (Supplement)

[TRANSLATION.] We send to Te Korimako this notification relative to the death of Te Tirarau Kukupa. Friend, publish the account in Maori and in English, so that both races may see the record of his death. This is the statement: On the 16th of Dec., 1882, the Ngapuhis came to see him. The following were the chiefs of the party:—Hare Hongihika, Maihi Kawiti, Kerei Mangonui, Kingi Hori Kira, Hemi Tupe, Biwhi Tete, Hoani Mohi Tawhai, Wi Teete, Pekama Te Paekoraha, Pene Tauwi, of Ngatirangi, and all their people. On the 18th, the Ngapuhis returned to their settlements. On the 19th, at 20 minutes past ten o'clock, he died. On the 19th, he bid farewell to his people, saying, u 0 my people, farewell! 1, Be kind to men generally. 2. Hold fast to God and Christianity. 3. Be well disposed towards the Europeans, and carefully adjust all differences between you. 4. Let all troubles between the races emanate from the Europeans. 5. After my decease, do not presume to interfere in respect to the action of the Waitangi committee. Let the committee's proceedings be untramelled by you." The first point,

namely, "0 my people," &c., is advice to his own people, the people under his influence. 2nd word, " Hold fast," &c.: this refers to the fact that for many years Christian ministers resided on the "Wairoa river ; but he (Te Tirarau) did not embrace the truths of religion up to the time of his last illness, and then he was baptised, and called Ahapa Tirarau Kukupa. 3rd point, "Be well disposed," refers to the time when Europeans first came into contact with him [Te Tirarau], he never had any quarrel with them even up to the time of his death, and that the Europeans and himself always amicably arranged their differences. 4th point, "Let all troubles," &c., refers to his counsel respecting the conduct of his own people, after his departure, in his own two places, namely, Te Wairoa and Whangarei. sth point, namely, "After my decease," &c., refers to the trouble which arose at Whangarei relating to the Road Board at Omaunu, the arrangement of which difficulty was entrusted to the committee of Waitangi by the whole of the people.

These were the concluding remarks of Te Tirarau to his people, and his farewell to them. These are the two great treasures resigned by him [Te Tirarau] to his people, namely, affection and sorrow, —affection on account of the many good qualities he possessed, aiid sorrow on account of his personal presence being no longer visible to his people. He was a man of influence among his own people and on his own lands, and also among the Pakehas. They [the Europeans] will hear, and will be grieved, on account of his death; and they will endorse these utterances, for he was one of the old school. His sentiments and

ways were in accordance with old usuages; and he was a descendant of powerful ancestors, who commanded armies and pressed on deeds of bravery in the Maori times. You Europeans, perhaps, have heard of the bravery of his elder brother, Te Ihi, related throughout the Island. That man [Te Ihi] was noted for two things, namely, his bravery, and swiftness of foot. The proverb is still in existence—" The canoe was a net, and the man was Te Ihi." This proverb refers to swiftness and bravery. Te Tirarua was also a brave man in the earlier times, until law was introduced. He was a peaceable man, and his work towards the Europeans during his life time was that of benevolence. He was an aged man, his years extending to 94 years. At the massacre of the " Boyd," at Whangaroa, he and his father, Kukupa, went thither to get some powder, at Whangaroa, in the year 1809, and he was at that time grown up. The people of this Chief are, the Parawhau, the !N"gatirehia, and the sub-tribes of these peoples.

Friend, Te Korimako, Editor, quickly proclaim these sentiments, so that all the tribes may speedily be made acquainted in respect to his demise. (Signed) Taurau Kukupa. E. M. Mokoare. I Wereta Pou. Rata Tiakiriri. Ko Ihaka te kai-tuhi, "Wharekohe, Te Wairoa, Hanuere 10th, 1883.