A REMARKABLE FUNERAL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6875, 13 March 1883, Page 5

A REMARKABLE FUNERAL.

[By TBiEGiurH/J (VitOH & COBBIBPONDBHT ) OAMBBIDOE, Masoii 12. Yesterday, Cambridge rWaikato) witnessed a sad jet gratifying testimony of respect to the memory of an estimable woman, Mrs Wilsou, wife of Major Wilson, Perhaps never before in New Zealand have the remains of any lodjr been boras to their last resting-place with so muoh honour and regard, attends by so numerous and representative a body of both raow. Some friends travelled from Auckland (a hundred -lies), and large numbers cams from ten to twenty miles

distant to be'pretent, There were *t least sixty carriages and over a hundred horsemeni and altogether about one thousand pewonj followed. JHj« fattend service «m conducted jointly by Archdeacon Willis and the Bev Wiremu ttomar e, in Knglish and Maori* and was reverently joined in by all present, Included in the assemblage were Colonel Lyon, Mr Jobn Sheehan, M.H.8., »r Butler, &M. 0., Judge Puckey.'leNgakeu (chief of the Kawhia, who bud eame thin lowg journey expressly, Mtd who it related to Mrs Wilson, and it probably the most influential chief In the Waiketo) 1 Messrs J. Laishtey, solicitor, Auckland IW. Wadicgtont B.J.Duocbd, J.P., and many other well known colonist*. There were large number* of Maori women, clothed in mourning, wearing green leaves, and farming a very picturesque portion of the procession. All oonduoted themselves with the utmoit decorum. Te Ngakau alio was remarkable by hi* head dross, which eoaiutcd of a profuiion of black huia feathers. In the Church of Kngland, at the morning service, Arohdeaoon Willie preached an appropriate lermon, referring in eloquent term* to the serious loss Cambridge and Waikato generally had sustained. Mr* Wilson, he laid, had been foremost for yeare pait in good worki, whether of a religious or benevolent character, and was well worthy of imitation. For three dayslast week nearly all the shops were partially closed, and flags were hoisted half-mast high. Chief Judge M'Donald, who presided in the Native Land Court here, paid a high tribute to the eharaoter of the doooasod lady, testifying to her important services in tho past towards the pacification of the country. He then adjourned the Court as a mark of respect to her memory. Over 200 Ngatimarima Maoris have started from Taranakt for Cambridge to hold the ousternary tangi over their relative and friend. The event is one of considerable jpoblio importance to the Native people, and, it is hoped, will be deemed of interest to colonists generally in consequence.