Wi Tako’s Funeral.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 139, 21 November 1887, Page 2

Wi Tako’s Funeral.

* , PROBABLY THE LARGEST IN THE . COLONY. THE FEAST TO COST £6OO. (Per Press Association.) hYEi.LixOTON, Nov 20. Tho funeral of tho late Hon Wi Tako Ngutata, who died a few days ago, took . place tiiis afternoon, and was the largest over seen hi tins district, and probably in the Colony. The weather was tine. At 2 o’clock a special train, convoying tho Wellington Naval Artillery, the U battery of Artillery, and tho first battalion of Wellington Itiilo volunteers left for Potono, where the volunteers disembarked, and were joined by tho Petone Nuvals and tho Hero tat tnga Cavalry. Tho Government launch EIFu Baliance took over .30 of tho permanent force, an l those comprised tiie living party. At 2.30 p.m. tho ordinary passenger train left town ami took over 0000 people. Besides this, several of tins harbor boats took passengers over to the beach, and the road was largely patronised, being lined witii vehicles. At three o’clock the funeral cortege left the late residence of the deceased, and proceeded to the Roman Catholic Church, Lower I Lutt, and at the conclusion of the first part of the service it returned to the .darting p lint, where it was met by a parade of the V oluutcers and hundreds of mourners who had gone from town. The coffin was carried on a gun can.’age, and the procession then proceed -d to the naval burial ground at Petone, the ear* rlago being drawn by a detachment of the Petone Navals. The cortege was a mile in length, and was witnessed by thousands of people. Among the followers were the members of the Cabinet and nearly all the members of Hie Legislature, numerous loading officials in the Civil Service, the Mayor and leading citizens of Wellington, and clergy of the different f denominations, besides numerous friends of the deceased chief, and also mornbirs of tho Hapu, to which he had belonged. Major-General Sir George Whitmire was in charge of the p trade. There were also present Lieutenant-Colonel Buts, officer commanding the district, and Majors Messenger and Gascoino, anl also Captains Anderson, Powell and Coleman, ol the Permanent Force. It is understood that the feast in connection with tho death of this well-known chief w d cost over £6O ). The cm h at the Wef'-igton rid way station this afternoon was the largest ever witnessed there, and several, Indict, in i ‘ r auvl.-ty to gel. s ints. a r owed ; as dves to b:; dragged through the win 1 i.v.t :>/ ! Re carriages.