THE LATE JOHN McGREGOR.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2044, 21 October 1919, Page 2

THE LATE JOHN McGREGOR.

In our last issue we chronicled the death of Mr John McGregor, at Matakarapa pah, buu of the oldest .» natives on this coast, at the age of 92 years. The late Teone Makarika was a half-caste Maori, and was the gratidsdn of Tutcponrangi, the great lighting chief of the Ngalinpa tribe of the .South Island, who was in command of the Southern Maoris in the last battle between the North and South at Waiorau (Kapiti Is-"* land) about 1829. Over 4,000 native warriors took part, and it was this battle which settled the question of the future of Wellington and a portion of the; South Island, including Nelson and Marlborough. The Southerners were defeated by Te Kauparaha and his allies. Tutcponrangi was taken prisoner, and in return for sparing his life he made a gift to' tlie victors of {he territory from ■ d'Urville Island and Pylorus Sound to Cape Farewell, about 3,000,000 acres, the largest single gift of land in New Zealand history recognised by the Native Land Courts. Tutepourangi’s people, in order that bis only daughter, might not fall into the hands of Te Ranparahu and his allies, gave her over to Captain Jock McGregor, whose ship was then at anchor at Whakapuaka, Cattle Bay, Nelson. .McGregor married her, and. a son, Teone, was born at Wellington. He was left • there in charge of some Europeans while Jock McGregor wont to Wanganui and bought hind from the Wanganui Maoris. After a time ho returned to Wellington to take his sou lb Wanganui. Arriving at the mouth of the Manawatu , River, he left his son in charge of the ferryman while he went on to Wanganui to get a horse to convey his son to Wanganui. On his return to the Manawatu he discovered that Werea te Waha, Chief of the Raukawas, had kidnapped his son. Eventually Teone Makariki married a daughter of Pouti Hairuha (chief of the Takihikus), whose wife was Rangiwtiia, a cousin of lhakara, who was chief of the Ngaliratikawa, and who sold this part of the Wellington province to the Government under Dr. Eeathorston, Jock McGregor, J’eone's father, was the man who jumped over the Wanganui Clitf close to tin* Wanganui Bridge, when the Wanganui Muons chased him. The spot is now known as “McGregor’s Leap.” Teone Makariki leaves a widow and several children.' grandchildren and great-grandchildren, numbering in ail about 200. lhakara, Alrs' Sciascia, Mrs Tuili .McDonald, and Mrs Uui'(of Koputaroa) are children by his first wife. His remains were interned at Koputaroa yesterday.