MAORI CHIEFS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 101, 30 March 1925, Page 10

MAORI CHIEFS

TWO DEATHS AT GISBORNE. REV. ATIPENE RANGI. The death occurred at Gisborno of a well-known and highly esteemed Maori chief, of th 5 Ngatikaiiungunu tribe, tho Rev. Ah ip one Rangi. The deceased chief was t minister of the Church of England, : nd a rnngitira of tho old school, being widely respected alike by Europeans and Maoris. He was born 70 years ago at To Reinga Falls, on tho Wairor., Hawke’s Bay, and was a member of the liapu or sub-tribe, Ngatikohatu. It is also claimed by the natives that he was the lineal descendent of a mysteroius female taniwha who made her homo in these falls in tho mythical past. Tho name of this taniwha was Hinekorako, and tradition relates that although a taniwha, Hihekorako was a benevolent one and a mighty chieftainess, her fame spreading throughout the land as the saviour of voyagers by canoe from the hungry maw of tli 3 falls. When those travelling by’ on too approached the falls the rapids seized their craft and drew them towards destruction. Then the voyagers in tlioir extremity cried out incantations, invoking the aid of Hinekorako to deliver them, and the taniwha responded by causing their canoe to forge ahead against the current. The Rev. Ahipene Rangi died at his late residence, Manutuke, near Gisl>onie, and leaves a widow and family to mourn .him. TE KANI PERE.

A. well-known Maori, Te Kani Pore, also died at Gisborne, aged 67 years. Tho body has been embalmed, and the customary tangi is being held at Manutuke, wbe'e Maoris have assembled from all parts of the North Island. The interment will be at Waerengn-a-liika. Deceased was the son of the late Wi Pore, M.P. Te Kani Per© was educated at Auckland Grammar School, and took great interest in the progress of tho Poverty Bay district, where he was a large land-holder. Te Kani Here was keen on all kinds of sport. He was a incur her of the first football team to play for Gisborno against Napier. He was al.o a good marksman, and in addition owned several race horses, chief among them being Mahaki, a New Zealand Cup winner. He was also chairman of the first Maori Health Council in Gisborne. Te Kani Pere’s first wife was Rang. Konera, paramount chieftainess of the Aitangu-a-Mahaki tribe. He is survived by his second wife, one ton, and a daughter. PROTEST AGAINST TANGI. GISBORNE, March 28. A largo number of natives having assembled for a tangi at Manutake, Gisborne, protests have been sent to the Minister of Health by the chairman of the local bodies urging that in the interests of public health the tangi be prohibited.