Descendant Of Tamati Waaka Nene Dies

Northern Advocate, 10 April 1942, Page 2

Descendant Of Tamati Waaka Nene Dies

OBITUARY

Hone Fani Tamati Waaka Nene Nehua. whose death occurred suddenly at his birthplace, Whakapara, yesterday, was a direct descendant of Chief Tamati Waaka Nene who led the proBritish tribes at the time of the Maori Wars. His wife, Neati Ngawhare, was a daughter of the great warrior. Mr. Nehua was prominent in all movements for the welfare of the Maori people. He was one of the principal organisers for the erection of the commemorative stone house, on the Paihia side of the Waitangi River, and which was opened by the late Right Hon. W. F. Massey during his Prime Ministership. Mrs. Nehua died 12 years ago. There are five daughters—Mesdames Annie Strongman (Whangaruru), Emma Wi# son (Waiho Valley), Rosie Bennett (Whakapara) and L. Davis (Whakapara) and Miss Maudie Nehua (Whakapara)—and two sons—Messrs. Mihaka Nehua (Whakapara) and Eru Patuone Nehua (Horeke).

Representatives from all parts of Northland are assembling at Whakapara for the funeral, which will leave the late residence at 2 p.m. tomorrow. As a mark of respect to the deceased, the special parade of the Whakapara Home Guard which was to have been held tomorrow has been cancelled. The Inquest A verdict in accordance with the medical evidence,'that death was due to coronary thrombosis, was returned by the district coroner (Mr. G. H. Morrish) at an inquest yesterday afternoon into the death of Hone Pana Tamati Waaka Nene Nehua, a native farmer, aged 74. who was found’ dead on his bed yesterday morning. A son-in-law, Louis Henry Davis, gave evidence that Nehua had been afflicted with rheumatism for the past 18 years. He could get about on crutches and had been a hard worker. Last Sunday he had complained of pain and had said he thought it was his heart. Gasping for Breath Hcana Bennett, aged 14, said she had found her grandfather lying on his bed He had been gasping for breath and she iiad called for help. Hine Nehua, a daughter of Nehua, said her father had died about 10 minutes \ after she had been called by the previous witness. He had suffered from rheumatism for some years and had complained recently of a pain in his chest.

Death was due in his opinion to coronary thrombosis, said Dr. D. F. Armstrong, of Hikurangf. Coronary disease was a cardiac condition which often caused death in people of 50 years of age and over.