DEATH OF HEMI MATENGA.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 27 April 1912, Page 6

DEATH OF HEMI MATENGA.

Mr James Martin, better known as Hemi Matenga, died at h:s residence at the Pah, Wakapuaka, yesterday afternoon, after a long illness. He was the only brother of the late Wi Parata Kaka. kura, the well-known Waikanae chief, and at one time Native Minister, who died some years ago. The brothers were •ons of a famous Maori chieftainess Waipunaahau, who married one of the early whalers, Mr. Stubbs, the owner of a whaling station at Kapiti Island. Th* sons were born in Motu Ngarara, a small island at the south end of Kapiti, where the large whaling station was situated. Maltenga was born about 1839. He was educated under Bishop Selwy.n at the Native College at Auckland, and he afterwards took up his residence at Wakapuaka, near Nelson. He married Huria Matenga (Julia Martin), known as the Grace Darling of New Zealand, from her heroic rescue of some people off the Delaware, which was wrecked cicse to the homestead at Wakapuaka. Matenga was a man highly respected in the community, and he seld several honourable positions. He was a member of the Native Trust Board in connection with the Public Trust Office, and was also a member of the board of trustees of Otaki Maori College. For a number of years Hemi Matenga was the Native representative on the Nelson Diocesan Synod. His wife predeceased him by two years, rfhd his only daughter, bv a former marriaga, died on April 15th, her death being due to worn- brought on bv her father's illness. Mr Martin was of a miiet and retiring dispo«it7on. and his well-known figurn will be missed bv manv who had received hospitality at his hands. The fun-err.l will take place on Sunday. Mnv sth.