OBITUARY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9990, 29 November 1895, Page 1 (Supplement)

OBITUARY.

DEATH OF MAJOR TE WHEORO. Hontly, November 1. Tiie well-known nativo chief Major Wiremu I'e Wheoro, died ab his settlement, near Churchill, on Wednesday last. Ho had been ill for some time, and arrived home from Rotorua only on Monday last. He was there for medical and hydropathic treatment. The Major was about 69, and had become very frail and aged during the past yoar. A tangi on a large scale will be hold prior to tho burial, which, iN all probability, will take place at Taupiri.

When the troubles arose which eventually led to tho Waikato war, To Wheoro was a young chief of considerable influence in Waikato. He had acquired that position by his high birth and independent character. He was present ab tho great meeting held in 1859, when the king flag was hoisted. Wiremu Nera, the loyal chief of Raglan, said that tho new flag would lead to calamities for tho Maoris. Wiremu Tamehana (William Thompson) said, if the King flag was nob liked, lob Rewi, who had hoisted it, pull ib down. Rewi then pulled down the Kingito flag, and throw jkat the foob of tho Union Jack, meaning to show that Wiremu Nera courted entire subjugation. Tarahawaiki angrily re-hoisted tho flag. To Wheoro, upon this, mado an eloquont speech, urging that they should adhere to tho way of the firsb Governor, who gave friendship, love, and kindness, and had been imitated by his successors. After this meeting, To Wheoro strongly supported Mr. Fenton in his administration in Waikato. When Mr, Gorst (now Sir J. E. Gorst) was in Waikato, To Wheoro was made head magistrate of ono of the runangas, but ho found himself unablo to restrain tho impetuosity of some of his own tribe.. In January, 1863, Sir G. Grey, who by that time had succeeded Governor Gore Browne, went up the Waikato to endeavour to pacify the rebellious party. Ho was mob at Drury by To Wheoro, who accompanied him to a' mooting at Taupiri, and aided him in every possible way. When the disturbance took place respecting tho timber for a building at Kohekohe, Te Wheoro did all ho could to provont the Kiunites from proceeding to extremes. Wi To Wheoro was as patriotic, and had as strong a love for his people as any man of his race, but he saw that it was mero suicidal folly to commence war with the Europeans. He' accompanied General Cameron on his advance, and took evory opportunity to endeavour to make peaco. After tho battle of Rangiriri, To Wliooro went as an ambassador from General Cameron to the Ivingites at Ngaruawahiu. Tamati Ngapora and Wiremu Tamehana gavo tho Kingite flagstaff to Te Wliooro, saying, " Wo givo over this flagstaff to you, with those buried hero and at Ngaruawahia, for you to give over to tho General and to the' Governor. Especially let not tho remains of the dead be illtroatod by the soldiers." But the more fiery spirits still prevented peaco from being made. In 1869, when tho actual fighting had coino to an end ill Waikato, To Wheoro attended a meeting called by tho King atHangatiki, and endeavoured to bring about an understanding. During all tho meetings which led to the establishment of peace with the Waikato tribes, To Wheoro rendered splendid service. Although ho had remained on tho side of tho Europeans during the war, he was much respected by all tho kingites, and had great influcnco with them. The estimation in which he was held by his people was shown by his being olected to represent them in Parliament. During tho time he was in the House, To Wliooro strongly supported every measure which ho believed would bo for the advantage of his countrymen. Ho was much respectod by his followmembers, and no mean or selfish behaviour was evor laid to his charge. Tho key note of his policy wo have already stated. Ho was a true Maori, hoart.ai\d. soul, but ho know that a contest with tho Europeans would lead to tho utter defeat of his peoplo. Therefore ho attempted to prevent the outbreak of the war, and endeavoured to bring about peace whenever an opportunity offered.

A very old identity of Auckland, in the person of Mrs. 0. C. Payne, wife of tho late Mr. George C. Payne, the well-known counter clerk of the General Post Office, Auckland, passed away on Nov, 8 after two years' suffering. Sho was widely known for her benerolence, and leaves u grown-up family of five daughters and two sons. I In our obituary column will be found recorded the death of Mr. James Craig, of Ponsonby, in his GOth year. Tho deceasod was an old identity, having como over to Now Zealand in tho sixties from Victoria, being instrumental in bringing over the Lyster Opera Troupe, in which venture lie suffered financial roversos. He was at tho West Coast, and on tho outbreak of tho Thames goldfield was early on tho sceno, and for many a long year wab ono of the leading men in thab district, and carried on an auctioneering business as well as several important agenoies. Deceased leaves a widow and several stepchildren. Our Buy of Islands correspondent writes: —" Wiremu Katene, of Te Ahuahu, a leading Maori chief, died on November Ist. He was a man of considerable influenco among tho natives, an ex-M.H.R. for tho Northern Maori district. He was also hold in high esteem by his white neighbours. As a farmer of his own largo estate, which ho managed in the same manner as thepakohas, he seemed to be almost one of them. And yet he was over anxious to bo guarding tho interests of his own race."

Our Kaiwako correspondent writes: — " I have to announce tho death of another resident of Kaiivaka in the person of Mr. Richard Harwood Wedge, who died on Sunday, November 3, in the 70th year of his ago. The deceased gentleman was born ab tho Rectory, Borough Green, Cambridgeshire, England, whero his father, the Rev. C. Wedge, M.A., of Caius and Christ Colleges, was for a period of 69 years the rector. Tho deceasod in early life imbibed a passion for travel, and after a few years spent in that pursuit entered the Royal navy, being appointed midshipman in H.M.s. Brilliant, on board of which ship young Wedge remained for soveral years, seeing much that both charmed and gratified a spirit that constantly longed for adventure and change. It was while serving on board this warship that Wedge, still a young man, mot with an experience which nearly cost him his life. H.M.S. Brilliant being engaged on a survey of the coasb of Africa, was also ordered to keep a strict watch over slave vessels. On ono occasion a slaver was observed. A launch was gob out, manned by officers and men from the ship. Tho object was the capture of the suspicious craft. Unfortunately the launch camo againsb some sunken rocks and broke up, when all hands perished save two, Mr. Wedge being one of the saved. Another old settler passed away ab Wellington on Novembor 11, Mr. William Aitkon, builder, aged 81. Tho deceased loft Fifeshiro, his native place, in Juno, 1841, for Melbourne, where he worked as a patternmaker at Fulton's foundry. He married soon after, and at the end of six years was left a widower with two children. Ho married again, and sailed for Wellington, whore he has livod ever since-some 140 years. Tho children by the first wife married, bub aro now both dead, leaving between them twelve children. By tho second marriage two daughters were born. One is dead, and the surviving daughter is Miss J. Aitken, who with his elder grandchildren nursed him in his last illness. The socond Mrs. Aitkon was drowned in Wellington harbour some nine years ago. Mr. Aitken was formerly in partnership with tho lato Mr. John McLaggan, builder. Tho firm erected the old courthouse, the Bank of New Zealand premises on Lambton Quay, St. Paul's Pro-Cathedral, and many other buildings. During the past 20 years the deceased has lived in retirement. Intelligence has been received in town of the death of tho Rev. Joseph Matthews, of Kaitaia, one of the oldest missionaries in New Zealand. At the time of his death he -was 86 years of age. l Mr. Petor Linn, an old Greytown identity, died on Nov. 8 from the after effects of an attack ,of influenza.The deceased, who was a clever : musician, founded the first brass band in Greytown.

An old and esteemed resident of Auckland,JMr. J. L. Sinclair, was seized with a stroke of paralysis on his way home from the Otahuhu Mutual Improvement) Association meeting on November 11. He never reeovered consciousness, but passed away on No?. 12. The deceased arrived in Auckland' in the King of Italy, aboub thirty years ago. Soon after his arrival he joined the staff of the old Southern Cross, and was connected with the New Zealand press for some years. After tho passing of the present Education Acb in 1877, he entered the service of tho Auckland Education Board, from which he retired some years since. Two of his daughters are at present employed as teachers under tho Board. Another daughter is a graduate—M.A., New Zealand University. The deceased was born in the Orkney Islands, and, although quite cosmopolitan in his tastes and habits, was much attached to his own country, Scotland. His book of poems, " Orcadian Rhymes," published some years ago, contains beautiful descriptions of the scenery, manners, customs, and legends of the Orkneys. On Saturday, Nov. 23, Mr. Philip Larritt, a clerk in the office of Messrs. Hesketh and Richmond, solicitors, for nearly a quarter of a century, was seized with a fit of apoplexy ab the National Bank Buildings, Queen-street. Dr. Hooper was soon in attendance, who recommended his removal to the Hospital. He never rallied, bub died early the next morning. There was no inquest, as l)r. Hooper was prepared to give a certificate as to the cause of death. , Deceased was 68 years of age, married, and loaves a family. We regret to -record the death of Mr. J. B. Gudgeon, postmaster at Picton, who had been suffering from cancer for a long time. Tho deceased, who was a brother of Major Gudgeon, Judge of the Native Land Court, was at one time one of the best of Auckland's athletes. On November 20 Constable Jones, of tho water police, died at tho hospital, after a brief illness ot a little over a week, ibis understood, from inflammation of the bowels. Ho was a native of Wales, and had been in the force for soveral years. Constable Jones was formerly in the mercantile marine, and held a. second mate's certificate. Ho was much respected by his comrades. Wo have to record the death of Mr, William Kemp, who passed away peacefully at his residence, Mount Albert, at about half-past nine o'clock on the 12th of November in his Goth year. The late Mr. Kemp was born at Nottingham, England, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1842. The greater portion of his colonial life has been spent in the Mount Albert district, whore ho has been held in the highest esteem for his industry and integrity of character. The funoral of the lato Mrs. William Campbell, Pakuranga, took 'place on Nov. 10, at the Catholic Cemotory, Howiclt. Tho cortege was one of the largest and the most representative witnessed in the locality for very many years, showing the respect in which the deceased was held, Monsignor McDonald conducted the funeral obsoquies in a very impressive manner, and spoko of the many excellent qualities of tho deceased. Marmaduko Dixon, a very old Canterbury sottler, diod early on Nov. 15, aged 67. We regret to learn from a telegram from Duuediu that Mrs. Kcmptborne, wife of Mr. T. W. Kempthorno, tho managing director of the New Zealand Drug Company, Limited, passed away on November 16 after a long illness. It is with regret, says our Thames correspondent, that I havo to announce the death of Mr. William Murdoch, which sad event took place at the hospital about seven o'clock on November 18. Deceased was a vory'old and highly-rospccted resident at the Thames, and a few years ago ha was a member of tho Thames County Council. Mr. Paul, Deputy Official Assignee, Dunedin, is dead, after a long illness. The death is announced of Mr. James Stack,, of Spreydon, Canterbury, lie was born at Glasgow in 1834, and took up his residence in Canterbury about 32 or 33 yoars ago. He was a shrewd man ot business, and by his perseverance and thrift ho amassed a fortune amounting, it is reported, to upwardß of £50,000. Intelligence was received in town on November 25 of tho death ab tho Thames of Mrs. E. F. Tizard, wife of Mr. E. F. Tizard, lato Collector of Customs there. Mrs. Tizard was well known in art circles as an artist and contributor to local art exhibitions,- and an old pupil of Mr. J. C. Hoyto, the well-known painter in water colours.