MAORI CHIEF'S FATAL ACCIDENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13296, 1 October 1906, Page 5

MAORI CHIEF'S FATAL ACCIDENT.

FALLS FROM A HORSE. [by telegraph.—press association.] Wellington, Saturday. Wi Parata, ex-M.H.R., and one of the leading and wealthiest chiefs on this coast, died at his residence at Waikanae this morning, death being due to an accident which he met with on Thursday last. He was in the act of mounting his horse, which by some unaccountable means he overshot and fell on his head. Deceased was a powerful man, of commanding appearance, and a first-class horseman. He leaves a large family, including a number of greatgrandchildren. Wiremu Parata was with Wiremu Katena appointed a member of the Executive Council, and Minister without portfolio in the Waterhouse Ministry, at the instance of Mr. (afterwards Sir) Donald McLean, who was anxious to give Maori members a voice in the councils of the country. He occupied this office from December, 1872, to February, 1876. He was a halfcaste by birth, his mother being a Ngatiawa woman of very high rank. He was a man of considerable ability and of oratorical power. Although always loyal to the Crown he strongly sympathised with the tribes that suffered during the war, and made more than one attempt to get the validity of the confiscating proclamation tested in the law courts.