NOTED MAORI'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21319, 21 October 1932, Page 12

NOTED MAORI'S DEATH

MRS. MARGARET GRACE LONG RESIDENCE IN KIHIKIHI [from our own cof.rkspondf.xt] TE AWAMUTU. Thursday The death occurred this morning of Mrs. Makareti (Margaret) Hinewai Grace, of Kihikihi, one of the most respected and influential women of the Maori race in the Waikato. A daughter of a prominent chief of the Ngatimaniapoto tribe, slia married the late Mr. William H. Grace, a well-known native interpreter, and mada her homa in Kihikihi, where she speedily won the esteem of all with whom sh® came in contact. For many years Mrs. Grace was aa able helper with her husband in adjusting the differences between Maori and pakeha that had prevailed following tha cessation of hostilities in 1864. Mrs.Grace in later years ably helped her husband during the several terms that lid was chairman of the . Kihikihi Town - Board, and many people will remember her prominence in Red Cross work during the Great War. She was the Kihikihi queen in a district carnival in the early j*ears of the war, and attained the distinction of being "queen of queens" at the subsequent coronation ceremony, where many remarked upon lier regal bearing and dignity, a not surprising demeanour considering her birth and upbringing. . In recent years Mrs. Grace had lived very quietly in Kihikihi, advancing yeai-3 curtailing her activities, but visitors to her home always found her charming and interesting. Ifc is believed that Mrs. Graca was it least 90 years of age.