AGED MAORI'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21404, 31 January 1933, Page 12

AGED MAORI'S DEATH

POPULAR TAUPO IDENfITY

Ono of tho best-known figures among the older natives of the Taupo district, Tami To Kurupae, died last week at tho ago of 76 years. Ho was regarded as an authority on fishing conditions and matters of native history and interest. He was a familiar figuro in the environs of the township. The funeral was largely attended by both Maoris and pakehas. As a boy the deceased was adopted by the late Mrs. T. B. Nobel, who was at tho time in charge of the canteen at the military post at Opcpe, about 12 miles from Taupo on the Napier Road. As a youth in his teens, Tamati was a spectator of tho massacre which later took place at this spot when an attack was made by hostile natives. Later, when Mrs. Nobel took over the old Taupo Hotel, Tamati accompanied her, and worked about the hotel as a kitchen hand. lie held interests in several large areas of land and one of these was taken over from him by one of the afforestation companies. He was predeceased by his wife and seven of his family of eight children; the only surviving member is a son, licmahema Tamati To Kurupae, who is still residing in the Taupo district.