FIFTY YEARS AGO

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23018, 21 April 1938, Page 8

FIFTY YEARS AGO

DEATH OF MAORI CHIEF The death occurred 50 years ago of Keuata Kawepo, one of the leading chiefs in Hawke's Bay, who had been a staunch friend of the "Europeans and who had furnished and led a contingent against Te Kooti. His burial was described in the New Zkai.and Hekald of April 21, ISSB, as follows: — "The funeral of Renata Kawepo today at Omahu, 13 miles from Napier, attracted the largest assemblage ever seen in Hawke's Bay. Fully 6000 persons were pre-sent, Europeans predominating. Several hundred volunteers took part in the funeral, which was a military one, in recognition »f Renata's loyal services during the Maori wars. "The Minister of Native Affairs, Mr. K. Mitchelson, was present and was approached on the subject of native legislation. He was asked to repeal the Native Laud Administration Act, to establish free trade in native lands with certain restrictions to prevent, the natives from impoverishing themselves, to exercise more care in the appointment of Native Lands Court judges conversant with Maori and to allow the Maoris in each district, to appoint their own assessors. In reply he sketched broadly the intentions of the Ministry, and his explanations seemed to.Jfcivp satisfaction "