DEATH OF ISAIAH PORUTU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 771, 10 December 1886, Page 24

DEATH OF ISAIAH PORUTU.

All old settlers in Wellington will learn with regret the death of Isaiah Porufca, the most important Chief of the Ngatiawa tribe, and the firm friend,> ally, and protector of the early colonists. His family originally came from Taranaki, and he was a near relation of Te Whiti, his father having been a brother of Te Whiti’s mother. He himself had lived for more than 4(1 years at Pipitea, where he died. From the very first settlement h© was a good friend to the l-'akeha, and Sir George Grey and other early Governors were under great obligations to him, not only for advice, but for active assistance. He fought with the settlers and soldiers afe the Hutt, at Porirua, and Horokiwi. When Rangihaetae threatened to attack Wellington by attempting, to march by the Hutt, Porutu, with Wi Tako, Manahera, and Epuni, successfully resisted the attack. The deceased was for many years a Native assessor, and was assistant Judge at the time of the settlement ef the Ngatirakawa land dispute. He was a man of great intelligence, and was well educated. From his birth and ability he was held in the highest respect by those of his own race, and during the session of Parliament, his house was the place where Maori members and their friends and advisers used to meet to consider proposed Native legislation. He had been an invalid for about 20 years, and for the last few years had been almost bedridden, except that on fine days he was wheeled in a chair about the town. He suffered from chronic rheumatic gout, and a complication of other disorders. Notwithstanding bad health, the deceased took a strong interest in what went on in the Colony, and his mind was clear to the lastr. He was full of anecdote, and his stories of days gone by were curious and interesting. He was hospitable and charitable to a fault, and never refused aid when it was asked. He was twice married, and leaves one daughter by his second wife, who also survives him. Mr Henry Pitt, who was for many years an official- in the Custom-. House, is his younger brother. Porutu some time before,his death made a will, distributing his property, which is considerable, among the members of his family. He expressed a strong wish that there should be no tangi at his funeral, a 3 he greatly disliked the feasting and drunkenness usual on such occasions. He asked that all his tenants should be invited to attend his funeral. >

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, deceased being; interred in the Anglican portion of the cemetery. The deceased’s remains wetfe followed -to their last resting place by a number of Europeans, many of them being: old settlers, and'a large number of. own race. The funeral was carried out in accordance with English customs. Among those in the procession were Mohi Hapa, nephew of the deceased; Messrs Eh. Baker, G. H. Davies, R. Taiaroa/ and G. H. Taiaroa, who acted as pall bearers; Mr G. S. Cooper, Undersecretary ; Mr G. S. Allan, and Mr ghan* .executor in the estate. -The ceremony at the grave was perfornaed-ky—IBmhop 1 Bmhop -fieldj-wUcrfead the burial service m Maori. After the interment Mr Henry Pitt,, brother of the deceased, who was chief mourner, delivered a short speech through Mr Hadfield, Native interpreter, in which he thanked the Europeans and friends of the deceased for their kindness in attending the funeral.