FUNERAL OF MAJOR KEMP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1365, 28 April 1898, Page 19

FUNERAL OF MAJOR KEMP.

; AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY. “ By our Special Reporter. \ v ” Wanganui April 24. He tangata maia (he was a fearless man); he fangata piri pano ki oua hoa, he mahaki ki oua hoa riri (he was a true friend to a comrade, and a generous opponent to a ' worthy foe);' Such is the brief but pregnantly vivid eulogism of Meiha Keepa te a Rangihiwinui, otherwise Major Kemp, who, for years the trusty custodian of his brave brothers’ interests and the faithful friend of his white fellow-colonists, has parsed away at the fine old age of. 75. With the history of European civilisation on the Wanganui the name of Major Kemp is inseparably connected, and when one recalls, as everyone is recalling today, the manv deeds of valour, the sterling loyalty of the dead chief to the English Sovereign, who specially honoured him and the colonial Government, whom he so practically and materially assisted in the hour of danger, there is little need indeed for surprise at the great con iourse so representative aud so comprehensive of both Maoris and Europeans which has to-day thronged the streets of quiet and pretty Wanganui and found its way over to the picturesquely situated and historically important native pah at Putiki r , In 1886 or 1887 it fell to the lot of your correspondent, t > chronicle the public funeral accorded by the Government of the day and the settlers of Wanganui and the West Coast to the famnuH Mete Kingi. On that occasion there was a huge aAsetaolage of both natives and Europeans, who joined with friendly rivalry to do honour to a ,■valiant warrior, and who. although a true friend of the Europea: s, was never for a moment faMile-* t the muintenaue • of the honour and dignity of the race. Since then there has been wi'nessed the impressive ceremonies at tne de>th of Paora te Katu, the famous Poverty Bay chief at Paikirikiri, near Gisborne, and the yet more renowned Renata Kawepo, of Hawke’s Bay. EULOGY OF THE DEAD CHIEFTAIN. But none of these by-gone functions has approached in importance and solemnity the public funeral accorded to-day to Kemp; Kemp of Wanganui, Kemp of Moutoa, Kemp of the march from Pipiriki to Opotiki, Kemp who dogged to his lair the bloodthirsty Te Kooti, Kemp the faithful and true who was specially honoured by the great white Queen at Windsor with the present of a sword, that sword that to-day has been regarded ‘ with silent reverence. It lies on the wreathatrewn coffin of the dead hero. ’ A “UNION OF HEARTS.” The ceremony to-day has been remarkable for the cordial and sympathetic union of brown and white in doing honour to a faithful friend to both races. Representative settlers from all along the coast, from Taranaki down to Wellington, and from Hawke’s Bay, joined with the natives in testifying to the esteem in which the dead rangatira was held by all who knew him. . In Wanganui there has been a distinct though reserved and quietly dignified ex*

pression of feeling that in the death of Major Kemp the town and disuriat will lose a true friend, one who in the days when the very existence of the settlers here was in danger proved true to his work. The gathering to-day at Major Kemp’s grave was no mere assemblage of curious and idle sightseers, but underlying all the outward exhibition of public sorrow there was undoubtedly a strong individual sentiment of regret that the Europeans have lost as much through the death of the famous old chief as those who to-day have mingled their tears and laid down their humble leafy tribute of grief on the coffin, which till midday lay in the beflagged and bannered tent at Putiki. SORROW FOR THE DEAD. Late on Saturday the wailing was wafted across the beautifully-still river, and while yet the bells of the pretty Catholic Church in Victoria avenue were calling the attendants at early mass the faint and as it were muffled tones of the dirge chanters came up to town borne on the sea breeze. AT PUTIKI PAH. At about 10 o’clock the sight was one which should long dwell in the memory of those privileged to witness it. In company with the Hon James Carroll, Mr Sheridan, of the Native Department, and other official visitors, I made a round of the village, where at a rough estimate some 1500 natives are assembled. Here are contingents from Wairarapa headed by Ta-r.ahau Mahupuku, of Greytown ; from Hawke’s Bay, Moawhaugo (Inland Patea), Pipiriki, Otaki, Waitotara and scores of other places. They have come by canoe and coach and rail. They have walked or ridden, with their women folk and a crowd of kiddies, and with them have come huge supplies for the local commissariat. The local natives have worked with might and main to provide for the visitors, and tents roughly constructed, whares and the leafy bowers which the Maoris can construct with such readiness for emergency, are there for visitors. THE VISITORS. In the crowd are many representative men of both races, chatting with Mr William Broughton, of Omaha, Hawke’s Bay, a balfoaste native, well known from his connection with the history of the Renata Kawepo will case. He points out to me chiefs like Pane Namarangi, Paora Ropihawepe te Apatu and Teira Tiakitea. Amongst others are Mr W. Parata, well knowu in Maori and European politics, and old settlers like Mr P. Bartholomew, Levin, and Mr Donald Fraser ; well-known Wanganuiites like Messrs T. J). Cummings and “ Charley ” Powell, who act to-day as marshals of the funeral cortege ; Colonel No wall, Captain Reece and quite a host of old Kaiwhaka Maoris, native land agents, land experts, interpreters and so forth. Also in the afternoon [ noticed Sir Walter Bailer, for years the trusted friend of the dead chief, Colonel Pole Penton, Major Sommerville and others of high military and official standing. THE NATIVE POLICE. Perfect order is preserved in tlie pah, and regularly at intervals of five minutes or so the assemblage of whites and natives is paraded by the Maori policemen, as staid and incorruptible officials as even the exacting Thomas Taylor, M.H.R , might hope to meet.“ You must stand back, pakeha, you must not take the photo ” (this, it you please to the special of a leading Southern paper) ; “ lou must not smoke ” (this to the member for Wellington suburbs, who meekly throws away his cigar); “You must not stand too near” (this to none other than Tima Kara (Hon J. Carroll) himself. He is a fine fellow this Maori man in blue, although his costume is Bohemian, and calculated to make Inspector Tunbridge’s hair stand on end. He wears a helmet of the old redstone epoch, a Cardigan jacket, like Joseph’s coat of many colours, bluchers, , say No. 19’s, and a flagrantly crimson sashV; but he knows his duty, and he does it, and woe betide the European Minister, member of Parliament, pressman or ordinary individual who dares to cross his appointed aukati line. He is put back blaudly bat firmly, and back he has to go. THE DEAD HERO IN STATE. Under the friendly guidance of Mr Carroll, however, your correspondent finds his way across the carefully-tyled lodge boundary, across the aukati line, in fact to where the dead hero lies in a handsome oak coffin covered with wreaths of beautiful flowers. On the coffin is the sword—the sword of Te Kuini, a* a friendly native informs me—and with the sword are the uniform and trappings generally of him who fought so gallantly for the white Queen he had nover ?ean. On each side of the coffin are the crouched forms of the widow, the daughter and two other female relatives. Not since Thursday last until to-day, and then only when the body is lowered into the grave, has bite or sup passed the lips of the faithful women, and as contingent after contingent of outside natives march up and mourn in dismal yet musically correct minor chords, the women join in with unfailing precision and harmony. Around the square are massed hundreds of natives. Occasionally some stalwart chief will come forward and initiate the chanting, a mournful dirge drifting later on into a decidedly frivolous haka. With the exception of an occasional lapse into frivolity such as a haka, led by the Greytown ohief Tamahau Mahupuku, the general tone is severe.y sedate, not to say lachrymose to the verge of ' flood. IRREVE :ENT JUNIORS. • The younger natives, especially those in I European dres-p .ire apparently a'in wed Or j unsymoathet c. bu’; with the eider.-' there is jno mistaking thi genuine char-.cter of the | grief at Kemp’s death. The natives from 35 to 50 are to-day the real mourners. The younger generation, with their smart tweed suits, their high collars, their soft knickers, their cigarettes and their “ billies,” care little about Kemp or any other dead warrior. It is not amongst these that the grief-stricken are found to-day, THE WREATHS. The wreaths on the coffin are very numerous, but, amongst many, I notice floral tributes sent by the Government of New Zealand, the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department, Mrs John Ballance, Mr Gilbert Carson, M.H.R., the Wanganui County Council, the Wanganui Borough Council, Mr Robert Ward (Judge of the Native Land Court),, Colonel Pole Penton, Hon James Carroll, Sir Walter Buller, &c. FLAGS AND SYMBOLS. The flags displayed on the square attract special attention. Long streamers, with specially-designed devices, being symbolical of the anguish of the natives at the loss of their chieftain, the sincerity of their loyalty to the Queen’s mana, their satisfaction at their own progress and that of their white neighhours along the path of civilisation, and their trust in the Christian faith and Saviour,

A STIRRING INCIDENT. \ During the morning quite a dramatic effect j is produced by the marching into the square < of Major Kemp’s band, a brass band composed I mainly of natives from the famous up-river j settlement of Ranana, or London, which for years was Major Kemp’s home. The musicians play remarkably well, and cause a great sensation as they draw up in front of the dead chief’s tent, led by Reane, who was the dead rangatira’a standard-bearer at Moutoa, and who fought side by side with bis chief through all the long and tedious struggle when Major Kemp chased Te Kooti right across the island to Opotiki, and Reane is still a young-looking man. “ ABSENT FRIENDS.” A good many natives who might reasonably have been expected to be present did not turn up. The Taupo and up-river natives, those, say, betweea Pipiriki and the head waters of the Wanganui, are only due tomorrow, when kakas and poi dancing on quite an exalted scale are to be produced, i Thors are no Ngatiporus, or Gisborne East ! Coast natives, hero, something having gone “ wrong with the works,” as a slangy native committeeman informs me, the explanation being that the party missed the steamer. Also there are no Waikatos. This. is accounted for by the fact that the sister of Mahutu, the Maori king, died recently, and a big contingent of Waikato natives who would otherwise have been present bave Had to mind their own mourning and, as my friend the Maori committeeman puts it, “ use up their own willows.” There are many notable exceptions amongst the Europeans. lam at a loss to account for the absence to-day of not a few settlers, who in the early days owed the security of their homesteads, the safety of their wives and families, their absolute existence, in fact, to the friendly offices of such men as the late Major Kemp and poor old Meti Keingi, who, some 11 years ago, the writer saw placed in bis long, last home, but a few yards away from where Major Kemp rests to-night. THE PROCESSION. With laudable punctuality at 2 o’clock sharp the funeral procession left the drillshed, the coffin having been escorted into town during the morning by a detachment of the Alexandra Cavalry. The weathe" was perfect, a cloudless sky and a sun which recalled the heat of midsummer. The preliminary management of the procession had been placed in very capable hands, and there was practically no hitch in the proceedings, not a little credit being due to Mr T. D. Cummings, who is omnipresent in Wanganui public functions, Mr C. Y. Powell, so well known to colonial rowing men. and Mr C. Goffa, Government Native Interpreter, who acted as marshals. The procession was headed by a firing party of the Wanganui Rifles, headed by Captain J. P. Watt (to whom the cause of Volunteering in Wanganui owes so much). Next followed the Wanganui Garrison Band, after which came the coffin, the pall-bearers being the Hon James Carroll, Sir Walter Buller, Sir Arthur Douglas, Mr Waldegrave, Messrs G. Carson and Pirani, M’s.H.R., Austin and others. After the coffin came the favourite charger ofthe old warrior ; next the immediate relatives,wailingas they went down the street, and a bodyguard of natives of high degree. Following these came the High School Cadets, tliß Collegiate School Cadets (a particularly smart lot of young fellows), the New Zealand Veterans’ Association (some 35 strong),military and Volunteer officers, members of the Wanganui Borough Council, County Council, Harbour Board, Hospital Board, Magistrates and Judges of the Native Land Court, officials ot the Native Department, Civil Service, and the general public. A noticeable feature of the procession was the number of old settlers from far and near J along the coast. A VAST CROWD. The crowd was dense, the total assemblage around the grave, on the flat and on the surrounding hills being estimated by looal experts at from between 10,000 and 11,000. AT THE GRATE. In a corner of the pah which was shaded by some fine willow crees was the grave. The military formed up in a square, and the three native brass bands—the Otaki Maori, led by Mr S, Cimino, of Wellington , the Waitotara Maori Band and the Ranana Maori Brass Band (Major Kemp’s bind) — with the famous flag of Motna wiving amongst them, occupied prominent; positions. The funeral service was brief but extremely impressive The Rev A. O. -Williams, Anglican missionary in charge of the Wanganui river work, read a Maori translation of the beautifully-simple Anglican burial service, short portions of the Scripture, in Maori, being read by native co-helpers. Two favourite old hymns were sung «t the grave. I The widow, the daughter and other women j relatives of the dead chief cast in tkrir green branches, and the coffin, with a aim ole inscription of tho doad man’s chieftainship and age, wa3 lowered into its place, the firing party living the customary three voiles in r- cognition of the departed warrior’s military dignity. SPEECH-MAKING. This was inevitable, but it was laudably and pleasantly brief. With quiet dignity of demeanour, with well chosen words and a delivery which marked the born orator, the Minister representing the native race, the Hon Mr Carroll, standing by the grar9-sida, paid a aimp.o but eloquent testimony to the many virtues of the chieftain warrior, the ooUmidt a-d the man He recapitulated his may services to his own race and to the Europeans, to whom he had been so loyal a friend. Going back to ’64, he recalled Major Kemp’s appointment as ensign. He briefly sketched the brilliant fighting at Pipiriki, the helter-skelter campaign across to Opotiki, whither he went to seek the murderers of the Rev Volkner and Mr Fulton.. Coming to later days, he told the stirring story of Major Kemp’s many deeds of valour. Briefly referring to Major Kemp’s services under Generals Cameron and Chute, he recounted the story of how Kemp was accorded thß New Zealand Cross for his devoted and chivalrous conduct at Motorua on November 7, 1868. He read extracts from Colonel Whitmore’s despatches, and quoted at length the eulogistic opinion of Sir Geo. Bowen, Mr Carroll then explained that owing to the declaration of war between Spain and America the Governor had asked tho Premier to remain in Wellington. Mr Seddon had desired, however, him (Mr Carroll) to express his sincere regret at hisginability to be present. The crowd quietly dispersed, and thus i ended what has been one of the most memorable public functions in the history i of Wanganui. J

The Premier received a telegram Sunday night informing him that there were 12,000 people at the funeral of the late Major Kemp,

The tangi over the remains lasted for 12 j days, and was remarkable for the order and sobriety maintained. Not a single case of insobriety is recorded. Regret at the Premier’s unavoidable absence was expressed by both pakehas aud Maoris. In connection with the tangi over the death of tho late Major Kemp, a great feast is now being held, the local (Pntiki) Maoris providing the necessary “ kai.” “King” Mabutu wired that he intended, leaving Waikato for Wanganui in a day or two with some 200 followers. About 1000 natives are coming down the Wanganui river in their canoes to attend the ceremonies.

The deceased chief, it is understood, left all his estate to his daughter Wikitoria, with the exception of his sword and military accoutrements, which have been left to his nephew.