DEATH OF WI NEERA

New Zealand Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 5678, 28 August 1905, Page 5

DEATH OF WI NEERA

TANGI AT PORXRTJA. The Ngatitoa,- who have suffered several notable bereavements of late, are assembling In large numbers at tho pa near Porirua for tbe tangi over the remains of the late Wi Neera to Kanae, who died on Friday. The deceased chief, who was on© of the principal surviving leaders of tho Ngaiitoa, was descended from Te Uauparaha, as follows:—Te Bauparaha’e daughter married Wi te Kauae; their daughter Tewira married Peneta, whose place of residence was at Rapaki, in Canterbury; and the late deceased chieftain, Wi-Neera te Kanae, was their sou. Therefore, he was great-grandson of To Rauparalia in the female lino. One of Mr Wi Noera’s daughters is the wife of Mr Hira Parata, of Waikanao. Mr Wi Neera, who was fifty-nine years old, was, in common with many except the oldest living Maoris, a man of peaceful times. The year of his birth was the year of the capture of Pahautanui. pa and rhe discomfiture of Rangihaeata and tJie simultaneous capture of To Rauparaha at Taupo pa, close to Plimmerton. It was the last year of violence between the whites and those' West Coast tribes, Ngaiitoa and Ngatiraukawa, whoso seat of strength was Knpiti and tho adjoining country. A year later Te Rauparaha—a man of broken spirit—was released by Sir George Grey, and tho year after, that Wiremu Kingi led back his Ngatiawa to the ancestral lands at Waitara. The late Wi Neera was-a quiet, dignified, unassuming man. He was frequently seen, in Wellington, where he was engaged as assessor in the Native Land Court. It is expected that all the natives will have assembled at Porirua to-day, and the burial will probably take place-to-morrow. TANGI AT WAIKANAB. Last week the Ngatiawa held a tangi at Waikanae over tho remains of Hira Macke, an old native, who died at Otaki. Hie deceased was one of tho irreconcilable Ngatiawa who were forced into war - over their wrongful expulsion from tho Waitara block. He was present at the battle of To Ngutu o te Manu, in September, 1868. After the war was brought to a close, Hira. Maoke was still a malcontent, and until his death was an ardent T© Whiti-ito. His remains were buried or/ Saturday in the Maori burial ground near the Waikanao beach. Ai DEATH AT MOTUITI. Tho Ngatiraukawa have also lost a chief. Here Rangiliu'ia., fifty years .of age, died at Motniti on Friday. Ho had lived a quiet life, apart from fight- ' ing and active politics. ,