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New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11737, 26 January 1924, Page 10

Taipu, eldest, son of the Maori “King” Rata, died at tho Waahi native settlement, near Huntly. Deceased, who was about 30 years of age, had been ailing for some time, .and was attended during tho past few days by a European doctor. Taipu Mahutu was married to a daughter of the late Taupo chief, To Whotu. A tangi is being held at Waahi, and natives are gathered in force from all parts of the island. ' Mr William Blair Tait, a well-known figure in Auckland insurance circles, died at Auckland. He was for 18 years th© Auckland manager of the National Insurance Company, and was later manager of th© Atlas Insurance Company. Ho was th© eldest son of the late Rev. John Tait, formerly of Geelong, Victoria, and was bom at Illawarra, New South Wales. He was tho first scholar to enter the Melbourne Academy, afterwards renamed the Scotch College, as a boarder. After being connected with a number of banking institutions in Australia as teller, accountant, and manager, he went to Dunedin in 1872, and was appointed accountant to tho National Insurance Company of New Zealand, which commenced business in this country in 1873. Ho later went to Auckland as manager of th© company, being instrumental in purchasing the ground on which tho present offices of tho company stand. After 18 years in that position he became manager of the Atlas Company. Until age began to sap his energies, he was an enthusiastic howler, and was a life member of both tho Ponsonby and Carlton clubs. Mr Tait married twice and leaves a widow.

Mr Herbert Filmer has been appointed manager of tho Wellington branch of the Phoenix Assurance Company, r-ua.