PUNGAREHU.

Opunake Times, Volume VI, Issue 274, 23 April 1897, Page 2

PUNGAREHU.

(Our Own Correspondent.) The funeral of the late Te Whetu took place at Parihaka on Tuesday afternoon and was largely attended by Maoris, but only some three or four Europeans were present, as it was expected that the burial would not be until Wednesday morning. The procession, which was headfd by the Waitara Native Drum and Fife Band and the Puniho Maori Brass left the pah for the burial g.ouud at about 2 p.m., but owing to the grave not being rea<iy it was nearly 5 p.m. before the actual interment took place. During this time the bauds played alternately, the women keeping time with their green leaves, &u.

During this tangi a very old custom was revived, namely, the widow (Mrs Te Whetu) and an aunt (Riri Ruakore), of the deceased, cut their arms, bodies, and laces with glass or shells until the blood flowed freely, and while all outside visitors viewed the body they led the tangi. What with the •' tears, blood, &c. " it was a sight not to be forgotten in a hurry. Before lowering the body into the grave the firing party fired two volleys into it. They then placed a feather bed, pillows aud rags ; then the body was carefully laid upon them aud all clothes, &c, iucluding the deceased's well - known " bell.- topper " were thrown ou top of him, and the grave filled up. The Bands again formed up and the procession marched back to the pah. In the death of Te Whc-tu, Parihaka loses one of the class of Maoris that caunot be replaced by the rising generation.

A concert and dance was held in the Pungarehu schoolroom on Monday evening last, in aid of the Pungarehu Town Hall Building Fund, and was a most successful affair. Subjoined is the programme, which was ably gone through by all performers and well received by the audience : Overture, The Misses Rutherford; song, Mrs Pope ; song, Miss Elwin (encored); violin solo, Miss Keasberry ; song, Mrs Keasberry ; pianoforte solo, Mis 3 Tregurtha ; recitation, Mr Bindloss ; song, Mrs Wade (encored) ; song, Mr J. Elwin ; pianoforte solo, Mrs Pope ; song, Miss E. Rutherford ; song, Master Tregurtha ; song, Mrs Keasberry ; recitation, Mr Bindloss (encored) ; pianoforte duet, Miss Hickman and Mr E. Golding ; song, Miss Elwin ; recitation, Mr Bindloss ; pianoforte duet, Mr De Vrie/.0. Mr B. B. E. Layard was in the chair aud the refreshments were looked after by fcho following ladies : Mesdames Rutherford, Harvey, Crisp, Layard, Dougherty, Hickman and Keasberry; Mr Tom Harvey kindly lent the piano. The thanks of the district are due to the ladies' committee who worked hard to make it such a success.