A MAORI TANGI.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 71

A MAORI TANGI.

THE DEATH OF THE CHIEF TOPI.

(By Our Special Ee:po:kt:ek.) BLUFF, October 3

Upwards of 200 Natives are iioav on Euapuke Inland to attend the tangi in connection a^ ith the funeral of the late chief Teone Topi Patuki. It is rumoured that a number of northern Maoris are- coming down by die Hinemou to attend Llie funeral, and this may occoiutd for the uncertainty as to AUien the burial takes place. It is generally believed to bs next Sunday. There is no regular communication, and mo&t of the cutters are oA*er there. Large quantities of provisions ha\-e been sent OA - er. Topi's death having been expected for several Aveeks, his prospective mourners have been busy preparing delicacies, fattening geese, etc,, to be in readiness. A number of Lite arrivals, Arith some difficulty, secured a cutter to take them across lo the island on Thursday. The weather is mie. but a strong Avesterly breeze is bloAving m the straits. The tangi is admitted to be the last important function of its kind Aie are likely to Avitness in thi^ island, and the A r i&iting Maoris attach great importance to it.

Jctober 5,

The last of the expected visitors ai rived on Buapuke to-day by cutter from the Bluff. They were accorded a hearty welcome in true Maori style. Owing to the rough weather we had to land in Caroline Bay, instead of Henrietta, consequently cur party had to Avalk two miles over sandhills and through swamp. When we were within a quarter of a mile of Topi's house our party halted. The p.iity .included a couple of Pakehas, who were keenly interested, although they did not quite comprehend. Presently a weird, wailmg cry Avas, heaid, and, looking away over a jung.e of flax, we could see two old Maori dames waving a signal for our party to advance. As we drew nearer we could see they were peichcd upon an eminence, waving a -majestic welcome, which was graciously extended to the Pakehas also. On Hearing the house the Maoris of our party replied in turn. The whole affair was dignified and most impressive, and as Are were ushered into the house where the dead chief lay in state we found the house full of women and children. Two of our party were relatives of Topi, and they advanced and stood beside the bier, and the tangi commenced. As the men stood gazing, with heads reverently bowed towards the dead chief's coffin, the women crooned and Availed like the dronings of human pibrochs. One old Maori woman prostrated herself by the doorway, " while the others were huddled around the room in approved Maori style. The wailing continued for about 20 minutes, and then the visitors each made a speech and sang a song, reciting the rank, pedigree, and virtues of the illustrious dead. We were deeply impressed with tlie simple dignity and native grandeur of the proceedings. As our gaze travelled from the central figures it was met on every side by those of the women and little children whose beautiful lustrous eyes rested upon us like a sweet benediction. We were taken to the pahuri, where we were regaled with food in abundance, after which we were told by young Topi that we wc±e welcome in their midst. Nothing could exceed the kindness with which we were looked after in every way. After diivna/ we paw a prime bullock slaughtered for the feast, and some photographs were secured, the Maoris expressing their delight that they should see them later in the Otago Witness, copies of which come here regularly. There are about 200 Natives at present on the island, and the utmost decorum and good order prevails. In this, respect they can give the Pakehas points Oar cutter was to return to the Bluff tonight, but cannot face the sou-west gale and driving rain at present prevailing in the strait. The sleeping accommodation is taxed to the utmost, but the commissariat is ample. The funeral is fixed for Sunday. Meanwhile the body is lying in state. and is watched by mourners in turns night and day, and is never for an instant left unguarded. Four very large greenstone meres are hung beside the bi n v, and tho coffin is covered with M.nie N.uive mg 1 - uf splendid workmanship. The Tti.wve j idk--and fltix thickets form a \aiM lanr'-f ape, and the thunder of the .surf dashing upon the coast in dense cloiuU of ,-jn'ay a weird requieaa.

IXVERGARGILL, October 7. The closing scenes in the obsequies of the late chief Teone Topi Patuki took plnce at Ruapuke Island to-day. Though the weather was very threatening last night the special train which left early this morning had over 140 passengers from all parts, of Southlrnd ond Lakes districts, and, despite the gale raging in Foveaux Strait, the Haibour Board's tug Awarua took on board the iull number alloAvcd by tho customs — namely, 174. There will bs a considerable surplus in connection Avlth the earning of the steamer, and the charterers (the ReA r . D. C. Bates and Mr John Moffett) intend handing it over to purchase a bell for the Bluff Anglican Church as a memento of the late chief, Avho had some time ago presented one bell to the church. On account of the rough Avetither Hennrietta Bay Avas deemed an unsafe anchorage, so Captain M'Doncild ran for Caroline Bay, and the passengers had to Avalk from there to Hennrietta, Avhere Topi's lato residence is situated. The distanco, about four miles, Avas oA'er very rough country, and some failed to <rel thc-ie in time to witness the ceremony. The .Rea 7 . Mr Bates officiated, and. on an'ival, the coffin, Afhich Avas inscribed thus —

'"'Thy will be done. Tcone Topi Patuki-, died' 28th September. 1900. Aged 90 yearn. The spirit shall return unto those who gave it " — was lifted out of the death, chamber by Messrs C. Moffeti, F. Tipping. M. Featherstone, and H. Jooston as a mark of the respect in which deceased Avas held by the pakeha. Then the appointed bcareiv — Taoki Whaitiri, Hop'oa Webb, "Rdniera Ellison, Thaia Fortigew, John Taipairia, H. Kahu, T. Telni, and J. Teonp Pohio took the coffin, and Avere led tcnvards the cemetery by Taree Te Kahu,, Timoti Wliina, and Timoti Rapatini, who were the leader"*. Just at the foot of the rise to Te an Korakia (God's acre) a j^hort service was read by the Eev. Mr Ba^es and Charlie Wesley. The former made a feA^ remarks concerning the deceived. He referred tn hi& loyalty to the pakeha, and stated that Topi AA-as one of the chiefs Avho ceded Stewart Inland and Akaroa to the British, and Avas also one of the signatories. The proce«ion, all AvearJng the mourning Avreaths of green leaA'es on tlisir head", then moved on to the graA-e, and the remains of Topi Averc buried close by his eldest son, avlio died some 20 years ago. In addition to the Anglican burial service the Maoris said the Lord's Prayer in their OAvn tongue. The opening of the umu (an OA'en built in the ground containing whole be.i?i-.) Avas the next part of the projramiao, and the meat was served on tablecloths on the ground or on small flax mats. All the visitors to the island Avere mndc very welcome at this. , .The h ikari or feast came after the funeral, and it Ava& a mournful meal, for the female relatives Avere Availing for deceased in his death chamber. Avhich Avas littered with his mats and greenstone*. H. S. Maire Avas the chairman of the committee arranging the tangi. Visiting Maoris Avere present from the North Island, Little River, Temuka, Mataura. Riverton, Colac, and ..various other settlements, ovpr 200 being present.

Mr R. O. Cavrick, a\ vicing in the Southland Timps of the deceased chief, fayo : — " The dignity of Topi's personal relations centres in one Tama-i-hara-nui, Avho was the upoko-ariki, or heir to the ancestral honours of Nga-i-te-rangi-a-moa, Avhieh has some marked significance to the day? of the moa, probably arising from distinctions Avon by them as rooa hunters. Tn itself it \va.s the noblest family of the Ngrutaim. To lint-Tam-i-hara-nu'i added -furlhar distinction ir that several other noble lin.es met in his person. As the hereditary spiritual head of tho tribe, he was regarded with peculiar A'enerrtiion, and the common peonle. Aye are tolcl, did not dare to look upon his face, while i-is equals felt his sacred presence an oppress-.ivp restriction upon their liberty of action. That was the high and mighty potentate to whonTopi's right of niana, or tribal distinction, refers back. His birth record, as given in Native Land Court practice, sets forth that the common ancestor was one Te Wakatitiro, who begat Tama-i-hara-nui and two daughters named Wairua and Te Matuhui. Wairua married a Ngailahu named Tc Mara ma. Topi avji* eldest son of that marriage. Tama-i-hara-nui was therefore Topi's uncle by the mother's side. ' The former, prior to hits tragical death by-Te Eauparaha, had a family of tAvo sons and one daughter. Tho daughter and one son predeceased him. The remaining son, Tutehounuku, went, away in a Avhaler, and remained aAvav so long that ho Avas mourned for dead. Ho subsequently returned, but has s,mce been lost sight of, so that he could not have asserted his ancestral rights. In that case our deceasd chieftain possessed the highest distinction in heredity Maoridom could confer, and it i? to be regretted he is survived by no one likely to preserve intact these rare distinctions."