DEATH OF AN ISLAND QUEEN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2985, 31 May 1911, Page 64

DEATH OF AN ISLAND QUEEN.

AUCKLAND, May 26. Makea Takau, Queen of Rarotonga, died on May 1, after a lcng illness, aged 72. She reigned for 40 years. The Resident Commissioner visited the palace on several occasions daily, and was with the Queen when she died. When Queen Makea was appointed, Rangi was also nominated, and she had expressed the wish that Rangi should succeed her. Thi" wish will probably be given effect to by the Federal Council. The body lay in state for three days. The funeral was an imposing one, and the usual tangi was held.

WELLINGTON, May 26. The Hon. James Carroll, Acting Prime Minister, lias received .advices from Rarotonga reporting the death of the aged Makea Ariki, usually known as Queen of Rarotonga, which took place on the Ist inst. The deceased was the daughter of Makea T'avita, one of the four children of Makea Pori by his wife Upokotakau, of the Karika family. She has left no children. Makea visited New Zealand in 1885 and discussed with the Hon. J. Ballance, then Native Minister, the question of bringing the Cook Islands under British rule. She was always a, strenuous supporter of annexation, and gave unfailing support to the new order of things. Mr Carroll is taking steps to convey to the people of Rarotonga the great regret that is felt by the Government at the death of Makea, and their appreciation of the many services that she rendered in establishing and cementing British rule in the Islands.