LATE MR C. R. PARATA

Otago Witness, Issue 3331, 16 January 1918, Page 46

LATE MR C. R. PARATA

THE FUNERAL

The funeral of the late Mr C. R> Parata, M.P. for tho Southern Maori district, took place at Puketeraki on Friday afternoon, tho body having been "brought down from Wellington by relatives and friends of tho deceased on Thursday night. Thero was a largo attendance, including tho Right Hon. Sir Joseph Ward (representing the Ministry), Messrs G-. Witty, T. K. Sidey. C. E. Statham, A. Walker, and J. M. Dickson, M.P.'s, H. Y. Widdowson (representing tho Nativo Minister), T. Asher (representing the Wairarapa tribes), Wi Nora (representing the Ma nawat u and Wellington tribes), J. Mill (Port Chalmers), and others. All the tribes in tho South Island were represented. Tho bowlers now assembled in Dunedin for tho annual dominion tournament wero represented by Mr O. Balk. Sir Joseph Ward loft Dunedin for Puketeraki by the second express for the north, and on arrival there proceeded to tho Huirapa Hall, whither tho body of Mr Parata had been conveyed. In the course of a brief speech ho paid a glowing tribute to the many excellent qualities of the deceased,, both as a legislator and las a private citizen, and expressed his deepest sympathy with the relatives in the sad loss they had sustained.

Portion of the service was taken in the Huirapa Hall, and was concluded at the graveside, the deceased being interred in tho family burial ground. The Rev. E. J. Neale, vicar of Waikouaiti, conducted the service. The pall-boarers were Sir Joseph Ward, Messrs G. Witty, M.P., H. Karetai, H. Wi Nora, H. Rupene, 0. Balk, 11. Kemora. T. Hipi. 11. Tipa, P. Porete, J. Heath, and T. Tipene. Telegrams of condolence were received from the Prime Minister (Mr Massey), other members of tho House of Representatives, local bodies, bowling clubs throughout New Zealand, and numerous personal friends of tho deceased and his family. The floral tributes were wreaths from the bereaved family, Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, tho Hon. W. H. Hemes (Minister of Nativo Affairs), tho Hon. T. Ngata, M.P. (Eastern Maori), and Mrs Nprata, Mr Tau Henare, M.P. (Northern Maori) and Mrs Henare, tho Dunedin members of Parliament, Mr Asher and family (Ta.uranga), Mr and Mra G-. Wittv. Mr 'and Mrs Overton (Christchuroh), Mr and Mrs J. R. R*aw (Auckland), tho Temuka Natives, and the members of tho Liberal party. A number of Maori mats were also sent from the North Island tribes. Tho reception and entertainment of the visitors were hospitably carried out under the direction of Mr Harry Parata.