OBITUARY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LI, Issue 16921, 30 December 1925, Page 7

OBITUARY.

, DEATH OF OLD MAORI LAT>>'. DESCENDANT OF LEADING CHIEF. "The death occurred yesterday afternoon of one of the oldest and most vcspeetedi Maori ladies of this district, Mrs Jtewiri Karaha, at the age of 75 years. •The deceased was a daughter of Hetekia Haronga, and a graridklaughter of Tarnai Hiki Tn Ra'ugi, (he leading chieftain of the local natives and) father of the well-known Hirini To Kani. Her first husband' was Hetekia, and some time after His d'e.ith she married Karaha. The deceased had two children, Rangitiia, the well-known , musician, who died in England some years ago. and Mrs H. Hei, of Gisborne, Throughout her lifetime Mrs Karaha was recognised as a rangatira. among local natives, and it was to her that they invariably looked for advice and guidance. She was the organiser and leader of many Maori functions, and her kindly disposition endeared her to everyone with whom she came in contact' From childhood she was noted for her loyaltv to the Government, and for her kindly feelings towards the Europeans. During the great war she "was a' prominent worker, and enlisted ' many recruits for the native regiments. Her death will come as a great blow to I raeinbefs of the Maori race, and ref/moves a'cldso lin'f iri the early settlemerit of'Poverty t'av. ■■-, JTJie funeral will leave the Kaiti pa at 3 o'clock to-morrow afternoon for the Makaraka cemetery.