CENTENARIAN MAORI

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 532, 8 December 1928, Page 6

CENTENARIAN MAORI

DEATH AT 103 YEARS PIC V EER DAIRY-FARMER (Special to THE SUN) TE AROHA, Friday. Believed to be about 103 years of age, Hirawani Karawhui, has died at Waitoke, near Te Arolia. During the Maori civil war, between the tribes extending from the Thames coast to Matamata and the Taranaki tribes, Hirawani, who was then about 19 years of age, was in charge of the food supplies, and was responsible for the carriage of stores from Waitoki to Matamata, no mean job in those days. He was the pioneer of dairy farming in this district, having brought the first calf from Thames, by means of a canoe, which he brought up the Waihou River. Owing to the absence of food, the calf had to be fed on flour and water. Hirawani also acted as mediator between the Maoris and the Europeans in disputes oyer cattle. In those days there, were no fences, the cattle roaming where they pleased, and at times the task of satisfying everyone was extremely difficult. His decisions several times brought him into conflict with his fellow natives, and at one time they threatened him with death because his rulings were contrary to their opinions. To-day his sons and grandchildren are dairying on the land he brought under cultivation over 60 years ago. He Is survived by five sons and one daughter. There are over 20 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchilden.