THE MAORI CHIEF TUTUKI. TANGI AT THE PAH.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 291, 18 August 1888, Page 2

THE MAORI CHIEF TUTUKI. TANGI AT THE PAH.

During the week a tangi has been bekl at the pali over the Maori chief Tutuld, oF Ngathwhiri, who died on Sunday lasfc from old age. A great number of natives attended the tangi, the tribes being represented as follows : — Ngatimaru, with their chiefs Hoani Nake, Mango, Pepene. Matui, Poono, and others ; Ngati Tamatera, with their chiefs Naira Tarevanri and others, ftlcn native*! from Coromandel. Tutuki was a great chief who had moved in many adventures and was very old, his age being set down by the Maoris at 124. He was highly resppcted by all the natives in the island, and was chief of four tribes, viz. : Ngati Hikairo, Ngati M ah angi, Ngati Mahuta, and Ngati Hurumaungiani. He had seen Captain Cook when a boy, at Coromandel, and was one of the defenders of the Tolara Pah near Shortland, when ifc ■was attacked by Hongi, the great Ngapuhi chief. (This was after his visit to England where he had been presented by King George with a quantity of firearms and powder, which he freely used against his countrymen on his return), lie was severely wounded in this engagement. Tutuld afterwards too a leading part in retaining Te Aroha against Waikato and Tauranga natives. The remains of old fortifications used in this warfare may still be seen in the Te Aroha district. Tutuki's last words to those around him were :—": — " Be kind and good : listen to what your old father says," King Tsvwhino and a number of natives from the Waikato were expected to join in the tnngi, but they havo nob yet arrived. The final ceremonies consequently are being held over ponding their arrival.