HEMI MATENGA.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 1 (Supplement)

HEMI MATENGA.

(From -"The Colonist," April 27.)

Tho death occurred yesterday aftcrinoon at the' Pah, Wakapuaka, of Mr ; James Martin, better known as Heini Matenga, after a lengty,illness. Hemi Matenga was a chieftain of considerable note. He was the only brother of tho> Into Wi Parata.-JCakakura, the wellknown chief, and at one time Native Minister, who died some years ago. The, brothers wero sons of a, famous Maori ehiei'tamess, Waipunaahau, who married one of the early whalers. Mr. Stnbbs, the owner of a. whaling station at Kapiti Island. The sons were born on Motu Ngai'ara, a small island at the ■south end of Kapiti, where tho large whaling station was situated. Mntengn wap born about 1839. He was educated under Bishop Sehvyn at the Native Collego at Auckland, and he afterwards took tip his.residencQ at Wakapuaka. Jfa married Huria Matehsa (Julia Martin) known as tho Grace Darling of New Zealand, from her heroic rescue of the crs-w of the brigantinc Delaware, which was wrecked close to the pah at Wakapuaka. Mr. Martin was a man highly respected in the community, and he.held several honourable- positions. He was ■a member with the Native Trust Board [in. connection with th© Public Trust i Office, and of the board of trustees of Otnki Maori College. He was also for a number of years a member of the? Nelson i D'rcosan Synod as one of tho represeut- ! ativo.y of the Native "race. His wife died two years ago, and shortly after he.r dentil .nil oil painting of her was publicly j ?:;ibr.cri'.Kxl for, and it, has been placed lin the Sutcr Art gallery. Mr. an<j Mrs. I Martin for many years hospitably entertained visitors to the Maori Pah. Their kindness being abused at times, led to rv curtailment of the privilege of visiting thf- r*ah. Mr. Martin was of a quiet and retiring disposition.