FUNERAL OF A MAORI CHIEF.

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

FUNERAL OF A MAORI CHIEF.

LARGE GATHERING AT THE

MAORI PAH

(From "Tho Colonist," 6. May.)

Tho remains of the late Maori chief, Hemi M-atonga, were yesterday afternoon, laid to rest in the Nati ro cemo-

tery, near Pippin's Island, alongside those of his late v/ife Huria Mat-engi ("the Grace Darling of New Zealand"') who died threo years ago last month. Apart from the gouieraJ interest taken in Maori customs by the pakeha, tho departed chief was well and favourably known in Nelson, consequently the largo concourse of people ■which assembled, at tho Maori Pah yesterday to pay thear last tribute of respect to tho deceased, was not altogether unexpected. It would indeed be difficult to estimate the number of people who travelled tho Wakapuaka road yesterday, but it must nave been between two and threethousand, while a number proceeded from Nelson and from the Sounds by ci! launch. Every possible imviris of locomotion had been requisitioned to convey visitors to the Pah, including cabs, expresses, carriages and motor cars., while some hundreds cyclM out. Kop-rc-sentative Natives, including tha relatives of the decca&ed, were present from -•ill parts of New Zealand end elaborate preparations were made to carry out the Native custojr.s ?.t the funeral obsequies a large marquoo being erected to accommodate the relays of visitors at the customary feast following the burial.

The body of tue dead chief was lying in state in s. tout on the lawn opposite his la to residence, and was wat-ahed o'.'or by Native women. The oak eo.skot in which tho deceased wr.s laid was a very'handsome-one, wiih .silver mountings, and boro the following inscription : "Mcmi Matenga Wa-ipunahau, Inate 26, Opcjrira. 1912, Onatau 76," and tho words, "At Ik-st."

Before t-ho- funeral procession" started, a Native delivered en oration- oxtolling the merits of th?, 'departed chief, his remarks being; interpreted by tlio Rev. F. A. Bennett. A portion of the burial service was then read by the Yen. Archdeacon Grar<> and the Rev. F. A. Bennett, a:id amidsii tioiuids of lamentation from tl'io Maoiis tho cortege, followed by the; forgo concourse of people,* proceeded to tho burying ground, where the deceased-was laid at rest. A number of beautiful Maori mats were also deposited in tire grave. Addresses were delivered to the Maoris by the Rev. ¥. A. Bennett, mid to the' pakshas by the Yen. Archdeacon Grace.

On returning to tJio Pah, Hira "Parata addressed tho aMemblage, as did the liev. Bennett, who, in the course of his Remarks said that in no part of New Zealand lutel ho soea such friendship bofcweon the onkeha and. tho Maoris as in Mels-on. Mr. Bennett also referred to the gallant exploit of the doceased'.s lat<> wife, Huria Matenga, in rescuing tho crew of the Delaware.

The Mayor (Mr. T. A. H. Field) also referred-to; what had been said regarding tlie feeling that existed between the Maoris and tbje pakehas. He 'mentioned that at the time of tho wreck of tho Delaware, the Maori war was in progress, and notwithstanding this fact tha Nfati'ves assisted in the rescue of the whito people! No doubt their action on that occasion accounted far the good feeling that existed between tha two zaces.

Tiie vi&itors were then invited to partake of refreshments, accommodation being provided for relays of 75 people at a time, and a large number of those presr-nt a railed, themselves of tho opportunity of participating jn tho usual Maori custom. ;

Amonfj; those prcTfMvfc wcro tlifi Ifnyors of Xcl«)ii and .IJichmond (Mr. Jas. Hunt), th« Town Clork (Mr. G. A. EJ-mo-nd:;), and inpnilwj-s of various local bodies end prominent citizens. As mentionod el?e\vhore the Hon. W. T). S. Macdona.d (Isativo Minister), tlio Hon. G. Lauronson (Minister for Labour), aoid Mr. H. Atmore, Jl.]'., visited the Pah in t>.o morning to pay their respects. The funeral arrangements woro in .-harge'of Messrs. G. Fleming- and Sons.