CREMATION OF POMARE

Taranaki Daily News, 5 July 1930, Page 11

CREMATION OF POMARE

ATIAWA TRIBE DISMAYED SHOCK TO TRIBAL TRADITIONS. THE TANGI MAY BE ABANDONED. Receipt in North ' Taranaki of the news that the body of Sir Maui Pomare has been cremated has caused a wave of horror to sweep through the members of his tribe, and preparations which were being put in hand for a tangi on the return of his body tp its birthplace have been suspended. Sir Maui was born at Onaero, north of Waitara, and it was expected that after the funeral obsequies in the native fashion had taken place his remains would be deposited somewhere in. the vicinity of Urenui. The cremation of his body, however, has placed a ‘new complexion on the matter, and it is probable that a meeting of natives; will be held at Waitara during the coming week-end to discuss, the position. Many of the Maoris are of the opinion 'that the ashes should be kept in Wellington, as they are not wanted in Taranaki, Reports from Waitara confirm the news that the natives are shocked beyond words at the cremation, which has seriously offended one 'of their most sacred traditions. “We would sooner have a hair of his head,” said one Maori, "than the whole box of ashes.” • A Poverty Bay native, related to Lady Pomare, and recently arrived in New Plymouth, expressed his concern to a News representative yesterday. His name is H. Ranginui, better known as Joe. Edwards, and like Sir Maui Pomar© he is an old boy of Te Aute College. “The people of my race are pained' beyond words at the news/’ he said. “We hope and pray that such a custom .as cremation has been introduced for the first and last time. It would have been far better had Sir Maui been laid to rest in California than brought to New Zealand in ashes. I am speaking right from the bottom of my heart. I jean only quote to you a few lines of the famous poem dedicated to Sir Maui by an American friend when he sailed for New Zealand about 27 years ago, and which he has recited on numerous occasions'since, once I know at Te Aute College and one© at the funeral of Sir James Carroll. “Hail Maori land; hail .Mother land. Since last I saw thy shore 1 have travelled far on foreign strand and crossed the wide seas o’er. Though in me the life doth beat of mother’s Scottish sires, there is that impetuous Maori beat that sets my blood on fire.”