MOURNING FOR DEAD LEADER

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1930, Page 11

MOURNING FOR DEAD LEADER

POMARE’S ASHES AT WAIKANAE. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Ngatitoa tribe began it§ mourning to-day when the ashes of Sir Maui Pomare arrived at Waikanae. The obsequies were marked by wreaths, Maori ritual and the firing of single rifle shots as the remains of the leader approached the pa. The special carriage which bore the ashes was taken to Waikanae as paTt of the Alain Trunk express. The engine shunted the carriage on to the loop line. Tjie chosen ones gathered round and placed the carved casket on a wooden carrier manned at each end. A fifth Maori led, grasping a taiaha or ceremonial spear, and slowly they bore the ashes away. Lady Pomare and her children followed, while other mourners and several members of Parliament brought up the rear. In silence the procession left the station. A Maori woman gave a longdrawn cry and the crowd fell in behind on the march to the meeting House of the tribe. Crowds of wailing women waving green branches met the cortege. Chants of grief followed as the aged chief approached the casket. Then came speeches of lamentation and dances. The ashes will remain in a tent among fern leaves until midnight to-morrow, when they will be moved on to Waitara.