AGED MAORI’S DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, 11 May 1933, Page 12

AGED MAORI’S DEATH

GREAT BARRIER RESIDENT.

DAUGHTER OF NOTED WARRIOR.

The death has occurred at her home at Kawa, Motairehe, Great Barrier Island, of a greatly respected Maori woman, Mrs. K. Davies. She was over 90 years of age. Mrs. Davies had been almost blind for the past few years, but otherwise retained her good' health and faculties until her death. It was stated at the graveside that Mrs. Davies was better known as Mirika, of Kawa, Great Barrier Island- Her father was Kewene, a noted Maori warrior of Waipiro Bay, East Coast, and her mother was Takaau, of the Ngatimaru tribe (Thames). Her grandparents were of the Ngatimaru and Ngatiwai (northern) tribes. • :

Mrs. Davies was born on the Great Barrier and had 12 children. She • was first married to Ngawaka. Three children of this marriage are alive. Later she married Kino Davies, and four children of this union are now living. She is survived by seven children, 49 grandchildren and 55 great-grandchildren. Deceased was noted for her kindness and hospitality, one incident of note being at the time of the wreck of the Wairarapa, when she took into her home some of the survivors and cared for them until they could leave.' A speech of welcome was given on behalf of the family to the visitors who had come to pay their last respects to Mirika. The speech stated:—“A special welcome is extended to the representatives of the older-established pakeha families of the Barrier—the Paddisonfe. Flinns, Warrens, Le Roys, Coopers, Sa»dersons, Edlingstons, Mabeys, Medlands, Gascoigne and other Barrier settlers. These pioneering families came to the island in the early days and settled alongside the Maoris peacefully, each helping the other in many ways. Although most of the older members on both sides have passed away, the peaceful and harmonious relations have been kept up by the descendants, who were playmates friends in their youth, almost like brothers and sisters.”

Mrs. Davies’ family consists of Nuper* and Tame Ngawaka, of Motairehe, an® Hemi Ngawaka, of Tauranga, WilllaSfe Davies, of Manunui, and Mahon and H^ - kata and Miss Kiri Davies, of Motairen®,