MRS. ROMEO BAILEY’S DEATH

Taranaki Daily News, 30 January 1934, Page 3

MRS. ROMEO BAILEY’S DEATH

FUNERAL AT WAITARA YESTERDAY DAUGHTER* OF HEMI PATAKA. Many relatives and friends attended the funeral of Mrs. Romeo Bailey, wife of Taitoko Bailey, which was held at the Waitara cemetery yesterday. The Revs. Maioha { and Moki conducted the ceremony. A well-known Taranaki chieftamess, Mrs. Bailey, was the daughter of Hemi. Pataka, better known as “Big Jim.” Hemi Pataka’s ancestral home was Maungakahia pa, ndw partly demolished by the quarry at the bend of the Devon Road, near the foot of “Big Jim’s” Hill. In the Waitara branch of the Ngatiawa tribe Hemi Pataka was a man of rank. He was of striking proportions, fully tattooed, and looked every inch the old warrior. Together with others of the Ngatiawa tribe he followed the fortunes of Te Rauparaha when he went south on his conquering raids, the Atiawa taking possession of the country round Blind Bay, in the Nelson, district and'Marlborough Sounds. Returning later to his old home in 1848 with a large body of tribesmen he settled at Maungakahia pa. Hemi Pataka was an ally, of the Government' in the dispute with Wiremu Kingi over the sale of the Waitara block, which led to the Maori War in 1860-61. With his brother Hori (George), he acted as a guide to the British troops during that campaign, which included the dis- ' astrous affair at Puketakueri in June, 1860. Hemi Pataka came down in a line of chieftain rank from the arrival of the first six canoes under Kupe.