The Tangi at Parawat.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8611, 16 March 1897, Page 2

The Tangi at Parawat.

The natives are enteiing iuto ♦he funeral obsequies with regard to the death of Taipari with their customary zeal. It is estimator that considerably over 10"3 natives are now assembled for the tangi, but as fresh contingents are constantly arriving, it is impossible to give auything like an accurate estimate.

Two telegrams hay.i been despatched to Mahuta, the Maori King, inviting him to tl.e tangi, but up to the present no answer has been received. The King's whereabouts are not definitely known, and as he i 3 constantly moving about, it is possible that he is at Kawhia or some place not easily-get-at-able. < The Paeroa natives arrived from Oliiuemuri at about noon to-day. They must-red /cry strongly, and wercgiven a great reception at the Rununga House. Provisions are being brought in from all parts. One native chief sent an order away for three tons of potatoes, which have arrived by steamer. Z

Yesterday a deputation of native chiefs, accompanied- by M> James Mackay, waited on the judge of the Native Land Court at Shortland, and asked that the sittings should be adjourned for a week on account of the death of W. H. Taipari. Mr Mackay pointed out that if the cases were gone on with in the absence of the natives, who he might say felt it their primary duty to attend the tangi, there would probably be complaints that not being in attendance was" prejudicial to their claims. Mr Mackay also pointed out that at the tune the majority of natives were Hau-haua and obstructive to settlement the deceased chief was the first to request tho Judge of the Native Land Court to hold a sitting at the Thames, and he assisted in a great measure to carry out that project. An adjournment was th n granted until Monday next.

The mortal remains of Taipari were yesterday conveyed from his pi ivate residence to the Rununga House. They will be interred at Totara on Sunday next.