THE LATE CHIEF HAKOPA THATAOTA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4793, 10 September 1883, Page 3

THE LATE CHIEF HAKOPA THATAOTA.

The subject of this obituary was born in Kaiapoi, it is said, about the year 1782. He was present at tbe " Bauperaha " war, Ban* peraha being the ohief that led the North Island Natives against the Middle Islanders, when Kaiapoi was invaded by a oanoe fleetnow over 60 years ago. The inoident is comparatively fresh in the minds of many of the present inhabitants of the "pah," from whom . these partioulars are procured. The pi?*) 32 the invading foroe at this particular instance | w-. to obtain admission to the Kaiapoi pah fe» ' stratagem, and in order to do this terms Wero entered upon. While these treacherous arrangements were being made, the invaders broke the truce, and oommenoed a deadly encounter with the Kaiapoi Natives. It may be mentioned that the former wero armed with guns, while the latter had the use only | of the orude instru_i<- .its of savage warfare".* Hakopa found out by some means tbe intention of the invaders, and immediately made fight against them, seizing their oommander r and in a fearful enoounter suooeeded in killing him and many others. For this aotion Hakopa is naturally held in great respect, Jho Northerners were so oonfused by the quiok manoeuvres of their opponents, that they were compelled to retreat, and a year or so elapsed ere an attempt was made to revenge the loss sustained. On this seoond oooasion, although more ably planned, Hakopa was again suooessful in repulsing his enemies, not only by hia intrepid courage, but also by his great warlike skill and ability. The protective works and the pah were, however, set on fire, ahd Hakopa was ultimately taken prisoner, conveyed to the North Island, and detained there for many years. When released from captivity, it waß at the suggestion of the first English missionary who visited New Zealand. Beforeleaving the North Island, he was educated by Bishop Hadfield and brought up in the Churoh of England faith. Upon his return to Kaiapoi his eduoation and oxperienoe commanded considerable respeot among the residents of the pah, and he was instrumental in introducing eduoation and religious instruction among his fellowß, He, in conjunction with the Bey Mr Stack, founded the ohurch of St Stephen, and from those associations the Natives have deoided to place his remains in the preoinots of the above-named ohurch. When the death of this illustrious ohief became known, many Natives came to Kaiapoi from all parts to hold their "tangi," or "wake" over him, whioh haf been oontinued without intermission sinoe Ihursday last, the day of his death. The funeral will take place ot the pah at 8 o'oloolc to-day, when a full Maori servioe will be given, whioh will be conduoted by the Beys Mutu and Te Kote. The former clergyman will preach a funeral sermon touohing upon, the achievements, many good qualities, and life of the deoeased ohief. The dead warrior was lying in state yesterday at his late residence, and was visited by some hundreds of persons. The Natives in attendanoe took muoh delight in giving every information as to his age and warlike deeds in days now long gone by.