LATE SIR MAUI POMARE.

Wairarapa Age, 28 August 1930, Page 5

LATE SIR MAUI POMARE.

ASHES ARRIVE AT WATKANAT! MAORI RITUAL. WELLINGTON, August 27. The Ngatioa tribe began their mourning to-day when the ashes of Sir Maui Pomare arrived at Waikanae. The obsequies were marked by a wealth of Maori ritual and the firing of single rifle shots as the remains of the leader approached the pah. The special carnage which bore the ashes was taken to Waikanae as part of the Main Trunk express. There the engine shunted the carriage on to a loop line. The chosen ones gathered round and ;mced tee carved casket on a wooden carriage, 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 in the rear. In silence the procession left the station and a Maori woman game a Jong drawn cry. On arrival at the meeting house of the tribe, crowds of wailing women wearing green branches met the cortege. Chants of grief followed as an aged chief approached the casket. Then came speeches of lamentation and dances. The ashes will remain in a tent among fern leaves until mid-night to-morrow when they will be moved on to Waitara.—(P.A.)