The Late Manihera RAngitakaiwaho.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XVIII, Issue 1692, 10 June 1885, Page 2

The Late Manihera RAngitakaiwaho.

*- On Saturday night last, at P ipawai, near Grey town, Manihera llangitnkaiwaho, a native chief, died, who was well-known throughout the who'e ot the Wairarnpa as cue who had been a firm friend to the Government during the native disturbances that troubled the colony some years back. The following particulars will he iut> resting to many of tho settlers, especially those who have spent their best days in the district. Manihcra was born in tho Wairarapa and at an early ago was sent to Missionary Williams’ school at Waercngaahika, Gisborne, where ho received a fair secular and religious education. Before he got through bis studies Tutapakihirangi, then chit f of the Wairarapa, in 181 1, wont end brought him borne. J.t was owing to this chiefs inlliu-i.ee wc wire told that Messrs Lidwill, Clifton, m>! ‘ V.i-rtnU, were enabled to take up land in ibo Wairarapa, and it was ho who Manihcra in order ilmt bo inigh; t dm bis^ 1 place as cbiof of i!m tub.*. Ain 1 Tnup-ikihi-rangi, was drowned at the iimoiii of tho Lake in 18-JG, Mmjbera beoimm ciiiii and with the above F.iiropi an sold i - Micccosfally managed affairs. Sir ll.maW Mela .m ailed Manihcra and backed him, Wi Kingi and Lianieraup in 1 ti.-ir wok. Through liua-c t’n o natives the Gimminent sum-peed in get :i 4 the Dative lauds for sills. ,Ma.dlera .nd lhaia were lire liirl unlive- in the Vt.urni ■j 11 who were allowed to sit up m tho bench to watch tliu interests >.l tiu ii own pcop'i, Manihera worked amicably with Sir ibenM McLean all through the Lvulluiis turns and it was by the iulluetiee of the former tbal the Government gut land outside bin e.ivu district; he went to Napier and Tareha and llapuku, two noti-blo cliio’r. to’ open up the land intbe Hawke's Ihy district. It was principally through (heir inllm ncc that the Wairarapa setllcis 1 scaiied trouble during the war with the natives in Taranaki aim other parts. Nearly every Maori at that time joined the lliuiluus and the Maori King, and theic was much bitter feeling displayed towards Europeans, but Mauiheri sty-ml firm and wmld not allow himself to be drawn into lighting, atni th- ugh « the relations were strained ” the district enjoyed peace all through. Many years ago Manihera gave too acres of land to Hie Government upon which to erect a native col ege or school. It was fhe spot where Mr Varaksin at present resides. Maniliera always considered that tho Government hud not acted straightforward in this matter aud during his last days he often spoke of tiie alleged agreement to erect the budding not being carried out. Manihcra was one M die fust Native Lauds Court assessors appointed, at d was also appoioled 1.1 ad wi.ii the Native Commissioner i 1 all questions teluting to Native Affairs. It was through him that the roads running through the Tc Ore (he blocks—the one to Castle Point and the other to the Tauwu—• were passed through the Court. In connec. tiou with this business there was nearly lighting. iheMastertou natives beiug strongly opposed to the opening up of the roads. The llauhau natives built a lighting pah called Takitimu at Mastertou. The West Coast and Hawkes Bay Haubaus came to this pah and succeeded in getting nearly all the Wairarapa natives to join them. The situation was critical and tho troopers were called out. The Haubaus refused to leave and fighting seemed unavoidable, when Manihera and lhaia ashed Mr Wardoll and the commander 0! the troopers for three days’ grace and they would do their best to stop any fighting. These two chiefs wont to tho pah and they succeeded in persuading the Haubaus to leave the district. All through Manihera has been loyal to ths Government, fair George Grey recognised this and some years ago paid a visit to Manihera at Papawd, w.uti there was n great meeting- Ji-mrhvMi Jeet uis

wife at GisTi.-nu : hv her be had fourteen children aud out oi i.mGr only ihr.'o survives. By Lis present wife he had eight, but they are all Jt-ad. The whole of his deceased children are buritd nt iGpav- o ; where f-.-r the last few years, he lies been living in quiet retirement, ire grieved irouh over the deaths in the family and i.ev-r appeared to he living apart fn-m tire n-m. mTrance of them, firs second wife is still living. For about twelve years lie has been suUe-riup with hereditary scrofub usousumption, and medicines were of no avail. A little after Ift o’eT>ck last Saturday night he breather Lis .a.-t. lie was a vtry abstemious man and his knowledge of st-rii tur-t- would pat many a European Church member to the blush. There has been great mourning ov< r his death and large mtinbsts of Maoris from all parts have visited Pipawai to hold the castomery tan-gi nu-rtl.e lord. Mamhera has left a wi.l in fiver of his wife, daughter and two sons. The power of chief he has delegate 1 ms is custoraery among the Natives) to Wi Mai.ui-nku, who wi’l see to all matters connu-tid with the tribe. The questions relating to land in dispute between the Natives ana the Government lias been delegated to Wi Mduii'iiku and J. A. Jury. Telegrams announcing the diatii have been sent to Mr Ballance, the Native Minister, Major Kemp, Hen are Tomoana, late M.H.K., Renata Kawepo (Toth of Napiei), Heueru Matua. uf Poring than ; Hcnare Potie. of Gisborne, Sir George Grey, r.nd Mr Wardell A large numler of invintio.ns have also I con sent.to old settle: sin the Wainrapa. In consideration of the services rendered to the Govt-run cut in the troublous times in the past by Mar.ihera wc think his memory should ti perp-tuated in some way, and wowould suggest that tli- )•resent administration should erect a im-numeut over his grave.