OBITUARY NOTICES.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 17, 25 August 1874, Page 215

OBITUARY NOTICES.

In our obituary published in this issue will be found the names of Tahana Turoa, Te Matenga Peraro, Pene Te Poakaroro, and Tutehourangi. Tahana Turoa was a son of old Pehi Turoa of Upper Whanganui. At one time he was a determined opponent of the Europeans, but in after years he became a staunch and devoted ally of the Government. He was appointed as a Native Assessor, and was as active in supporting the law, as he had previously been in opposing it. He was attended by Dr. Earle, of Whanganui, but his case was hopeless. His last words were; —" Adhere to the Europeans and be friends." Te Matenga Peearo was a man much beloved by his tribe, the Whauau-a-te-Hutu, for his general kindness of disposition and the interest he took in the welfare of his people ; he was seldom heard to utter an angry word. He was a great upholder of law and order. He had been ailing from the commencement of May last, and on the 25th July, he was, at his own request, brought in a whale boat from Whakatane to Te Kaha, his usual place of residence, so that he might die at his own home. He had been at Whakatane with the party who erected at that place the carved house mentioned iu the Wa7ca Maori of June 30th. On the 29th July it was seen that he was sinking fast. Turning to his people he chanted the following lines, and immediately breathed his last ;—r " My hour is come, I go, I go, Far, far beyond the realms of gloom ; Down where the streams of darkness flow, From the foundations of the tomb. Down with the darkling wave I sail, Into those thrice-mysterious spheres— Farewell, my people ! Cease to wail, Restrain those unavailing tcai-s." His body was carried to the grave by sixty men of his tribe; their bodies being divested of clothing, excepting only a shawl girdled round the waist of each. The coffin was followed by a firing party of 150 men, who kept up a continuous firing as they went along, for a distance of three miles. These were followed by all the inhabitants in the district, who mustered in great numbers from the various settlements —men, women, and children. There was great feasting on the occasion for a week or so. Pexe te Poakaroiio, we are informed, was a " man of consequence and a grandchild of Turangapeke." He was followed to the grave, wc are told, by some forty Europeans who " respected him greatly, and expressed great sympathy for his widow Mary Pene." Most disgraceful scenes having occurred at certain other Native funerals amongst the drunken mourners (?), intoxicating drinks were strictly prohibited on this occasion by llangiauru, and everything passed off quietly in consequence. Tttteiiourangi was a chief of Upper "Whanganui, greatly respected by his people, who were invariably guided by his directions in all matters respecting their welfare as a tribe. He died at Manganuia-te-Ao, an up river settlement, on his return from the town of Whanganui, where he came to see Mr. Richard Woon, the Resident Magistrate. LAMENT FOR TUTEHOURANG-I. Composed by nis sistee Te Kttea Kahemobeeo. (Translation versified by Geoege H. Wilson, author of "Ena, or the Ancient Maori.") Sleep, O ! sleep, in peace at last, Now the race of life is past; By thy native stream thou'rt laid, 'Neath thy lov'd trees' fragrant shade.

Thou art gone where never more Winter's loud and boisterous roar Shall disturb thy spirit's rest, On high Tongariro's crest — Round whose weird wild craggy peak Flashes now the lightning streak; Gilding with a moment's glare Torn and chasmed elfin stair ; Lighting with a phantom torch Thy spirit on its homeward march. And the hollow thunders roll A requiem to thy warrior soul— The great, the good, the brave alone, Dare tenant Tongariro's cone. And the snow and hail are come, Heralds from thy serial tomb, Bearing witness to thy birth, First and greatest of the earth. Though we mourn, O ! Tu, for thee, Deep and sore in agony, Yet we cry, O turn thee West! Seek thy parent's sheltering breast; On its calm sky-shadowed brow, Rest, O ! rest, thy spirit now. When grim war, or wicked strife, Demanded life exchanged for life, Like the Taniwha wert thou, Rolling back the battle's brow. In council thou wert wise and great— Gifted, eloquent, sedate. But thou'st gone—the birds no more Sing at dawn along the shore ; Bitter grief in silence holds Their wonted joy in wintry folds. Sleep, O! sleep, Kanihi's pride— Cold Whakaniko's turf may hide Thy mouldering form, O! Tu—yet we Shall ne'er forget to honour thee.