HAORA TIPA.

Waka Maori, Volume 10, Issue 21, 20 October 1874, Page 266

HAORA TIPA.

An influential chief of Shortland, Auckland, has requested us to publish the following notice of Haora Tipa, principal chief of the Ngatipaoa tribe, who died on the 25th of September last:— Haora Tipa was the last of the old chiefs of the district of Hauraki, (Thames). All his people and " hapus " are overwhelmed with grief for his death; they bewail without ceasing the departure of their chief, who is lost to them in this world and gone to the next. The Lord lengtheneth days and the Lord shorteneth days. " The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away." This old man was not only a chief by descent, but he was a chief by his words and general character. He was the guardian spirit of this district of Hauraki and the director of its affairs; and he was the promoter and supporter among the people of love, charity, peace, and loyalty to our most gracious sovereign the Queen, whose influence o'er spreads the whole world. Shortly before his death he spoke much of these things, lest his people should trample them under foot after he was gone. He also gave expression to his feelings of warm friendship towards his friend in Port Nicholson, (Sir D. McLean), who would preserve this desirable state of things, and he desired his people in Hauraki to support him. Two. weeks before his death he called a meeting of his tribes at Hauraki to harken to his words of advice as above-mentioned, and they assembled together as he had requested them. He was an energetic supporter of Government influence in the Hauraki district, and always exerted himself in suppressing troubles within his boundaries. He accompanied his friend, the Native Minister, to use his influence with William Thompson, to put an end to the war in Waikato in 1863. He possessed intelligence and sagacity which enabled him to maintain order in his district down to the time when he and his words of wisdom passed away. He instructed his younger brother and his children to hold fast to the Government, that it might be as a guardian and parent to them. This old chief was always energetic in suppressing evil in his district, and in upholding the laws of the Queen among his people; and it was mainly through his exertions that war did not arise in Hauraki when the supremacy of the Government was asserted in the island—(i.e., during the war in "Waikato.) He was also earnest in supporting the Christian religion among his people ; and he wa3 very anxious for the establishment of a school in his neighbourhood for the instruction of Maori children. His memory will ever be revered for his good works to his people and his district. The above is sent in the midst of sorrow and trouble for the loss of our parent Haora Tipa. (Haora Tipa was believed to have reached the age of nearly 80 years.)