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Waka Maori, Volume 11, Issue 4, 23 February 1875, Page 47

The Maoris throughout both islands have, doubtless, before now, heard of the death of their friend the Hon. Mr. Williamson, the lamented Superintendent of Auckland. He died at half-past two o'clock on the morning of Tuesday, the 16th of February instant. He came to this colony in IS4I. He started the New Zecilander paper in ISio, in which he always earnestly upheld the interests of the Natives of New Zealand. He had been five times elected Superintendent of Auckland. He first complained of feeling very unwell on his return from the Thames, on Wednesday the 10th, attributing his illness, which at first took the form of dysentery, to being exposed to the excessive heat of the sun during his stay at the Thames. His funeral took place on Saturday, the 20th. The procession was about a mile long. Over sixty carriages were in it. Both sides of the road along the route were thickly thronged with spectators of all ranks and ages. The balconies and verandahs were crowded. He was a true and earnest friend of the Maoris, and ever strove, to the utmost extent of his power, to advance their interests and to benefit their race. His age was fifty-nine years. The Maori, Nutana (Newton), convicted of the murder of a native girl named Henrietta, at Orakei, by breaking her neck, was executed on Friday, the 19th of February instant. Since his condemnation he has been very callous, and remarked when the gallows was commenced, "Kapai;" but on Thursday he was very dejected. He confessed to the liev. Mr. Pomare, native clergyman, that he committed

the murder exactly as indicated by the medical testimony, yet again lie denied his guilt on the scaffold. He died without a struggle. OO The Tauranga correspondent of the Hctioke's Bay -Herald says: —" There was a grand Maori demonstration on 31st January last, at the Temperance -Hall, on the occasion o£ discussing temperance questions. The meeting was represented by chiefs of every section of the Ngaiterangi tribe. Eloquent and impressive speeches were delivered, and resolutions passed denouncing the liquor traffic, and concluding with an urgent request for the establishment of Maori Templar lodges. Emperor of China died on the 12 th January. Alluding to the death of Iharaira Te Houkamau, a Pakeha newspaper says: old chief has departed this life. "We allude to Iharaira Te Houkamau, of the Ngatiporou tribe, East Cape. At the time of his ' death, which took place somewhat suddenly at Te Kawakawa, on the 3rd (of January) instant, the deceased was quite a venerable old man. He had, for many years, been justly held in the highest repute among his people for his goodness and kindness of heart Daring the frequent inter-tribal quarrels which occurred 011 the East Coast, some forty or fifty years ago, although he was then a young man, many a time his voice sw-ayed the councils of war. From the advent of the Pakeha he became a staunch adherent of the Government, 011 whose behalf his influence oi or his tribe was always directed. He was ever foremost among the chiefs in staying thoughts of session to the ranks of the rebels. And there are few Europeans, who have partaken of his hospitality, but will remember with regret the death of the Ngatiporou chief." The Whanganui Herald says that the up-river natives have an unusually prolific crop this year, and as they have also put in more wheat, corn, potatoes, and kumaras, there will be a very large surplus.' They have for some time been busy harvesting, and by this time most of their wheat wall probably be in stack. A fine mail steamer called the "Japan," has heen burned in the China Sea, with a loss of nearly 400 lives, principally Chinamen. The fire broke out about eleven o'clock on the night of the 17th of December. The crew put forth "every effort to subdue the flames, but notwithstanding their exertions the fire spread so rapidly that she had to be abandoned, which was done on the morning of the ISth. The "Japan " had twelve boats and a raft, but there was not time for those on board to get into the boats, and great numbers of the Chinese'had to jump overboard to escape the flames. A number who escaped in the boats were picked up by other vessels and conveyed to Hong Kong, a Chinese seaport town. The total number missing is 359 Chinese, and one or two Europeans. The number saved was about 125, of whom some thirty were Europeans. The "Japan" had a general cargo on board, and treasure in dollars to the amount of £7-i<,6SO. Specimens of moa bones have been found at Pukahu Ahuriri—tibia, 2ft. 2in. long, and femor about Ift. The bird must have been from Sft. to 10ft. high. Mr. Yogel arrived in London on the 19th of December.