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Waka Maori, Volume I, Issue 24, 15 March 1879, Page 338

The funeral of the late chief Karaitiana Takamoana, M.H.R., took place on Saturday, the Ist of March, at Pakowhai. The service was performed by the Rev. Samuel Williams. There was a very large attendance both of Europeans and Natives, The body was interred in a brick vault, standing about 6 ft. in height and 4 ft. in breadth, the length being about 9 ft. In consequence of the body having been kept a long time a second coffin had to be made, into which the first coffin containing the body was put. It was covered with black cloth and edged with gilt; a wreath of real flowers encircled the head, and huia feathers were stuck all round. The inscription on the plate was as follows:—" Sacred to the Memory of Karaitiana Takamoana, M.H.R. Died 24th February, 1879. Aged 48."

The old chiefs of Ahuriri are rapidly passing away those of the olden time. Te JMoananui,' Puhara, Te Hapuku, and others—all have gone. They were the friends of the pioneer settlers of Ahuriri, with whom they uniformly maintained the most amicable relations. In those days they were

comparatively happy, and the only " grievance" which ever disturbed the even tenor of their lives was an occasional dispute about the weight of a pig, j a bag of wheat, or a bundle of flax, when bartering with the traders. But then, in those halcyon days, they never troubled themselves with politics and the thousand and one other matters which, at a later period, made their lives miserable; neither were they plagued by Native Ministers and Repudiation lawyers. The only chiefs of note now remaining are Tareha and Eenata Kawepo. The latter is a man whose influence in the district is great, and, without doubt, now that Karaitiana is gone, it will be much greater. Karaitiana's people will require a man of age, experience, and honesty to guide them ; and we think they could not do better than to put themselves under the guidance of Eenata Kawepo. "We do not expect they will do this: nevertheless, we repeat that they could not do better. He is a man possessed of great intelligence and strength of character, and is not at all likely to allow himself to be led away by scheming adventurers, be they who they may. In referring to those who have gone from among us it is proper to speak with sympathy and kind feeling—their failings should be forgotten and' their virtues remembered. In speaking of the late Karaitiana, therefore, it is with all kindness and sympathy that we say we think the intricate net of debt and difficulty which he had woven around himself had much to do with his, comparatively speaking, early death. The trouble and strain upon his mind no doubt brought on the illness which has resulted in his decease. During late years he has spent thousands of pounds in fruitless endeavours to secure prosperity for himself and his people, but only succeeded in getting still more involved in debt and difficulty. The only result of all his efforts was that the management of his lands passed into other hands ; his flocks gone, the wool money always going to another —and that other constantly requiring more. These things we know preyed upon his mind, and, together with the bitter disappointment of his expectations with regard to the Native policy of the present Ministry, brought on an illness which has resulted fatally. He has left his people involved in heavv debt, instead of being, as they should be, very comfortably off. The Natives of Ahuriri have derived but little benefit, it' any, from the increased value of land in that district. Their riches have gone to lawyers and nominal friends, and they are now pour. It is calculated that since Mr. Sheehan started the Repudiation office in Napier the expenses of the " movement, up to the present time, have been over. twenty thousand pounds ; and yet, not a single case has been gained!