OBITUARY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXVI, Issue 17809, 5 March 1920, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MRS GREGOR McGREGOR. It is with much regret we record the death of Mrs Gregor McGregor, which took place at her resilience I yesterday morning. The demised Iliad not enjoyed the best of health for some little time past, but her death was quite unexpected. Tne announcement caused quite.a feeling of gloom throughout the co.nmitnity, the late Mrs McGregor having I for many years been well and iaIvcurably known from the part, she itock. in various matters of public 'interest. A chieftainess of the Ngapoutama and Ngatirangi tribes, Mrs McGregor, better known to her people as Pura Makirika, was held in the highest esteem. As a young woman she was prominent, and the fighting spirit of her forefathers evidenced itself in the fact that she was in the forefront of the fighting in various engagements during the Maori war. She has been specially mentioned for the part she took in the To Kooti chases. When quite a girl she, with five other girls, was ■ chosen by the late Major Kemp to accompany him when he, with his people, went in pursuit of Te Kooti, up the river, thence across country to the Waikato, through the Urewera, and out to Opotiki on the East Coast. She travelled the whole distance on foot, and underwent great hardships, it. was she who led the war dances, and at. Waireka (she ! climbed a tree under fire and hoisted the Union Jack, for which her people petitioned the Government to grant her a medal. It was not the wish of ;her people, nor of herself, that she should receive any pension, but. be- ! ing the last of the warriors alive, they wished that she be recognised for her bravery. When the request was refused the elders were very disappointed, and intended to further petition Parliament on the matter. As conditions became more settled and the spirit of enmity subsisting between the Maori atid the Pakeha became less and less pro- ■ nounced, she became associated with ‘ movements which were for the benefit of the Pakehas as well as for her own people. In her association with • the European community Mrs McGregor soon became the object of esteem ; I among them, and she has at all times j been a welcome visitor in all gatherM ings. Her dignity and courtesy made j her an outstanding example of our [Splendid native race. She lias thus j been a great help in the associating [Of the Maori people with movements [instituted by the European commu--1 nity. 'Whether taking part in the [native gatherings held from time to time, or in the committee meetings lof Pakeha associations, she was i equally al home. Mrs McGregor has always worked for the uplift of her people, and has instanced in her own life the possibilities inherent in the native race. Living according to European custom, she has never deserted her own people, and they have I honoured her for it. As an indica- I ition of her standing in the comma-: | nity, Mrs McGregor was instrumen tai in recent years in enlisting the 1 help of the local and up-river natives I in the work of the Beautifying So- [ ciety. and our readers will call to mind the splendid effort which was 1 put forward by the natives in pro- 1 (viding a magnificent, entertainment: 'and consequent augmenting of the j [Society's funds. Mrs McGregor, it I I will be remembered. was elected; [Queen of the Carnival, the vote tes-| itifying to the esteem in which she, j was held by both races. The out- | | break of the Great. War gave her a ■ [splendid opportunity for service, and [ I early in the day she was working I [for the cause of lhe wounded and I [suffering. Helping all organisations, j [she especially centred her efforts m I |the Pntiki Maori Ladies’ (Branch) ' I Lady Liverpool 'League, a body of I Maori ladies who achieved a splendid effort. From time to time workI ing bees were instituted, sales of I work held, and a series of splendid : Maori entertainments, given one time I the object being the Salvation Army, [another the Y.M.C.A., and others for : the benefit of the local Maori lads who went to the front. At all times 'she was a source of inspiration to I the workers who were associated ■ with her. Il will be remembered . that Mrs McGregor was invested with i the 0.8. E. as a mark of appreciaI tion of her efforts in this respect. [While ready to lead in the fiery haka II or the quiet poi, she was not one to icourt publicity, and she was ready ■ lat all times to share the honours j with her associates. Her passing :is a sad reminder of the fact that 'time is fast bearing away the pio- • i neers, and such as Mrs McGregor lean ill be spared. Her people will ' ' miss her. and if anything the Euro- ! pean section of the community more jso. Airs McGregor’s life was one of '! strenuous effort'throughout, yet her j upright bearing belied her .great age. i Such can ill be spared when efforts : are being made to inspire the native [ race with a greater hope and the PaI keha with a realisation of his dul y Ito assist them. Her memory will ; last for long days yet to be. and in [all time it will be said of her. “She. [being dead, yet speaketh.” The late < Mrs McGregor, who was the wife of I Mr Gregor McGregor, manager of the Moriikau Farm, was 7>orn at Karatia. Wanganui River. She was a daughter of the late Mrs S. H. Manson. A husband and two grown-up sons are left to mourn her loss, and they will have the sympathy of a very wide circle of friends in their bereavement. At the deceased’s expressed wish no tangi wiTT be held, and her people will doubtless realise that giving heed to her desire is in their best interests at the present time. The funeral will take place to-flay at : 2.30 p.m.. when the remains will be i interred in the old cemetery.