FAMOUS FRIENDLY CHIEF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 189, 12 August 1931, Page 6

FAMOUS FRIENDLY CHIEF

DEATH SIXTY YEARS AGO. COUNSELLOR OF GOVERNORS. AUCKLAND, Aug. IL Sixty years ago to-day, on August 11, 1871, there was laid to rest at Russell the body of Tamati Waka Nene, the fine old Maori chief whose upright character and unswerving loyalty did so much to cement the friendship of the Maoris and the British in the early days of their association. It was computed that he was 85 years of age nt the time of his death, and thus he was a young man of 28 when the Rev. Samuel Marsden founded the first missionary settlement in the country. From that time to the day of his death Waka Nene never for an hour wavered in his friendship or withdrew his protection of the settlers. Waka’s death was described in th' New Zealand Herald at the time as a public loss, a loss to the Government and a personal bereavement to many European friends by whom he was sincerely and affectionately regarded.

At a verv early period of the settlement of this country he boldly stepped out from among his own countrymen as the champion of law and order, of right against wrong, and he was thr unflinching defender of the weak and helpless among persons of both races. He early embraced Christianity, and consistently made its principles the rule of his life.

Waka took a prominent part in suppressing the first native rebellion, and in all the Maori wars in the North he was the loyal and powerful friend of until pAnre was permnnent-

ly established. It was for his services to the British cause that he was granted an annual Govertment pension of £lOO, afterwards increased to £2OO.

As a counsellor and friend his opiu ion and advice were frequently sough: by successive Governors of the colony, and by none more so than by Sir George [Grey. He was also much in the confidence of the Hon. Donald McLean, Native and