DEATH OF A MAORI CHIEF

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 132, 7 June 1932, Page 2

DEATH OF A MAORI CHIEF

THE PASSING OF HORI PUKEHIKA (Contributed) There was a great tangi held at, Pungarohu, near Parikino, for almost a week, over the death in the person of Hori Pukehika, known otherwise as George Puk, and who is known to bo one of the leading chiefs of the Wanganui Tribe. Great multitudes of natives, both friends and relatives, assembled there from far and near, to mourn and to manifest their exceeding respect to tho late gentleman, and to condole with the chief mourners in their bereavement, and that he died at the. age of 86. Hor Pukehika, as we all know, was an old veteran of some of the New Zealand Maori wars which occurred ih I bo western coast within the past years, against Hauhauism. Ho servido faith fully and bravely with the other Alaori soldiers under Afajor Keepa (Kemp) in i many campaigns, during tho reign of Her Afajcsty, the late Queen Victoria; ! and more so in the Moutoa Battle, up the Wanganui River, in 1864, where he also participated. And during tho recent Great War, the late gentleman made a strong effort ’in the arranging of Wanganui Alaori boys to go to the front to fight for their King and Empire, to serve together with their pakeha brothers, and to elevate the ( war-like blood of their ancestors. No doubt Hori Pukehika was exceedingly well known throughout these districts amongst tho pakehas and Maoris, and was well beloved by one : and all. He was a straight and honest . person; a man of his word. Parliamentary Alaori members within the past few years, such as the late Sir James Carroll, Sir A. T. Ngata, Peter Buck (Rangihiroa) ex-member; tho late Sir M. Homare, T. Henare, thought the i world of tho late gentleman; and whatever business in his personal, political matters, or otherwise, he puts before them to be conducted, they were always ready to help him. Even J :dge Brown assisted him greatly time after time, in dealing with land transactions, ho being so honest and a man of his word. Ho became a strong supporter and staunch member of tho Ratana movement, and greatly assisted T. W. Ratana in his substantial views in connection with tho Treaty of Waitangi, which had been talked about by T. W. Ratana within the past few years, tried all he could to exterminate things concerning same, whether tho Treaty of Waitangi is still alive or not. I On tho funeral day (Friday last I week) a great number of European friends asembled at Pungarohu to manifest their last respects to their beloved friend who has departed from this life. Amongst those present were: Judge Brown, Messrs Armstrong (Alayor of Wanganui), AlcFarlane. Gannon (N.Z.E.F.), chief clerk of A.N.L.8., H. Alarumaru, R. Bell. Their appearance on the scene was most impressive to one and all, and were cordially welcomed by tho natives in tho usual manner, and by special arrangement, A. P. Wcreta, of Alatahiwi, gave a speech of welcome on behalf of the natives and present, being interpreted by Mr G. Leech (A.N.L.8.), making some references as to the true faithfulness and steadfastness of Hori Pukehika to the Crown of England ever since from Her Alajesty, Queen Victoria’s reign, down to our present King; and that tho deceased was a true friend of the pakehas (Europeans) as well as that of the Alaoris. In return, Air Armstrong (Alayor of Wanganui) delivered a most impressive speech, making beautiful references of the past and present as to Hori Puke hika’s life, and fine character, known to be always friendly with Europeans, in great functions or otherwise, within the past, and faithful to the Empire ever since, and no doubt he will be missed by a wide circle of friends; and finally, he expressed his exceeding condolence for the widow and family in their bereavement, the Alayor being interpreted by Air G. Leech (A.N.L.8.) Judge Brown, also in return, de'livered a most pathetic address, making excellent references of the past, and present, as to Hori Pukehika’s life, character, his genuineness, friendliness at all times to tho Wanganui citizens, and in Land Court transactions ho always found the deceased to be real and substantial in all his dealings, therefore succeeded beautifully; and no doubt he found Hori to bo a man of his word, true in every department of life, and that he was in support of what had been spoken by tho Alayor previous to him, regarding the deceased gentleman. Haere e Hori, haero ra! The funeral service then commenced on tho Alarae, after the speech-making, conducted by tho Rev. Ap. Pereiha, mission chaplain and law secretary of the Ratana Church, who was specially asked by the members of the family to officiate. The members of the Kaiwhaiki choir, also members of the Ratana local choir, sang the well known Alaori funeral hymn, "Piko nei to matenga,” so solemnly and beautiful, assisted by two awliinas (assistants) from the Ratana community, namely Rawhinia Pereiha, Taura Keepa and Kui H. Turereqp, of which they wore tho authorised emblems and significations of the Ratana movoihent. Tho chaplain immediately gave an appropriate address to the occasion, taking that scriptural quotation, “Though he being dead yet speaketh,” and first supporting the references made by the previous speakers, tho Alayor and Judge Brown, and he, the speaker, made some references to some of Great Britain’s statesmen, such as Lord Nelson. Duke of Wellington, Lords Kitchener and Roberts, though they are already dead and gone, yet they arc yet speaking to this day; their good deeds do speak in our memory continually, and never forget. “Though he being dead ye|. speaketh.” Tho same with some of our notable men of the Maori race, known as To Kooti, To Whiti and Tohu, Potangaroa, who made some wonderful predictions, and such predictions have acutally conic to pass, already fulfilled. Their good deeds, their predictions, their elevating the dignity and rites of the Mauri people of New Zealand, are still existing in the minds of the Alaoris throughout, to this day, not forgotten. “Though he bring dead yet speaketh.” They are still speaking to this day, though they have already gone. Again oth.er notable chiefs of the Maoris, who wore wel known, especially Major Keepa (Kemp) nrc not forgotten in the minds of tho Alaori people, though they have already gone from our midst. Their good deeds and words are still speaking to this day. The same with our brother. Hori Pukohika (od:iv; he is mu dead, vet he

lix'-th. His goud character and deeds will speak after him, and will bo existing in the minds of one and all for all time. He may be dead in body, but ho is still alive as far ns his deeds and good character arc concerned. He will never bo forgotten. “Though ho being dead yet speaketh.” And immediately the procession pro coedcd to Ihe grave, the body being borne by tho pall-boarers, specially arranged—Messrs Gannon (N.Z.E.F.j, 11. Nehcmia, P. W. Alatiu, Al. Perepe, T. Tapa and W. Korowhiti, all returned soldiers of the N.Z.P.8., precoded tho Ratana awhinas and the chaplain. Tho service was continued at, the graveside, when ” was officiated partly in English and in Alaori. The deceased gentleman left a widow named Tira, witlua family of two sons, namely Hori and Tarawa (unmarried), and two daughters (married), namely Rawinia and Pango; and one daughter, the youngest, named Maro, is still single.