OBITUARY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 12, 16 January 1939, Page 6

OBITUARY

WELL-KNOWN MAORI iMR. R. R. T. MARUMARU The death has occurred of Mr. Rangipouri Reihana Taraua Marumaru, of Ngaiwitarawa. Parewanui. Mr. Marumaru was a son of Chief Taraua Utiku Marumaru, of Ngatiapa (Rangitikei), Ngatiruarui (Ngarua-hine-Taranaki), his mother being chieftainess Rawea Tekohukiwi. daughter of Haani Metekingi Paetahi 0 (Ngapoutama-Whanganui) and Te Rina Marereiherongi, daughter of Kawana Hunia, of Ngatiapa, Rangitaone, Muapoko. The late Mr. Marumaru was born at Waikawa on January 1, 1887, and was educated at the Marton District High School. He was secretary of the Kurahaupo Maori Council and was a lay reader in the Parewanui Church and at Tarakati, Rata. Mr. Marumaru was organiser of the first Maori pageant at Wanganui and was a first-class licensed native interpreter. Mr. Marumaru took a keen interest in matters affecting the interests of the native race. Mr. Marumaru left with the Ninth Reinforcements r.nn. served in France during the Great War. He was promoted to the rank of corporal while on active service. Two of his uncles, Corporal Te Ira Metekingi and Signaller Henare Metekingi were killed in action. Mr. Marumaru leaves two sons and a daughter, Mr. J. Marumaru, of the Native Land Court being his only surviving brother. The funeral will take place at Parewanui to-morrow when Maori returned soldiers will e'-t pall-bearers. MR. THOMAS WARNOCK. The death occurred at his home in ,' Tawa Street, Gonville, last night of Mr. Thomas Warnock in his 88th year. Mr. Warnock, who leaves a widow and a grown-up family, came to Wanganui from Wellington about 30 years ago and founded the business of Warnocks Ltd. He took an active part in the firm until about two years ago when he retired because of failing health. Mr. Warnock was well-known for his firm belief in the future of Wanganui and for straightforward business dealings. He was a man ever keen to support his own city and his gifts to charity and to other deserving causes were frequent and given unostentatiously. He has been ill for a long time and unable to leave his home. MR. ROBERT J. WHIBLEY CHURCH ARMY SECRETARY Mr. Robert J. Whibley, honorary Dominion secretary of the Church Army, died at Wanganui recently at the age of 81 years. Born at Sevenoaks, Kent, England, Mr. Whibley came to New Zealand in 1879 and took up sheepfarming in the Ashhurst district. Later he came to Wanganui and became interested in fruitgrowing. i Mr. Whibley went to Ormondville r'y few years ago to live with his’ brother, the Rev. F. W. Whibley. and assisted him in his parish work for the Church Army. Two years ago he returned to Wanganui, where he was a regular attender at services at Christ Church and St. John’s Church.