TRIBUTES AT ORAKEI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 85, 12 April 1943, Page 4

TRIBUTES AT ORAKEI

SCENES AT HON. PAIKEA’S TANGI (P.A.) Auckland, April 11. A large number of Maori people, representing all tribes of the Dominion, assembled at Orakei to-day to participate in the tangi over the death of the Hon. P. K. Paikea, Minister in charge of the Maori War Effort. The body was brought from Ngaruawahia to Auckland by train. At the station a party of the tribe from Orakei carried out the traditional ceremonial. The cortege moved to Orakei, where the casket was placed in an open-sided marquee. Above it hung photographs and printed scrolls. Wreaths were placed around the casket and throughout the day wahines sat around the tent mourning, often with tears, the passing of the Minister. The Government was represented by the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, the Hon. H. G. R. Mason, Minister in charge of Native Affairs, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, Minister of Supply, the Hon. P. C. Webb, Minister | of Mines, and the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer, Minister of Health. Tributes to the memory of Mr. Paikea and to his work as Minister were paid by the Prime Minister and Messrs. Mason and Sullivan. Mr. M. Moohan, secretary of the New Zealand Labour Party, also spoke. Sir Apirana Ngata spoke on behalf of the East Coast people, Mr. Tuiri Tanoha on behalf of those of the Hawke’s Bay and Mr. E. 'A Tirikatene, M.P., on behalf of the South Island Maoris. The body will be taken to Otamaea for burial.