THE FUNERAL OF MANIHERA RANGITAKAIWAHO.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2014, 12 June 1885, Page 2

THE FUNERAL OF MANIHERA RANGITAKAIWAHO.

The funeral of the, above named chief took place at Papawai, nearGreytown, on Thursday fully 300 people-being present, including both 'rapes, \ The funeral services were read by the ReV'W. T; Western, assisted by Hapiata. Pou Manihera was chief mourner and Mr E. S. Maunsell represented; the .Native Minister.?!" The natives sang ancient and modem

hymns over the grave of their late chief. After this ceremony had been performed Mr Maunsell invited all present to adjourn to deceased's liite residence to hear addresses by some of his friends, also to witness a gift of a paintinp of, deccaaed. The foiloivhig addresses were then delivered :—'

PouManiherasaid: "I am vory well pleased with your attendance here to-day to pay the last respects to my father, 1, can only say Words of good feeling to show my regards to the Government, I now present them with a photo of 'my father to cement the good feeling that has already existed between us, and may it over continue."

Mr Maunsell, in response, said he was deputed by the Native Minister to attend to-day. He was requested to' let the Maoris know that the Government held the late chief in very high esteem, and he saw many old • settlers , there to-day that could testify to the great assistance the deceased had given Sir . Donald McLean and the Government, Again he thanked them for their very valuable present.: Te Huki desired to express his best feelings to the people of the Wairarapa for the respect 'they had paid deceased by attending that day. fle said ' Manihera was dead, and the principal chiefs of the Wairarapa were dead. In the future he hoped no trouble would arise between the two races. This was all he had to say to them, and he wished .them all' health and happiness. On behalf of the Europeans, Mr W, H, Beetham, thanked .the' Natives for the expression of kind feelings, and hoped, the two races would work together.' He said a great number of good Natives had passed away, bnt still there were a great many good ones'left. Again he trusted the tworaces would pull together and make a great nation of New Zealand. The following is the address' from the Natives to the Europeans, which was interpreted by Mr Maunsell " Welcome, welcome friends of kindly feeling, welcome your sympathies. Here your friend has departed from this life and gone to the second world, which is traversed by generations from Adam to this day. Coine to see the last of the chiefs of this tribe, Nga ti Rahungune, Wirimu Kingi, Tireha to Monuama, Hapuku Anaru, Tuhokairangi, Ranaera, Te Ihooti Rangi, Ngairoapuroa, Tikawenga te Manihera Rangitakaiwaho, the remnants of the race. The power of chiefs, handed down from our ancestors, has departed; Come and bid farewell to our true friend, and to him who has departed, who has been good to this district and our Island, causing the sun to shine by our ■ boundaries during the periods - of' trouble with the other tribes of this Island, May the Queeri Victoria of England, also her heirs, and the Government of New Zealand, continue so that good may result betwoenthe two races in this Island,"and so that there may be unity and brotherly love. May you live under the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.—Amen."

This address was from the whole tribe of Ngatikahungunus, and was signed by several leading Natives.