A NOTABLE MAORI CHIEF.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9392, 19 March 1898, Page 2

A NOTABLE MAORI CHIEF.

HaimonaHoroti, chief of tbeNga'tiPa tribe, whose death we recorded yesterday, was a notable old warrior. It wjU be in the recolleotion of old residents of Wanganui that the battle of Moutoa was fonght on the 15th or 16th of May, 1864, on' the Wanganui River. The Hauhans were; on their way to- attack-the outlying distrlots and town of Wanganni, and their passage . was disputed"" by the friendly natives, After some heavy fighting the latter had to retire and the day, Was all but lost, when Haimona shouted " I will go no further 1 Here I fight and here I die": Thi brave btand of the ohief inspired his followers; wtitJ rallied ftnd neacl«a M being" forced.' to live way!, 'When' au-ex^ peditionar?: foroe wag sent to Opoti.ki Jo punish the* murderers .o£ the >Rot,.",Mr Volkner, Haimona wasonb of th& leaders and the pah was captnred nuder a heavy fire, the Europeans under Major Braasey being stranded in a steamer on a sand spit. On tho return of the contingent (which was under the command of .Colonel MoDonnell) to Wftnganui its services" were required by Colonel Chnte, and Haimona ' was chosen as being the most skilful in war to command the Kupapas, i.e., all the friendly natives of Wanganui, Wangaehn, aud Rangitikei.- These natives acted separately from the native' contingent whioh was sworn in nnder the Queen's regulations. The success of the f riendliea, which is now a matter of history, was m no small measure due to the bravery "displayed by Haimona, , who never failed' to respond to the call of .duty. All through General Chute's memorable march around Mdunt tigmont^Haimona was always in the 1 front. During the 1 tiirie Cdltael McDonnell had omrimatid 6n the West poast) Haimona wasonadf thoprorriinentn|urß3: arid in w88", wHen the 1 tdwh of VfSniaHui waS threatened by Titqko,wstrti, Haimonai and his followers' resrionded ripbly , te tfie* call to defend the homes' of th'o EtjrOpettpaj In I{J69, wh'en Te .Kooti cauied gpod deal of troubie.Haimona and his vafy gayq their- influence and services in subduing ' the enemy and restoring peace, which hod not existed 'for nine years previously. , Colonel McDonnell, who fonght side 'by side with Haimona in many a confliot, speaks in the highest terms of praise of the gallantry of the old native ohief. The Government of the day reoognissd Hairaona'o valuable services, and granted him a -pension of £50 per year. This was afterwards reduced to £30, and subsequently the amount was still further out down to a paltry £10 per year, and that when Haimona was fully 70 years of age. The old chief, until quite recently, was a' familiar figure in Wanganui, where he could be seen walking about the streets in ragged garments. Representations were quite recently made to the Government on his behalf by Colonel McDonnell. Mr S. H. Mansou, and Mr John Handley, and the old fellow's pension was inoreased.