DEATH OF AN OLO-TIME CANNIBAL

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10366, 15 June 1901, Page 1

DEATH OF AN OLO-TIME CANNIBAL

PATARA'S INTERESTING CAREER.

The Auckland Star's correspondent learns 'from natives of the death j4 Maketu lately of. one of the last of the old Maori cannibals. This was Patara To Ngungnkoi, the tohunga and bonescraper well known to Rotorua residents as "Old Patara." The ancient man was a great warrior in his young days, and must have been about 90 yeats -of age at the time of his death. He.nbp.ok part .with the Arawas' in the wars' of 16&U3& against the celebrated TevWahfcroa, chief of the NgJttihaun. and grandfather of tho present Wnikato Premier, Taingakawa to TOaliaroa. ' Old Patt)ra' was in. those days f 'cele- 1 " brated 'as the fastest runner in, his tribo. ' ,He .was one of "the eight'hundred 1 Arawa . ' warriors who stormed To Tumavpa at- Maketu, 65 -years ago, and.slewt an^ate tho. defenders. -Patera .often used /to describe his cannibal fqaota. 'when ha -.and -his comrades, devoured the bodies tof tho slain. He 'alao ..to.ok-4iarVin the ■fighting^rotmd'ißbfo^ -ruar In -183.6. It is said that when bis father" died at Rotorua, Patara helped with his broth or s to cat tho body-o£ his parent. They did this os'a SoW'oi religions act, filial cannibalism, in fact, apparently with the idea of imbibing -tho"" inherent^. virtues of mana of the .father. This was a custom amongst certain people in ancient times. Patara. had some reputation as a tohunga or priest,. although a man of no rank. His chief occupation seemed to be that of tribal bone-scraper. He belonged to the Tuhourangi tribe of Whakarewarewa, •but latterly lived at To Puke and Makctu. He was an old age pensioner.

Messrs Rouse and Hurrell, the wellknown coach and carriage builders of Wellington, announce that they will havo theiy show-room in' CourtenayPlaco, Wellington, lit up every evening durim; next week. YisitpTß from Wan£anui Bhould make a point of inspecting tho 'excellent work turned out by the above firm, 'who are • represented; locally by Messrs Cum'e,' Lewis and., Co.i