THE LATE REV. RIWAI TE AHU.

Wellington Independent, Volume XXI, Issue 2428, 16 October 1866, Page 5

THE LATE REV. RIWAI TE AHU.

Tir>: death of the Rev. Riwai Te Aim, at Otaki, on the Bth instant, deserves moro than the passing notice of the obituary. Known as he was to many of us, indeed, fco all of tho old settlers, and respected by all that knew him for his gentlo and consistent character and conduct, wo may bo allowed to tell them that his end was peaceful like liis previous life ; that in his latter days he exercised all the influence his position and character gave him to impress upon his native brethren a duo sonso of tho blessings of Christianity and of a Christian life. It is now twonty-seven yoars sinco he readily listoucd to the teaching of the first missionary of this Southern District, and soon showed himself to be deserving of any trust and confidence that might be ropoacd in him. Ho became tho neuclus of v body of young men at Waikanae, who devoted themselves fco tho knowledge and practice of tho Gospel. After a while, when their English minister was laid up for sonic years through severe illness, Risvai Te Ahu steadily upheld his teacher's work, by gathering together the community to a regular attendance in church and school, and by setting thorn an example of a genuino 1 Christian life. His health began to fail about the year 1850, aud when his bodily weakness unfitted him for any hard active work, ho gave his mind oxclusively to the study of the Scriptures, and learnt the English language enough to read by himself parts of tho Old Testament., whon as yet there was no translation of it in his own language. After having studied some time at Auckland lie was admitted in the year 1855 to the office of a deacon by the Bishop of New Zealand. His friond Rota Waitoa of Otaki had been ordained two years before, and as they wore alike in their lives, so in their deaths they were not divided. Rota, tho first ordained clergyman of the Maori Church, died in July last, after having labored most faithfully at tho East Capo, until ho was driven from his post by the Hau Haus. Riwai from the time of his ordination to that of his death, lived at Otaki. His health gradually declined, nevertheless ho persevered in teaching daily at the school, and taking as much of the services o p tho Church at his strength allowed. Latterly, duviug all the excitement of the Hau Hau superstition, all who heard his sormons and conversation wore much struck by tho increased depth aud earnestness of his thoughts and feelings. Doubtless his labors wore not in vain ; and he did much to keep the natives of the district true to tho Gospel faith, and loyal to the Q.ueon. He wns buried on tho 11th inst. by Archdeacon Had/icld, who had converted him to the faith, tho Bishop with all the English residents, and tho natives of\the place attending the funeral. By tho innocency of his Hfo, and tho constancy of his faith unto tho end, " ho being dead yet speakoth." C.J.W.