INFLUENTIAL CHIEF'S DEATH

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13271, 29 August 1916, Page 5

INFLUENTIAL CHIEF'S DEATH

AN "OLD TIME" MAORI. By Telegraph. Press Association. WHAKATANK. Tuesday. On Saturday (lumia Kerciu. the paramount chio! ii the Tuhoo tribe died at Rnatoki. He v.as Tulini '- last remnant of the old time Maoris, who only a lew years ago were standing out against Government control, hut under the late chief tilings changed. The land was cultivated, maize hcing the stable crop, large herds of dairy cows were introduced, and the Tuhoc Maoris were big suppliers rn the local cheese factory. All tins was largely due id the influence of the late chief. Most of the dealings in the I'rewera hind bough I by the Government v ere arranged liy Kereru, who was well-known and widely respected among politicians. Ki reru. who was an old langitira of the bluest lilood, was ahle to trace his descent- from the arrival of the first canoes, numbering among his ancestors persons in five canoes. It is believed that very few . if any. oi the five-oanoe-men are loft. Kereru had given 1.600 acres of land to the war fund, and enthusiastically encouraged recruiting. Condolence telegrams have been reooivod by his relatives from Hon-. \Y. F. Massey, W. H. Herries and A. T. Xgata. and many prominent people. Tt is understood that natives are coming from all parts of both islands to the tangi.