OBITUARY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XVIII, 1 May 1897, Page 544

OBITUARY.

MRS SHRIMPTON, whose death took place at Auckland atter many years of delicate health, was the wife of Mr W. Shrimpton, of Matapiro, Hawke’s Bay, and the loss of one who was so much liked has cast a gloom over the whole district. The body was brought to Napier by the s.s. ‘ Rotomahana,’ and the funeral took place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. The coffin was covered with beautiful wreaths both from Auckland and from every part of Hawke’s Bay. A well-known Maori chief named Te Whetu died at Parihaka on Sunday, April nth. He was Te Whiti’s 1 right-hand man,’ and his loss will be felt by the natives. Te Whetu had been paralysed for some months, and his death was not, therefore, unexpected. This chief was foremost in encouraging the young of the tribe to adapt themselves to European amusements and pursuits, He was one of the founders of the Puniho Maori Brass Band, and had a billiard room built at Parihaka, and a table placed in it for the amusement of the young men. It was in that room he was placed when dead, the billiard table having been removed, and there his body lay in state till it was buried, dressed in the regalia he nsed to wear on holiday occasions, including his ornamental smoking cap, silk sash, and gold chains. A tangi was held over the body, at which natives from all parts of the district attended. A number of women squatted round the corpse and kept up a continual wail, the widow and a few near relatives cutting their faces with glass until they were covered with blood. The funeral took place on Tuesday, April 13th, when a large number of visitors attended. They were welcomed to the place by women waving green branches and chanting a mournful sort of dirge. At about 2.45 p.m. a procession was formed, and the corpse, rolled up in a quilt and shawls, was borne shoulder high by six men, being proceeded by the Waitara Band playing ‘ Home, Sweet Home.’ A number of women with green branches followed, and after them came the Puniho Band, which played a funeral dirge. A large following of Maoris brought up the rear. The grave, in the cemetery on the hill, not being ready when the corpse arrived, the natives amused themselves in various ways. The women danced to slow music, and some of the young men got up a ‘ sham fight. ’ The grave at last being of sufficient depth, order was restored, and the ceremony of interring the chief commenced. The step-brother of Te Whiti, named Taikomako, wearing Te Whiti’s silk hat and feathers, acted as master of the ceremonies and directed what should be done. The deceased’s bed having been first placed in the grave, the corpse was lowered, and then Keno, a near relative of the deceased, and a very old man, delivered an oration, in which he described the Te Whetu as ‘ the noblest, most warlike, and truthful of men.’ Before the earth was thrown into the grave, Taikomako put all the articles belonging to the deceased on the top of the corpse and the firing party then fired two volleys. The grave was then filled in, and the procession reforming, marched back to the village both bandsplaying, and the young men firing their guns. A large quantity of provisions has been provided for the funeral feast, which will last for some days. Mr John S. Caverhill, who for several years was a resident in New Plymouth and Hawera, died at Christchurch on April 17th at the age of 76 years. He settled in Canterbury when he first came to the colony, and owned at one time the Cheviot Estate, which a few years ago was acquired by the Government under the Laud for Settlement Act, and cut up for sale. About 1879 he came to live in New Plymouth, and took great interest in stocking the rivers in Taranaki with fish. When Rewi visited Waitara and New Plymouth in 1875 for the purpose of meeting Sir George Grey, Mr Caverhill took an active part in entertaining that chief and his followers. Mr Caverhill afterwards went to Hawera, were he acquired land and commenced farming in that district to a very large exten‘. He imported all the modern agricultural implements, and at one time had ten reaper and binder machines at work in his wheat-fields. That venture was an unfortunate one, but the experiment proved a valuable lesson to the settlers in the district. Mr Caverhill was president of various societies, which he liberally encouraged, and was noted for his hospitality to strangers visiting the district. Latterly he has had very bad health, and for some time made a stay at the Hot Springs. Old age, however, began to tell upon him lately, and he has at last passed away, but his death will be much regretted by those who knew him. He leaves a widow, several sons and one daughter, who

is married to the Rev. L. Isitt. One of his sons was burnt at Hawera when stopping at Mr Kelly’s hotel in that town. Dr. Faulknor, whose death occurred at his residence King-street, Hastings, on Friday afternoon, was a gentleman who was much respected in that community and widely known beyond it. He had been failing in health for some years before his death, and intended removing to Havelock, where he has been spending the winter in a few weeks. Much sympathy is felt for his family in their bereavement. At the funeral the members of the Hastings Fire Brigade, of which corps Dr. Faulknor was honorary surgeon, headed the procession to the Hastings cemetery.