OTAKI.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXIX, Issue 40, 3 October 1901, Page 5

OTAKI.

KFrom an occasional correspondent.)

September 26.

This week I have to reoord with regret the death of a model Oateohist in the person of Paora Mohi Winiata, of Awahuri, near Palmerston North. The deceased was 38 years of age, and was held in the highest esteem by nativeß and Europeans. He was a model for all, being a good Christian, industrious, and sober. The Maoris of Awahuri belong to the Ngatikauhata tribe. Fourteen years ago a considerable portion of them became Catholics, and the deceased was appointed cateohist. For several years a large meeting house was used for prayer, but six years ago they were able to erect a substantial, well-finished church at their pah of Hamua. The building was erected by themselves, the son of the good old chief Te Kereama being the designer. The festivities of the dedication lasted over a week. On October 20, 1895, his Grace the Archbishop of Wellington blessed the church, dedicated it to St Peter and St. Paul, and confirmed 15 Maoris, amongst whom was the deceased oatechist.

Since then the bell has never ceased to gather the natives for the prayer. Our good cateohiot had great influence with his people, especially with the younger men of the tribe. He was a most industrious and hospitable man, taking an active part in the civil •Hairs of the tribe, but he was above all devoted to prayer and to the Church. Returning from Waikato in the beginning of the month, he became very ill. He refused to be attended by the lohunga or Maori doctor, but he sent for the priest at Palmerßton •nd received piously the last Sacraments on Sunday, the Feast of Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. On Tuesday night, feeling that his end was near, he said farewell to Ms wife and had the prayers for the dying said for him by a young Maori. Scarcely were the prayers ended when ha expired. When the Rev. Father Melu arrived at the pah for the funeral the Maoris received him with a great tangi. They said : ! Come 1 come I Salutation to you and to your dead Bon, the oatechist ; Come ! oome ! to see him laid low by the hand of death.'

For the Maoris it is a matter of the greatest importance that one should be buried amongst the members of his family, but in the oase of our departed they made an exception to that rule. They

agreed to bury him, not alongside of his sister, who had died the week before, but alongeid of Epi te whare paki, who died three years ago, and who had taken a great interest in the erection of the church. The deceased was not related to her, but as they were united in life by the same zeal for prayer and the house of God, they were also to be united in death. In the speeches in memory of the departed, the Maoris emphasised the fact that they were sure no other catechist could be compared with him. It is to be hoped that Mb successor will follow in his footsteps and be like him a oredit to the tribe and to the Church. —R.I.P.