ELECTRA

Te Ao Hou, March 1960, Page 13

ELECTRA Congratulations from the Maoris of Lower Rangitikei Oh, hail Electra, Goddess bright, Bulls you illume with radiant light, Indeed, it is a glorious sight, Sign of prosperity. Now darkest night is turned to day Bultonians now see clear the way, And every heart is made light and gay By electricity. Ah! wondrous electricity, A power supreme all must agree; Its uses unto all are free, Now to Bulls especially. The poem continues for sixteen stanzas and shows considerable wit, eloquence and versatility in rhyming. Rangitorihi, the daughter of Te Kune Ema, the second eldest of John's daughters, was a favourite of his to whom he often recited his poems. She still remembers three fragments of these poems; one of them eulogizes education; another, dealing with the First World War, declares that the human ‘instinct to fight’ is ineradicable; while the third celebrates the death of Captain Scott in the Antarctic. According to George, his brother, John could speak seven languages. The late Sir Apirana Ngata, who met John on a number of occasions, is the writer's authority for the description of him as a ‘formidable figure lost to the public life of this country.’ His impeccable speech and fine delivery, his ready wit and extensive vocabulary, said Sir Apirana, was a treat to hear and a thing at which to marvel. A fine tribute, indeed, from one of the greatest orators this country has ever had. John was a particularly well-read man. He had a wide knowledge and clear understanding of public matters, and was a keen student of world affairs. Among other stations in life, with his academic qualifications, John could have filled with distinction the highest post in the diplomatic service. It was rather a tragic sort of thing, and queer quirk of fate, that the academically well-equipped sons of Puhiwahine should have been ‘all the voyage of their life bound in shallows.’ They were men of independent character who never sought favours from anyone. As has often happened through the ages, it could have been a case of envy against men of high intellect, and a denial of selection to high office of such men by the perversities of democracy. John died on Thursday, the 1st of November, 1917, at his home at Ohinepuhiawe, and was buried in the tribal cemetery nearby. (to be continued in our next issue)