Wiremu Te Awe Awe

Te Ao Hou, 1972, Page 5

Wiremu Te Awe Awe Known to thousands of dance hall patrons as Billy Larkins, Wiremu Kingi Te Awe Awe was remembered by many of them when they attended his tangi at Rangiotu, where he was buried on a small hill near the meeting house Rangimarie. He was interested in music at a very early age, and continued his playing when at Te Aute College, receiving his first professional engagement only two months after leaving school. He led several orchestras during his long life, and used his talent as organist at the Anglican church at Rangiotu, and also with the Masonic Lodge, where he became Grand Organist. A grandson of Wiremu Kingi Te Awe Awe, a chief who worked hard for the peaceful settlement of the Manawatu two generations ago, Mr Larkins took his place as speechmaker at Maori ceremonies, and was to have been one of the speakers welcoming Dame Te Ata to Palmerston North's Waitangi Day celebrations. He is survived by his wife and eight children.