DEATH OF TE KIWI AMOHAU

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XVII, Issue 11, 2 May 1927, Page 15

DEATH OF TE KIWI AMOHAU

NOTED ARAWA CHIEF. FAREWELL TO HIS PEOPLE. A notyd chief of tlie Arawa people passed away on the 24th March, at Ohinemutu, Piotorua. He was a man of high rank, one of the most influential of the Arawas. He - was m receipt of a special pension * ■ from the Government. He was an active licensed lay -reader of the Church of England. He was quite an fiuthority on Maori myths ; trad-

iti6ns and genealogy.. In Januaryhe handed to a relative of his the following ' farewell message to his people, with the proviso that it should not' be published until he had passed away. In the early days it was, much more common for the old chiefs to make farewell orations than it is now, consequently the following parting message is all the more interesting as lifting the veil from a scene which is now quite Unusual:— "Salutions to the tribe. Salutations to our sacred Marae Te Papa-i-Ouru. The time is now drawing nigh when it is well for me to bid all farewell. Night is drawing nearer. Mist envelopes the soul.' Farewell, 0 my people, farewell my canoe. I am on the track that heads to the home of our ancestors. After I am gone, be strong, be firm. See that the feather which ornaments your head is firmly fastened; beware of the temptations of Tumatauenga (the God of battles). "Stand upright, facing the rising of the sun. Arise, follow m the footsteps of our Lord. Follow not the ways of the foolish, where stones may be thrown at you. Let the torch of Faith, Hope and Love to God burn brightly. If the Arawa tribe should be divided, unite them again as your ancestor, Temuera, united . them. Remember your illustrous ancestor Rangitihi, whose head, though split, was closed again;

by the use of the supple-jack vine. The law to-day takes the place of the akatea (supple-jack vine). "Help the Government by being law abiding. Support the scehmes initiated by the younger generation for the welfare of the tribe.- Be loyal to your leaders. God bless my tribe, and my children."