MAORI TRIBUTES TO THE LATE BISHOP WILLIAMS.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 28, Issue 12, 1 February 1938, Page 1

MAORI TRIBUTES TO THE LATE BISHOP WILLIAMS.

The following eloquent tributes to the memory of the late Bishop H. W. Williams have been received by Bishop Bennett. The oratory of the Maori is at its best when associated

with the tangi or lament for the dead. The smooth running oratory and poetry are almost lost m the translation. From Meihana Terama, Feilding. We are gathered here to lament the death of our kaumatua (elder). Farewell, father. Depart m the midst of your labours. Go to the gathering place of our ancestors. Depart to the home. From the Arawa Trust Board, Rotorua. The Arawa people request you to convey to the widow and family of our late Bishop their sincere sympathy and love. Depart to your forebears, and to the tribes. It is well. Your descendants are growing m the fields of God, and will carry on your work of sowing the seeds of Christianity after your departure. From N. Whenuakura, Waipatu. O Bishop of Waiapu! Lie m state! Your marae (courtyard) is left desolate. Your personal influence is no longer with us. The talking bird of the perch, the harbinger of better days, the expert of ancient lore, the centre-pole of Aotearoa, farewell! The rare white crane of these Islands, depart to the marae of fate. May posterity follow m your footsteps. Depart to the canoes that came from the four winds. From Hamana Pokina, Maketu. Our hearts were suddenly startled, for the talisman is lost from the community. The Valley of Waiapu is desolate, the awakening bird is lost from amongst the people. The centrepole of the sacred meeting house of the East Coast and of Aotearoa has been taken by the Holy One. Depart to your Father, the Supreme Creator. It is His Voice that has called you to meet your ancestors, they who first planted the seeds of love and peace through the Christian Faith. This was their message and dying words to the Maori people, a message which sealed permanent peace throughout these Islands. You have now reached your resting place m Heaven. Widowed mother! you who came from the Mareikura (female supernatural beings) and he from the Manukura (leaders m council). You grew up together m the sacred

atmosphere of Christianity! Now you are bereft! But all is well. He has gone to rest from his labours. But he has left you and your children to carry on his work. There is an old Maori saying applied to chiefs who have children: "When my time comes to depart it will be well, as my birds will be able to soar over the perch." Yes, I have seen one soaring over the perch. I have heard one talking on the lofty Totara of the forest of Tane (m reference to Rev. Nigel Williams, M.A., who was present at last Waiapu Synod) . May our Father m Heaven take you all into His care and keeping.