HAERE KI O KOUTOU TIPUNA HAERE KI O KOUTOU TIPUNA

MRS TINIPA HUDSON The death occurred early in December of a paramount chieftainess of Ngati-Ngahere, a sub-tribe of the Whakatohea Tribe, in the person of Mrs Tinipa (Winnie) Hudson. She took a keen interest in the betterment of the Maori race, and was instrumental in making Terere Pa one of the most modern in the district. During the first and second world wars she was always to the fore in patriotic work for the Pioneers and the Maori Battalion. At the tangi representatives of the tribes in the Bay of Plenty and Poverty Bay gathered to pay their respects.

MR HAMIORA RAUMATI One of the most colourful personalities in Maori public life, Mr Hamiora Raumati, a blind elder of Urenui, died in the New Plymouth Hospital. He was aged 70. Mr Raumati was born at Urenui, mainly of Ngati-Mutunga and Ngati-Toa descent. He was also connected by blood with leading families of many other tribes. His parents were Makariru Dix and Ngaropi, a half-sister of Sir Maui Pomare. Later his mother married Nohomairangi Te Whiti, the only son of the prophet Te Whiti-Rongomai of Parihaka, in whose teachings he was well versed. Mr Raumati was an outstanding orator and he travelled to all important huis. After going totally blind about 26 years ago, he devoted his life to the public activities of his people, especially to the Raukura and King Movements.

MRS PAHAU RATONI—‘ANA HATO’ The well-known Maori singer, Miss Ana Hato, died in the Rotorua Hospital in December, after a long illness. She was 47. Miss Hato, who in private life was Mrs Pahau Ratoni, became a prominent singer in duets with a cousin, Mr Dean Waretini, a tenor, with whom she made recordings in English and Maori. Some years ago they sang in Australia, and their records took Maori songs round the world. Mr Waretini said he believed she had the finest Maori voice that has been heard any-where. She really came into the limelight, he said, when she sang at the reception for the Duke and Duchess of York (later King George VI and Queen Elizabeth) in 1927. In Rotorua, Miss Hato was also known as the Maori who taught Gracie Fields to sing ‘Now is the Hour’. Her husband died while a prisoner of war in World War II.

PETER SMITH Peter Smith, All Black and former tennis champion, died at his home in Opononi on January 25. His premature passing, at only 29 years of age, ends a notable career in New Zealand sport. Peter Smith was best known as a Rugby footballer and, with his famous brother John, was a key man in the brilliant Northland backline which won and held the Ranfurly Shield. He was a member of the All Blacks in the 1947 tour of Australia, and played in that country again in the 1949 Maori All Blacks. He played for New Zealand Maoris on several occasions. Peter Smith was also a tennis player of national class. He won the New Zealand junior title at Hawera before the Second World War, and in 1947 several times defeated John Barry, current Davis Cup representative. He is survived by his wife and three children.

MRS TE UTAUTA WEBBER The death occurred at Paraparaumu of Mrs Te Utauta Webber, the younger daughter of Ki Te Kakakura Parata, the Te Atiawa and Ngati Toa chief, and one of the first Maoris to hold Cabinet rank. Mrs Webber was aged 74, and had been ailing for some time. Until her husband died three years ago, she resided at Kapiti Island. There, fire destroyed her home and many ancestral treasures. She is survived by three sons and a daughter. A nephew, Mr Tuhuroa Parata, was invested with the O.B.E. by the Queen in Wellington.