HAERE KI O KOUTOU TIPUNA

Dr E. P. Ellison Dr Edward Pohau Ellison, who was one of the members of the Young Maori party responsible for the marked progress of the Maori race after the turn of the century, died in Napier last November, aged 78. Dr Ellison was born at Waikanae and educated at Te Aute College and Otago University. He was appointed chief medical officer of Niue Island in 1919 and while there became deeply interested in tropical diseases and leprosy. After a term of three years in the Chatham Islands as resident commissioner, magistrate and medical officer, he returned to Dunedin to take a postgraduate course in tropical diseases in 1925–26. For nearly 20 years, with only a four-year break as director of the division of Maori hygiene, Dr Ellison was chief medical officer of the Cook Islands, and he was commissioner of the High Court there for 13 years. In 1938 he was awarded the O.B.E. for his long service to New Zealand's island peoples. In 1945 he returned to private practice at Manaia in Taranaki and remained there until his retirement to Taradale a few years ago. Dr Ellison was a university rugby blue and played for the New Zealand Maori side in 1912. He leaves his wife and a family of nine: Riki, Leeston, Christchurch; George, Sydney; Nan (Mrs Guest), Kohukohu; Eleanor (Mrs Burns), Manaia; Boyd, Wellington; McNeil, Napier; Joy (Mrs McLeod), Manaia; Dr Tom Ellison, Dunedin; and Daniel, a lecturer in agriculture at the University of Kuala Lumpur. An article on Dr Ellison's life and achievements appeared in the September 1963 issue of ‘Te Ao Hou’.

Mr Tuati Paku Whaanga The death occurred recently of Mr Tuati Paku Whaanga, son of Ihaka Maihi Whaanga, a leader of the Nuhaka people and a grandson of Ihaka (Tatoo) Whaanga, a direct male descendant of Kahungunu. Tuati Paku Whaanga was born at Nuhaka 70 years ago and resided in the district all his life. He farmed a property south of the township and left with the 2nd Maori Contingent for the First World War. On his return, he continued farming at Nuhaka. Mr Whaanga was a foundation member of the Nuhaka Tribal Committee and also one of the early leaders of the Latter Day Saints' faith at Nuhaka. He was a prominent Rugby player in his day and represented Wairoa and the coastal Tairawhiti team. He is survived by one son, Maui Pomare Whaanga, of Kaikohe, and four grandchildren.

Mrs J. A. Boulter Mrs J. A. Boulter, of Papatotara, Southland, died last October, aged 87. Mrs Boulter, formerly Katarina Fowler, could trace her descent from many tribes—the Nga-Tua-hauriri, Huirapa, Terakiamoa, Teatawhiua, and Ngati-Mamoe. She was not related to Southland Maoris, but belonged to chiefly families from Kaiapoi. Her grandfather, Johnny Kahu, whom she remembered well—for he lived to be 110—wore only Maori clothing until the end of his life, and was one of the last two completely tattooed men in the South Island. Mrs Boulter was married on July 29 1897. The couple celebrated 65 years of married life together (51 of them at Papatotara) last years. Mr Boulter died last February at the age of 93. There are 19 grandchildren and 34 great-grand-children, most of whom are living in Southland. The three living children are Mr C. H. Boulter, Pahia, Mr G. Boulter and Mrs D. Trainor, Rowallan.

Mr H. O. Grant One of the Second World War heroes of the Arawa tribe, Mr Hingawaru Oswald Grant, died at Rotorua recently after a long illness. He was one of a small party of men of the Maori Battalion that, under Sergeant H. Manahi, attacked and captured the Peak of Takrouna against over whelming odds towards the end of the North African campaign. A corporal at the time, he was awarded the Military Medal for his exploits. Mr Grant, who was 42 when he died, rose to the rank of captain. He was an accomplished linguist, musician and singer. He was an officer in the State Forest Service at Rotorua.