Robert He was beautiful Vibrant And so very young. Too few years marked the shadow Of his passing. So few… His place is empty Never to be filled by any other: The gap Remains a barren space A desolate void Without warmth. In mists of memory, he lives Enshrined. In dim seclusion, he lies Tenderly cradled By the gentle hand of the Infinite. Blessed Forever.

Alice Bennett Mother of one of the best known Maori families in New Zealand. Mrs Alice Rangioue Bennett died in Rotorua aged 83. She was the wife of the first Bishop of Aotearoa, the late Rev. F. A. Bennett. One of her 11 sons, the Rt Rev. Manu Bennett, is the third Bishop of Aotearoa. Mrs Bennett was born in Okere, and married the Rev. Bennett, then a widower with five children, in 1911. She was the daughter of Hemana Ponika, paramount Arawa chief. Many of her sons have distinguished themselves in public life, and she was held in high esteem by all of them. There were also two daughters, and Mrs Bennett is survived by 70 grandchildren and more than 20 great-granchildren.

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.

Matua Henare The Lady On a Bike by Valerie Smith Mrs Matua Henare, the only Maori woman to represent the Hawke's Bay Presbytery at a General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, died recently in Hastings. Her passing closes a unique chapter in the history of the Presbyterian Church, but at the same time opens another chapter with a practical demonstration that could ultimately affect all New Zealanders. Although Mrs Henare's work in the Church and community were inestimable, another equally vital legacy resulted from a request made just before she died. This was her wish to be buried from St John's Presbyterian Church, Hastings, rather than