OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 17, 29 May 1939, Page 4

OBITUARY

: •——-—o MR KIRI TAPSELL Head of the well-known Tapseil family, arid a prominent member of the Ngati-Whakaue hapu of the Arawa Mr Kirj Tapseil, ha-s (lied at Rotoma at the age of 65. Mr Tapseil was a grandson of Captain Hans Tapseil, who arrived at Maketu in 1928 when he opened a trading post. On his mother's side he was descended from Winiata, a well-known figure in Maori affairs of the last ccntury. Mr Tapseil was educated at Sjt Stephen's College. During his many years at Maketu he has played a prominent part in all affairs relating to the welfare of the Arawa tribe. He was a member of the Arawa Trust Board since its inception in, 1924, repiesenting the Tapseil family and his hapu. He was a member of the Maketu school committee for 25 years and also served on the Kaiituna drainage board. .Football was among his keenest interests and he supported the Maketu Football Club for many years. During the last few months he took a deep interest and was active in the Maketu centennial memorial scheme despite his illness. He is survived by a widow, four adult sons and four daughters. MAORI GIRL SWIMMER DEATH OF MISS NAXI KIR A The death has occurred of Miss Nani Kira, aged 14 years, a 'wellknown Rotorua Maori girl swimmer. : Miss Kira in 1937 won the New Zca(land 50 ya.rds junior free-style titk» and some months later broke the New Zealand record for 50 yards backstroke, her time remaining rn_ beaten until the junior national championships held at Rotorua this 3 T ear. She had been ill for some month s : and had not as a result been able to take an active part i n swimming this season. She was popular in swim, ming circles where she w r ais regardevl J as having an exceptionally bright future.