OBITUARY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 29, 4 December 1945, Page 8

OBITUARY

M;R ROBERT BID OLE The death occurred recently of Mr Robert Biddle, of Wainui, Kutarcre at the age of 58 years. His passing has left both relatives and peojjle at a great loss for he was a recognised leader of thp Maori people and one who sympathetically interested himself in all their affairs. One of his aims was to see improved conditions for his and to this end he was extremely active in rehabilitation of the Maori ! Returned Soldier. Self-taught he was extremely methodical and won a reputation of being something of a scholar. B3- trade he was a blacksmith and wheelwright and was in business in Taneatua 'Waimana and Gisborne between 1002 and 15)20. During this period he was. very active,as secretary and treasurer to the Mnngatu Sports Club ? and also as, Patriotic organiser during the last war. In 1922 through ill-health he sold his Poverty Bay business and returned to the Bay where he took up farming pursuits at Wainui. He was appointee! secretary to the Wanui Triut Committee and in 1020 : trme secr-. t-iry n"ion. iser for the Ringatu Church. This post carried him far afield and he was largely responsible for the recognition and registration of the Ringatu faith. The late Mr Bid die was a staunch Labour supporter, and was connected with innumerable tribal committees and executives. He was on the eve of a further trip to Wellington to attend a Labour Conference when he took ill and died. The Maori people have lost a true friend in Robert Biddle whose greatest ambition was to see the fullest equality established between Maori and Pakeha. His work as a reasoning mediator will be his best monument in this respect. His father the late Mr Ben Biddle ? was the bolder of the New Zealand Cross, while his mother was from the Kahungunu tribe of Mohaka Wairoa. He leaves- a large Mrs Dan Koopu (Maraenni); Mrs John Collier (Wainui): Mrs Polly Manuel (Wainui); Mrs Robert Collier (Te Puke); Mrs Wm. Broughton (Wairoa); Mrs W. Campbell ■(Cape Runaway): Mrs Tony Edwardson (Opotiki): Mrs Les Pu'kepuke (Opotiki): Mi.sses Maudc ? Mina and llangi Biddle: and James of a (Wainui) and Ben (Tluatoki) m and 1: S/Sgt. Robert Biddle and Pte. John v Biddle (overseas) Maori Battalion. I A sad feature is that Robert e Biddle who sailed for overseas has d lost both parents in his absence.