Last Tribute From Whakatane To Late Sir Apirana Ngata

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 72, 21 July 1950, Page 3

Last Tribute From Whakatane To Late Sir Apirana Ngata

The following tribute to Sir Apirana Ngata, who died last Friday, has been penned by Mr W. R. Whiteside, Whakatane. The funeral of the Maori leader is to be held . today on the East Coast. “The mighty totara falls” In the forest of Tane The mighty totara has fallen With the weight of years—The “Old Man” Ngata “Father of the Maori Race,” Sleeps amid the tears And the wailing of his people; And on the maraes His praises will be sung The great work in oratory recalled of Ngata, the leader—the wise.

And it will be said of Ngata, Maori statesman, scholar, guide, That he served his people And the country that he loved With honour, dignity and pride. Knight of an Empire Commonwealth, In his greaterst hours Acting Premier, Father of the House Eloquent, in his powers Of oratory, to sway Maori and Pakeha alike; That both should live in harmony In this verdant land, This peaceful heritage of both This sea-girt strand.

Thus passes Ngata, A great New Zealander, Statesman, Knight, Philosopher, Leader, Father of his people; To the end of his honoured days Working—always working For his people’s good, That the race go on And never pass away.

“The mighty totara has fallen In the forest of Tane” Sorrow fills the Maori race, But from the shadows Carnes Ngata’s challenge “Fill my place!” -

By the shores of the broad Pacific The “old man” Ngata, sleeps: The Father of the Maori race His long, last vigil keeps.