NOTED HAWKE'S BAY MAORI CHIEF PASSES

Chronicle (Levin), 16 April 1946, Page 3

NOTED HAWKE'S BAY MAORI CHIEF PASSES

HASTINGS, April 15. With the death todav of Paraire Henare Tomoana, at Waiapu Pa, Hastings, I-Iawke's Bay has lost one of its most able and outstanding leaders among the Maori people. Born at Waiapu 78 years ago, he was a son of the late Hon." Hemari Tomoana, an early member of the Legislative Council. He was one of the earliest pupils at Te Aute Collegc aud ou leaving college took up farming and subsequcntly his position as a chief of tlie Kahungunu (sub-tribe of Ngati Hori). 'Degnite the handicap of a club foot, he pa'«'ticipated iu almost every form of sport gpd iu the majority gaiued proviucial iwours. He was au agthority on Rurby faytball aud was a member of the original Hawke's Bay Ivugby lifteeu. He was coack aud manager of the Te Aute College team that toured Australia aud in subsequcut years he took a prominent and activc part in the administration of the sport. Interested in Maori customs, songs and dances werc fostered extensively by him and he gained renown as a composer, two of his outstanding compositions being "E Pare Ra" and "Hoea Ra Te Waka Nei." In addition to his widow he leaves four sons and four daughters.