GREAT RANGATIRAS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 452, 10 March 1909, Page 8

GREAT RANGATIRAS.

CHIEFS WHO HELPED THE PAKEHA. PROPOSALS TO COMMEMORATE THEM. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT MAY DO.' The decision of the Government to crccl a monument lo the Into Mr. Hone Hoke, M.l\, lias caused some attention to be directed to tlie rareers of other lpadic'J! Maoris who have passed away within recent years. In some instances, it is stated, the Government promised lo erect monuments lo the memory of tnese rangatiias, hut for one reason or another it lias not been done. Now, however, the whole matter has been revived, and the Government is lining asked to consider tho propriety of erecting suitable monuments to several leading Maoris, who were honoured in their day by both raccs and who influenced the history of New Zealand. The list comprises such well-known names as Major Kemp, tho Hon. 11. Tomoana, M.L.C., the Hon. H. K. Taiaroa, M.L.C., To Houheu Tukino, of Taupo, and Tamahau Malniputeu, of Wairarapa. As to where tho monuments will be erected, or what form tlicy will take, these are questions concerning which nothing can bo said just.now. Some particulars concerning the chiefs to whom these honours are, proposed to be paid will, however, bo of interest.

A Warrior worth Two Hundred. Major Kemp, or To Kecpa, was a highborn chief of the Wanrjanui district, whore ho posse'sod paramount iniluence. Ho figured prominently 111 the Maori wars, was often mentioned in dispatchcs, received a sword of honour from tho lato Queen, and was decorated with tho New Zealand Cross for valour in the field, lie received his commission as ensign or lieutenant in the Native contingent under Captain (afterwards Colonel) M'Donnell in 186-4, and ho served with distinction, at l'ipiriki, at Opotiki, and on tho West Coast. Ho assisted Sir George Grey at the taking of the Wcraroa pa, and was promoted for lii's services to tho rank of captain and afterwards to that of major. Ho organised and commanded the expedition which chased To Kooti and his band of fanatics from the hoad-waters of the Wanganui to the East Coast and back to the Ohiwa Mountains, and finally broke up "iid dispersed the fco. General Whilii .. > stated in the Legislative Council that Major Kemp was personally worth any 200 ordinary men in the field. - - Fighter and Legislator. ' The lato Hon. Ilenare Tomoana, M.L.C., was a chief of tho Ngatikuhungunu, oi Hawke's Bay. During the troublous times of the Maori wars ho wa'i loyal to tho Europeans and to Queen Victoria. He accepted the commission of captain, and fought bravely with other friendly Maoris against To Kooti and his followers. Ho was rewarded by the presentation of a sword of honour —the gift of her Majesty, "for unfailing loyalty and valour." He w.-.s returned to Parliament- in 1879 as member for tho Eastern Maori District, and was called to the Executive as a representative of the Native race. Ho retained his seat in Parliament until 1885, and after a period of retirement was appointed, in 1897,; to a place in the Upper House. Ho retained this until his death in February, 1904. Ho was spoken of as "one of tho last of our- patriarchal chiefs."

A Great South Island Chief. The Hon. Hori Kerici Taiaroa was the son of the'great Taiaroa of the Njratiahu, • who was one of thoso who journeyed to Sydney to make an arrangement with the Governor of New South Wales, whereby the South Island of New Zealand should ho handed over to her Majesty, Queen Victoria. The late Mr. Taiaroa was elected as a member of the Houso of Representatives for the Southern Maori District in 1871, and retained his scat for 14 years, being succeeded- by the present member, Mr. Parata. In' 1885, Mr. Taiaroa was called to tho Legislative Council as a life member. Among other matters affecting tho Native race, lie was greatly interested in education, and the Ka'iapoi Native School, which gained, during the Premiership of Sir George Grey, the reputation "f. being tho model Maori school, was n*nrarded as largely a monument to his labc'irs in the cause of education. Ho was regarded as a man of p«jcc, and possessed of keen intelligence and high principles. Ho was the leading chief of the South Island, and one of the last of tho old-time rangaliras. Ho died jn August, 1905. The Donor of a Great Domain. The lato Te Houheu Takino established a claim to' lasting gratitude by presenting to the Government the splendid domain now know nas' the Tongariro National Park. Included in this magnificent extent of country are Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe, and Tongariro Mountains, with their volcanic craters, active and extinct, their hot lakes, mineral springs, and glaciers. Th:s lati To Heuhou, who was a powerful and much respected chief, was the father of Mr. To Houheu Tukino, who was president of the Maori Conference which met in Sydney Street during last year. A Distinguished Wairarapa Chief.

Tamahau Mahupuku, who died at Greytown on January 14, 1904, was the last chief of tho Ngatihikawera, of Wairarapa. Ho was one of the best-known of tho old Maori chieftains in this part of the country, and always took n promnient part in anything which he considered would lend to the betterment of tho race. He was one of the largest landholders of the district. He was active in Nativo politics, and was a firm adherent of tho present Native Minister and the late, Mr. Scddon, both of whom addressed the Maoris several times at Mahupuku's headquarters at Papawai. He was one of those chosen to represent tho Maoris at the Commonwealth inauguration celebrations. He sat on the Nativo Land Court as an assessor for a number of years, and was at the time of his death advisory councillor to the llongokako Maori Council. Speaking at tho taiigi at Kaemane, near Martinborough, tho Hon. .T. Carroll alluded to Tamahau's good work in connection with tho Wairarapa Lake difliculty, the South African war, tho sending of Maori representatives to appear before tho King, tho Maori Councils, and the preservation of tho ancient Nativo art of woodcarving. Mr. Seddon then announced that a monument would be erected by the Government to tho late chief's memory. Ho afterwards consulted, tho'Natives on tho matter, and it was understood that tho site of tho monument would bo at Tablelands, but no further steps appear to liavo been taken. Before any of these monuments can lie orected, Parliament will have to be asked to appropriate moneys for tho purpose.