HURIA MATENGA (JULIA MARTIN).

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 511, 19 May 1909, Page 4

HURIA MATENGA (JULIA MARTIN).

-:: GRACEDARUINC, NELSON. '* •Sir,—l liavo been waiting to see if anyone else would remark on a little, incident (although',. small- -in itself it seems' to those concerned a big, matter). 'Everyone' has read -in the 'daily' paprs .'of the death of onj "Grace Darling," aB sho was called. Thero is no need'to,recount how by swimming out .to tho wreck of 1 tho Delaware she rescued 23bou1s.'. Has over a.man dono a liko deed here? -That was in her younger days, and everybody that ovor,mot her had admiration and' respect for. her. ' Around Nelson she was beloved by pakcha and Native nliko, many, distinguished, visitors 'travelling ..miles to have tho honour of mooting her. I havo 1 had the-.privilege of knowing her for yeara

(being an old pioneer myself),' and at tho Inst wont to pay one old woman's respects to another. Wreaths, letters,'.and telegrams of condolence were there by the score from all, parts of tho Dominion, showing, how was the respect, and yot'neither the Prime Minister nor Government thought it worth while to even send a wiro. Now 1 boliovo I am quite right in this point,' and it was through talking the matter over with a rclativo that induced mo to write.'; I am no scholar, for fifty years ago wo did not havo the advantages of education which now prevail: wo were busy building up a colony;'but thought you might perhaps find room for nits- to.say that, relations, pakeha; and, Natives have all remarked on the point of neglect. The last tribute- that need .bo paid was. ignored; and to such a woman; but'tho old saying, "too old," perhaps, applies. Would tho late Premier hare neglected a point liko that?. No: he,would, if possible, have journeyed to the graved side, and,. as representing the. Dominion, breathed a prayer; at any rate,,' ho r would have shown some official: recognition. ,-'■ Sympathy .costs nothing,'.but means a great.deal. Now, I am afra'id-I havo written more than I intended. 'It is tho first.time (and I daresay tho last time)-1 have troubled, you 01 .anyone else in this .respect, but please forgive.—l am,, etc., '■.'■■ ONLY,AN OLD WOMAN-OF'SEVENTY. ' Nelson, May 11/ ...'■•'..