OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 56, 30 November 1921, Page 4

OBITUARY

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. W. URU, M.P. Members of the House of Representatives received a painful surprise yesterday afternoon when iTie Primo Minister announced the death of the member ior tho Southern Maori electorate (Mr. W. Uru). “I have to announce,” said Mr. Massey, “that Mr. Uru, member for the Southern Maori district, has just died, and in consequence’Tt is my painful duty to ask the House to adjourn. I think wo shall do the right thing by adjourning till half-past seven. I am not now moving the usual moi ion with regard to the death of an ex-member. That will be done later. It seems to me there is only one thing to do at present. Wo all know I:dw the late Mr. Uru was respected by every member of the House. He was one of the most highly respected members who ever came to Parliament. Ho was a man wo .all lilted—every ono of us. Ido not think there is anyone, oven among the Native members, who regrets the death of the bon. member more than 1 do. Tho House immediately adjourned. Mr. Uru died in the Wellington Public Hospital. Ho Had been in ill-health for some time, and before he went to the hospital he told some of. his fellowmembers that ho regarded his condition as serious. His death, however, had not been expected, and came as a shock to members of the House. who baa found the big Maori member to be a kindly and genial companion. Mr. John Hopere Wharewiti Uru was born at Tuahiwi. Canterbury, on March 26. 1868, and resided in that district until about eleven years agq. He was educated at TUahiwi School and To Ante College. For some years he was engaged in farming pursuits. He was chairman, of the Tuahiwi School Committee for fifteen years, and took a great interest in educational matters concerning his Maori people. For many years before he was elected to Parliament he took a leading, part in connection with the claim of Ngatahu and Ngatimamoe in the South Island claim, and was the means of having the commissioners appointed by the present Government, wno made a favourable report with regard to the claim. He Brought the matter to a finality, and unfortunately died, iust as his great labours, extending over many years, with regard to this matter, winch affected the whole of his South Island constituents, were completed. Mr. Jru was first elected~as the representative ot the Southern Maori electorate on I'ebruary 20, 1918, at the by-election necessitated by t’he death of the lat e Chai les Parata. He defeated Toone Matapura Erihaua and Henare Parata, He was re-elected at the general election for Maori members on . December 16, 1919, when he defeated Riki te Mairaki Taiaroa (son of 'the late Hori Kerei Taiaroa, M.L.C.J, Teone Matapura Erihana, and Hoani Matui. Some years prior to his election, Mr. Uru was secretary and a representative at the conclave when Mr. Massey took office, when representative chiefs from all the tribes met to discuss laws affecting the Maori people. .As an athlete Mr. Uru achieved great distinction, especially as a wrestler, winning, amongst othor trophies, the belt as champion of New Zealand. He was the only man who threw Donald Dinnio on his' tour through New Zealand. As a' runner ho won many handicaps, and in field sports—high jump, tossing the caber, and putting the weights—lie put up some remarkable performances. One of this best days in the field was at Masterton, when he won every event in which he competed. In football he represented Canterbury as wing-three-quar-ter on many occasions. Ho also played for that province in represents! ive cricket matches. Mr. Uru took an active interest in volunteering. Ho was elected lieutenant of the North Canterbury Mounted Rifles when that corps was first formed under the late Captain Cossgrove (later Colonel Cossgrove). On the retirement of that officer, Air. Urn was elected captain. Mr. Uru went to England as a sergeant of the Maori Contingent on thfi occasion of the Diamond Jubilee in 1897 In 1901 ho went to Australia hi command of a Maori contingent to attend the opening of the Commonwealth. Parliament. In the following year, 1902, he proceeded to England as lieutenant with the New Zealand Maori Contingent on the occasion of the coronation of King Edward VII. Mr. Uru volunteered at the outbreak of the war for service, with the first Maori Expeditionary Force, but, much to his disappointment, was rejected on account of his weight—over 21 stone. Mr. Uru contested the Southern ■Maori eeat twice against the late Mr. Tamo Parate, on the second occasion being defeated by only three votes. He was subsequently defeated by the late Mi. Charles R. Parata by only 27 votes. Mr. Urn. who is a descendant of the famous Tuahuriri of the Ngati Ahuriri tribe, married a niece of the present Waikato king. Her parents were Hori Tamahare of Waikato, Riaki Tauwhere, a chieftainess of Arahura. He leaves two young children, a son and daughter. Mrs. Uru has received a large number of telegrams from the Hon. the Native Minister and a number of members of Parliament and friends, condoling with her in her loss. Deceased leaves two brothers, Mr. Hape Uru, of Christchurch, and Mr. Harn- Uru, of Auckland. The remains of Mr. Urn will be taken south on Thursday evening, to lie interred at bis native place, Tuahiwi, near Kaiapoi.