AGED MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 74, 29 March 1933, Page 12

AGED MAORIS

DEATH OF A CHIEF

' The last recognised chief of the Xgsiti-Parewaliaikn, sub-tribo of the Ngati-Tamatera of Hauraki and of the Xgati-Haua of Waikato, passed away at Umangawha, Colville, on March 18. This was Xeha Honana Potiki, who was 101 years of age, having been born at Umangawha in tho year 1832.

The old man, who was one of the outstanding Maoris of the province, could remember seeing, when ho was about SOVC7I or eight years of age, Captain Hobson's ship at anchor off the Tamaki. Ho had recollections of the boats putting off for the shore and. the Native'chief s gathered to- meet -the- new Governor, Pbtiki had a wide knowledge of tho v early days of Auckland City, for he lived in the neighbourhood at various tinted, as well as in' theWaikato and at Pnoroa and Thames (states tho "Xmy Zealand Herald"). After the Waikato AVar broke out he joined tho insurgents, but his father, who was attached to the Government at tho time, brought him back to Auckland. Ho witnessed the transfer of a number of Waikato chiefs as prisoners to a ship in the Waitemata Harbour. Ho went to the Thames in 1863, and was there married to Mere Matuku Mntahau of the Ngati-Uautao, a subtribe of the Ngati-Maru of Hauraki. Potild, with his wife, returned to Colville in 1870, but in 1806 they went to Turua, whore they resided with their son, Mr. P. Grace. In 1910 they went back to Potiki's birthplace and remained there until his death.

Potiki's wife, wlio survives him, is reputed to be 103 years of age.