HETA TE KANI-A-TAKERAU

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2040, 27 March 1907, Page 2

HETA TE KANI-A-TAKERAU

a largo gathering Of nativms and about forty Europeans tlie native church at Te Aral yes day to take part in the ceremony o unveiling a monument erected to tlie memory of the late Hotu To Ksni-a-Takera'i.. In a pleasantly-situated and sheltered spot about fifty yards horn the Anglican Maori Church, and in view of the main road, stood the monument some 111 or 14 feet high, covered with the Union Jack when the visitors arrived; a couple of exquisite Maori mats wore, spread oul on its base, and an iron railing lei into blue granite surrounded the pedestal. The ceremony of unveiling the monument was commenced b.v a procession from the church, licadeo by the Rev. ltangi, of Alahia, who chanted a service of the Anglican Church, in which the natives joined in quaint hut pleasing harmony and with remarkable precision. AVlicn the service was ended a Maori hymn warsung by the relatives of the deceased, Te Kaui, from Tolaga Bay. The lion. AVi Bore, facing the monument,, then addressed the Maoris. He said that the custom of erecting a monument was borrowed Irom the Rakolia. In the days when Te Kani’s lather lived they would not think ol erecting anything that would reveal the burial place of a chief,, and would not place a patu'ku over the grave ol a baby. In olden days their chiefs were buried in secret, and no one knew -whore. The reason for this was the fear that their enemies might find the graves and make fishing hooks out of their bones, and this was the greatest insult that could he offered to the deceased chiefs and their people. They did not mind erecting men aments to the living because they could defend themselves. Now they lived in times of peace end had no fear of such insults. To Kani’s father v/i-.s a peaceful mail, and a good man. and so was his son. AA'i Pore paid a high tribute to tlie memory of Te TCani and liis ancestors.

His Worship tlie Mayor of Gisborne, Air. J. Town ley, then unveiled tlie monument and revealed a bandsome piece of workmanship representing a life-size figure of a seraph with half-folded wings carved out of white stone and let into a base of squarecut polished blue granite, on which were the inscriptions in Alaori and English detailing the dates of deceased’s birth and death'and expressing the sorrow of bis people. Mr. Townley said that tlie monument would remind the older people of the many good deeds of tlie deceased and his ancestors whom they know, and tlie younger generation would lie reminded by it of what their forefathers had done to merit the perpetuation of their memories.

The Him. AVi Pore then presented His AVorship with the two mats that had .lain on the monument, and His AVorship" returned thanks. The visitors ’were then invited to partake of Alaori hospitality at the pah at Pakirikiri, and some two hundred people wended their way thither. After a repast on cold fowl, preserved pigeon, and a plentiful supply of sweetmeats, His Worship thanked the Maoris for their hospitality, arid requested Air. Uu'kcre to convey the message to the natives in their own language. Three hearty cheers wore given for the Maoris hv the Europeans present, and the ceremonies ended.

Deceased was well-known in Gisborne for a number of years before ids death. He was tlie only son of Hirini to Kaui ,who -held the greatest power among representatives the native race in the district. Ji) addition to the rank inherited from' bis ancestors, ILirini bad conferred on him the maim of To lvani a Tukirau, whose -chieftainship of the East Coast was undoubted in the days of Sir Donald McLean. Hirini is said to have led the last-’ Maori war party abroad in the district. It was ill the*' early days of European settlement, and lie made war upon a northern rival who had been more successful than he in love. The deceased chief had a short and uneventful life, dying at the age of 30. He left three children. He was a victim to consumption, and his last . days were spent in seeking to recover his health. It will be remembered that the efforts of a Alaori tolnmga to cure him by throwing buckets of water over him at daybreak formed tlie subject of a Supreme Court trial. ■The monument' is surmounted by tlie figure of an angel, which was supplied by Alcssrs. Parkinson and Coy., of Auckland, and placed in position by Alcssrs. Frank Harris and Coy.. Gisborne. The Gisborne firm also supplied the concrete bases, railing, etc. The monument was erected at tlie. wish of the many native friends of deceased. It- cost over £IOO. Aloney to defray the cost of it was gathered at 1 the meeting yesterday.