OBITUARY

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 13, 8 October 1937, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR DANIEL ELLISON * Mr Daniel Ellison (Raniera Erihana), of Te Aute,( a member of the Maori race who was highly respected by both Pakeha and Maori, passed away early yesterday morning at a private hospital in Hastings, at the age of 68 years. The late Mr. Ellison had a wide circle of friends in Hawke's Bay and elsewhere, while among his own people he was greatly loved. On numerous occasions he had fought on behalf of the Maori in and out of Court and before Parliamentary committees and commissions. Not only had he & deep knowledge of Maori lore, but also a profound understanding of their cus- : toms, legends, traditions, geneologies I and spngs. He was a member of the | eouncil of the Hastings Historical So- | ciety. • ^ Thu8 has a great rata fallen and, in ! its fall, there will be much very sincere sorrow and lamentation, much historical knowledge will be lost, and the Maori race will lose a champion. Educated at Otago primary native schools and at Te Aute College, Mr. Ellison excelled in athletics and ,football, and was a prominent member of the 1893 college football team which toured unbeaten through many parts of New Zealand, defeating Poneke, Wairarapa, Soutfy Canterbury and other prominent teams. Mariculating early, he married Miss Mabel Hapuku Te' Nahu, a daughter of a paramount chieftainess of Hawke's Bay. Mr. Hori Tupaea is Mrs. EUjlson's half-brother. Of the issue two sons and two daughters survive. They are Mr. Clarence Ellison, Mr. Riehard Ellison, Mrs. Queenie Brightwell and Mr. William Ngata. The eldest son, Thomas, was killed at the Somme during the Great War. The late Mr. Ellison has three brothers living— -Messrs. J. M. Ellison, of Puketeraki, and D. Ellison, of Otakau, both farmers of Otago, and Dr. S. P. Ellison, C.M.O., of the Cook Islands, who is at present spending three months' holiday in Hastings. Mr. Ellison was always a dutiful father and his widow and family will greatlv mourn their loss. Sheep-farming became his early and chief occupation and, in the coUrse of time and by careful experimentation, he had succeeded in building up a fine flock. His clip has often topped the price for New Zealand, which Is evidence of his ability and skill in sheepfarming, and he gave freely of his knowledge. Always honest and straightforward in his dealings, the late Mr. Ellison earned the respect of all with whom he came in contact. He was always anxious to eee good, sane, sound government, and in this way he was a good British subject and a loyal citizen. On his maternal side he was a direct descendant of Taiaroa and of .Karetai, paramount chiefs of the South Island, who sold most of the South Island to thd Government in 1840. On his paternal side, too, his is the onlyline surviving of the famous old Taranaki warrier, Rangiwahia, who earned for himself the title of "th0 New Zealand Napoleon.'.' In spite, however, of his proud ancestry, Mr. Ellison was always modest and humble, the embodiment of selfahrogation. None was too poor or ragged, European or Maori, for him to frateruise with. So in his passing has gone a great Maori and a good British subject, the embodiment of an ideal, a monument and an example to future generations of the Maori race, in whom tho process of miscegenation is steadily taking place. " To this departing soul will go out the traditional Maori message: Haereatu ral Haerel Haere! Haerel Interment will take place at Kahuranaki (Te Hauke) on Sunday at 2.30 p.m.