FUNERAL OF HONIANA TE PUNI.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 16, Issue 894, 16 December 1870, Page 3

FUNERAL OF HONIANA TE PUNI.

[evening tost, dec. 9.] Fbom an early hour this morning military uniforms of various descriptions were to be seen in .the streets, and it was evident that something unusual was astir. About half-past eight o'clock the Artillery, No. 1 Eifles, and Veteran Corps, and the Garrison Baud. paraded in considerable strength opposite the Custom-house, where they were proved by their officers, and then allowed to stand at ease to awaittbe arrival of Lieut.-Colonel Reader. On his arrival the order to march was given, and preceded by the band playing a lively air the volunteers moved dowu the wharf, and embarked on board the Rangatira, which vessel, after receiving a number of other passengers, cast off and steered down to Petoni. Despite the unfavorable state of the weather, there were a good many people assembled to witness the departure of the Rangatira, and soon afterwards many of the old settlers in the Province and leading citizens left in carriages for the Hutt. The Ranks and Government offices were closed, and so were many of the shops. It was understood yesterday that most of the wholesale houses had agreed to a holiday, but as One or two iirms refused to close their establishments, although willing to allow most of their employes to go, the arrangement fell through. Considering the exceptional character of the occasion, and the really great services rendered to the Province by Te Puni, it i 3, we think, to be regretted that the observance of a holiday in respect to bis memory should have been interfered with for the sake of all the business likely to be done. The flag at the Custom House, and those on the shipping in harbor were hoisted halfmast high. The Rangatira anchored off Petoni JBeach and landed her passengers, an operation which occupied about half-an-hour. The volunteers marched up to the residence of the deeeased, .where a considerable crowd had already assembled ; the No. 1 Hutt Rifles were full} armed, and from them a firing party was told off; the other volunteers lined the road leading to the cemetery. The Garrison, Hutt, and Artillery Bands, with No. 1 H.R., and the friends and relatives of the deceased chief, occupied positions inside the enclosure surrounding his house, the hearse being drawu up close to the door. The coffin was brought out and phiced in the hearse, the hons. Mr Fitzherbert and Mr M'Lean, Messrs. A. Ludlam, Win, Lyon, George Hunter, George Crawford, J. C. Crawford, Mehi Puketapu, Taoiiora, Te Harawira, and Karaka, acting as pall bearers. After the coffin was placed in the hearse, the" armed Volunteers took up the usual position in front, with arms reversed, and the baud played tho Dead March as the processiou formed in the following order moved off:—Mounted Police, No. 1 Hutt Rifles, the amalga mated bands, carriage of the Bishop of Wellington, the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, Revs. Fancourt and Paterson walking, the hearse, with pall taarers at side, Maori mourners, old colonists, according to date of arrival in the Col ny, from 1840 upwards. The most remarkable couple in th's remarkable procession were Mr R. J. Duocan and an old man named Wikitoa Kuri, supposed to be the oldest Maori now alive in the Colony. Carriages of his Honor the Judge, Colonel Harrington, &C, Maoris, Veteran Volunteers, No. 1 C\. W.R.V., Sir George Grey Rifles, Taita Company W.'V. Artillery, other carriages, and the public. Oa reaching the burial ground, the coffin was lifted from the hearse by the pall bearers, and ■carried to the grave, the Bishop of Wellington reading tho burial service in Ma'ori. The hon. the Native Minister then addressed the natives present in Maori, saying that Te Puni had been the first chief to welcome the Pakeha to ISew Zealand, and the Pakeha had now come to show their respect by following him to the grave. He had ever been loyal iu his actions, and the assemblage that day was a proof of the respect in which he had been held. He urged them all to follow the good and peaceable example set by Te Puui. The natives seemed much gratified by what Mr M'Leau said. The usual tivr.ee volleys were then fired over the grave, and tho yoluuteers marched down to the Hutt, where luncheon had been provided for them and other visitors, the largest portion being catered for in a most excellent manner at Valentine's Masonic Hotel, and the Na* tifo Minister, Minister of Juttice, Cojouel

Reader, and many others being equally well regaled at Osgood's. Mr Fitzherbert took occasion of the assemblage of so many old colonists attending the funeral of one. who had labored with them at the foundation of the settlement, to refer to the great changes which had occurred Since they first arrived. The volunteers had not returned to town when we went 'to press. There were over 600 people present.