Death of a Maori Chief.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 August 1910, Page 4

Death of a Maori Chief.

TUREHU. One of the most prominent chiefs of the Wanganui Natives died at Moawhango on the 3rd: inst., in the person of Terehu Ote Motu Koro. inatua, whoso age was variously stated between 70 and 90. Escorted by many natives, the remains of the dead chief were conveyed to Raetihi —a distance of over GO miles—various "taugis" being held en route. Arriving here on the 12th inst , the body, enclosed in an elaborate coffin, was placed in state along with various belongings, there to aw lit burial, befitting one of his rank. The. av'i'ival of the corpse was tilt signal for much lamenting, couchati in the poetical language peculiar to the native tongue, as instanced by — "Come, return as a Spirit to thy windy Home." Signifying that the corps was ignorant of its whereabouts, and resembled the blowing wands. Dirges were repeated by resident ohiefs, among them being Te I'eelu, Opetini and Rawiri Pa rum, and the fact that Tiirehu was at one ti.i.e a high, official'in the service of the late King Tawhiao was made the subject of a special dirge. A large number of visiting natives had gathered at the pa, and provisioning ai rangements were laid out on <n oxtensive scale. On Sunday, 15th inst., all arrangements were made for interment, and the funeral at the native ceme tery was witnssed by a large attenduiK'o of pakehas and Maoris. Weiring the tribal mats (Xfore) the pall bearers (descendants of the deceased) marched slowly to the summit of the cemetery # knoll, _ the people following. The impressivness of the scene was deepened by the sad monotoned lament of a native woman, and which may bo translated to— Alas! Alas! Only seeking: but id vain. The remnant of the House! \Vilicm is he, for whom my heart is longing? Depart trom us, 0 Friend— Knter into the House of thy Grandmother, Poingo, and receive entertainment of welcome! Trample ye the soil of the Spsnt Land, Arnibanga! Whititamn will convey you home Here are treasures, should your pets have none. The call of Pa will bo delivered from Tawhaki. The graveside rites were in the form of the Roman Catholic religion Te Aonui, a local lay-reader officiating, and the Rev. G. Kirkwood (Methodist) preaclied in the Maori tiinguage. Turohu was a native of the uppet Wansamii river. In time he journeyed to "Waikato. where he dw.?li as King Tawhiao's chief of staff Ho fought as one of Tawhiao's war riors Jill throug.li the Puketapn wat Returning to Wanganui, he ioughi in Wio Moumoutoa war, in which 1,4' father was killed. He fouflht ir mahv battles, and in 1877 he toolup his residence at Monganui-o tooa, in this district. About tweiv< months ago he went to reside n' Moawhanga, which to be thi old warrior's final enrtmly abode Of his family, five—three sons anc two daughters are living, while then are numerous grandchildren. An important ceremony at the pi nn Monday was the distribution o the cherished mats, or ngore, amon< the late Turehii's nearest descent! nuts. These have doubtless bei'i handed down through generations nnd their (historical value is consid crnble. Re-low is a translation of an ora , ..on which originated from Turehi nt the time of his service with J'a whiao. Tn Maori lore the songs am sayings of the departed are cihante< it , their'honour. The oration untie, notice loses much in translation, t\s pecially in the absence of a kno«v lodge of the mythology bearing oi the words :-■ Hero I live, as a remnant i Whaitoke. Stand aside, son! and ihearken t the indistinct sound of voices fron Waitralcii* Now report that which is brisk!. , cinitte.l from lips that will do jus response, lest time be prolonged: Let the wind that blows here hi my only living companion, and th< barking of the dogs lament wiblv me Run, jump up to t«he top of n>; mountain, Ruapehu ; let Ton gar in be your brow to enlighten ye whei viewing the mist that lies" flat a Pirongia. where dwells the magii word on w-hich my heart ie set. Ah do you not hear it —a word fuTT o bitterness transmitted hither! 0 old woman, 0 maiden, the evi weeds of the world are thistles ,uk thorns. Do ye leave them untouch pel. Translated by ,7. Kini, for tin Ohakune Times.