MAORI WARRIOR

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1932, Page 6

MAORI WARRIOR

BATTLE OF MOUTOA -SURVIVOR

DEATH AT WANGANUI

WANGANUI, June 1. Hori Pukehika, the last survivor of •the Battle of Moutoa, on the Wanganui River, died at the age of 85 last night. He was a well-known character in and about Wanganui since th e settlement became a town of. importance.

Some fifty years ago he was known to the Maoris, old and y o ung, on A e. river, and he probably knew more than any other man of the rapids, currents, and eddies of the Wanganui River. He had considerable influence among the river Maoris, and was of great assistance in the arrangement of the annual New Zealand championship speed-boat and Maori canoe championships. His veracity was never questioned, and hi? advice had been sought by several historians .interested in Maori and early Wanganui history. Hore Pukehika was born at Pipniki in 1847.

Mr J. H. Burnet, director of the Alexander Mm-eum, Wanganui, states that Pukehika was the fast of tha old school of Maori wood carvers. He w"r a true artist, and had carved some magiicent panels for the first' Christchurch n'bib'tion. He was a learned man, a keen antiquarian, and a life trustee or the Wanganui Mm-eum. M ,: s work is preserved and valued in Wanganui and in other parts of New Zealand.