MAKARAU.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 24 April 1912, Page 3

MAKARAU.

(Makarau Correspondent.)

In my last letter I referred to the erection, a few weeks ago, of a tomb-stone to the memory of Hemi Taiwhanga, who dropped dead in Auckland two years ago. I now regret to have to record the death of his widow, which took place at Araparera on Sunday, 14th inst.

Annie Whatawhata, or Annie King as she was familiarly known was a prominent figure in the kaingas of this district, and a favourite with both races. She was born at Puhoi sixty years ago, but lived here since girlhood. Annie was a woman of rank amongst her people and held large interests in several .blocks of land.. She was of bright, genial disposition, and in her prime, a woman of fine physique and attractive presence-

Since the tragic death of her husband her mind has been overcast with an ever deepening gloom, the " pouri" of the Maoris, which all the attentions of her friends failed to dispel. Five minutes before her death, she said she was going to join Hemi, and bade her friends farewell. The Maoris are truly a peculiar people.

The body, which was enclosed in a neat coffin, covered with black cloth, and made in the village, was not laid side by side with that of her husband, but miles apart in a lonely spot, called Tapu Point overlooking the Makarau River, amidst the seclusion and solemnity of the dense native bush, presumably because of different tribes.

Some one has said " Man fears death as children fear the dark." The assertion certainly doesn't apply to the Maori. I never knew, never heard, of a Maori man or Maori woman who was afraid to die. Indeed the Maori laughs when you make any suggestion of fear. Nor, so far as my knowledge goes, is any particular form of religious belief necessary to inspire in the Maori mind when facing the last enemy, the fortitude that becomes a man.

Chronicling destruction is not pleasant, but it must bo done, and in this connection I regret to have to record the total destruction by fire of Mr Manuell's hay-shed with its contents, on the night of the 2nd inst. It, unfortunately,was not insured, and the origin of the fire is a mystery.

The sowing of grass-seed goes on apace, and it is something to remember and be .thankful for at such a time that, in the words of Scripture : " While the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, summer andwinter, day and night shall not cease.