Untitled

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 405, 2 July 1908, Page 4

A large tangi has just been concluded at Mokai (Auckland) over the body of Ahumai te Paerata, who recently died there. The deceased woman was a chieftainess of high rank, and was famous in Maori history as taking part in the battle of Orakau, in the Waikato, against the British troops. After Rewi gave his defiant reply to the British ultimatum to surrender — namely, 11 We will fight on for ever, and ever and ever !” the officer, Major Mair, then requested that the women and children should come out of the pa, so as not to be killed. Then Ahumai te Paerata, who was a young woman jumped on the parapet, and also hurled at the British the historical reply namely, “Where our fathers and brothers die, here we also shall die.” So Major Mair, retired, and the siege went on with fierce determination on both sides. Ahumai had one of her fingers shot off, another bullet passed through the palm of her hand, and two more bullets pierced the body, yet she still fought on till the British troops ultimately won the battle, after great loss. Ahumai was about 84 years of age. A well-known Northern stationholder has (says the Dunedin Star) startlingly proved the efficacy of certain fly-papers. During the summer season he was plagued with flies, and spread these wellknown fly - catchers everywhere. The first day he caught many flies, three fowls, two rats, and a mouse; the second day a cat and two turkeys 'his neighbour’s); the thiid day two mice, a fowl, and a rabbit were entrapped!

Weckly English Mail Service —A .steamer will leave Wellington for Sydney every Friday, and will connect with mail leaving Sydney for London on Tuesday evening. At Watchorn and Stiles you can buy dress goods at is, wool blousings is 3d, velveteens 7-id, and flannelettes at 3s 6d a dozen. — \ovt-