DEATH OF KEREI TE PANAU.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 442, 21 November 1908, Page 4

DEATH OF KEREI TE PANAU.

There passed away at his home, at Awapuni, on Thursday, one of the most notable of the older generation of native chiefs, Kerei Te Panau. On Wednesday he had been spending the day at Oroua Bridge with some relatives, and prior to returning home they urged him to stay the night with them. He replied, “ No, I must go back to my home.” On reaching Awapuni he had tea, and then said he would go and lie down. About 8 o’clock he called his wife to him, and told her he was going to meet his relations and friends, who had died before him. He asked her to see that his affairs were looked after, and shaking hands, he sank back, and never spoke again, although he remained conscious till 12.30 o’clock. He died at 1.15 a.m. Te Panau was 103 years of age, and had splendid health to within the last two or three months. Te Panau was engaged in many fierce engagements, fighting at Te Nguto o-te-manu, where von Tempsky was killed, against Titikowaru with Major Kemp, and also against the outlaw Te Kooti. Kerei te Panau was a boy at the lime that Te Rauparaha was slaughtering his people, but escaped during the first raid.