PATRIOTIC MAORI WOMAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1672, 8 February 1917, Page 4

PATRIOTIC MAORI WOMAN.

A Maori woman, 70 years of age and not very strong, set an excellent example of practical patriotism at the Military Service Appeal Board, says the Gisborne Times, She had appealed on behalf of her adopted son, and in the course of her evidence said that she had sent her manager to the front two years ago. In discussing her position with the Board, she said that her son was the only help she had on the station, but she was quite willing that he should go after the rush of work was over’. She thought she could get assistance from (he Maoris (hen, and she expressed her willingness to give what assistance she could on the farm. She said that as old as she was she could ride a horse, and would he able to help in the mustering if her health permitted, and she could supervise the work. It came out in the course of her evidence that she had given valuable assistance to the pakehas at the time of the Hauhau troubles, although most of her tribe turned Hauhaus, and her lands were confiscated by the natives in consequence. She cheerfully undertook to do the best she could under the. present war conditions, and regretted that she had not a dozen sons so that she could send them to the war. Captain Walker wished her every success, and complimented her upon her decision. He wished everyone was like her, and said that she set an example to the white people. “I come from a fighting race,’' she proudly answered.