DEATH OF A MAORI M.P.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2362, 1 December 1921, Page 2

DEATH OF A MAORI M.P.

MR J. H. W. URU

The late Mr John Hopere Wharewiti Urn, M.P. for the Southern Maori Districts, who died' at Wellington on Tuesday, was 53 years of age, being born at Tuahiwi on March 26th, 1868, in which district he remained until about 1910. He was educated at Te Ante College. No mean athlete, Mr Urn was a famous wrestler, well known on the running track, rfnd in held sports, the high jump, and putting the shot he recorded some notable performances. A representative wing-three-quarter for Canterbury province, he was also a prominent cricketer. He held a lieutenancy in the North Canterbury Mounted Rifles on their formation, subsequently commanding the corps as captain. On the occasion of the Diamond Jubilee, in 1897, Mr Urn went to England as a member of the Maori contingent, and in 1901 went to Australia in command of a contingent of Maoris which was present at the opening of the Commonwealth Parliament. In 1902 Mr Urn paid vet another visit to the Old Country, as second in command of the Maori contingent which attended King Edward’s coronation. About 1910 Mr Urn went to Wellington, where he was engaged in a Native land agency business. lii_ 1918 he was elected as member for the Southern Maori Districts, and returned in 1919. Mr Urn, who is a descendant of Tuahiriri, a famous chief, was married to a niece of the present Waikato King, and leaves a widow with two infant.- children. When the announcement was made in the House of Representatives on Tuesday afternoon by Mr Massey that Mr J. H. W. Urn had just died, he moved that the House adjourn until half-past seven o’clock as a mark of respect to his memory. The Prune Minister added that the deceased member had enjoyed the respect of everyone who knew him. He was liked by all, and no one regretted his demise more than he (Mr Massey) did. The adjournment was agreed to.