LINK WITH HUIA ONSLOW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 2855, 7 March 1925, Page 3

LINK WITH HUIA ONSLOW.

GIFT TO THE NGATI-HUIA. A very interesting gift recalling memories of a former Governor of New Zealand, Lord Onslow, who perhaps, more than any other Governor of the Dominion, with the exception of Sir George Grey, endeared himself to the Native race, has just been received by Mr Here Nicholson, of Beach Hoad, Levin, from the present Lord Onslow, a son of the former Governor.

This is a biography of the late Huia Onslow (brother of the present Earl) who died on June 27, 1922, written by his wife. The book with the following covering letter, from Lord. Onslow, has been forwarded to Mr Nicholson by the Minister for Native Affairs (the Hon. J. G. Coates). — Chandon Park, Guildford.

Sir, —In view of the fact, that my brother, the late Huia Onslow, was honoured by being received by adoption by the Ngati-Huia on September 12, 1891, at Otaki, I venture to send you the accompanying memoir of his life, which has been written by his’ wife, in the hope that it may prove of interest to yourself and to other members of the. Ngati-Huia. —I am sir, your obedient servant. (Sgnd.) Onslow.

This letter recalls a romantic incident in Lord Onslow’s Governorship, which lasted from 1889 to 1892. During that period a son was born to him, and Lord Onslow, who took a keen interest in everything pertaining to the Maori race, decided that this son should receive a Maori name. It was during a ride down the coast from Foxton to Wellington, on which he was accompanied by the late Sir Walter Buller (after whom Buller Lake in this district is named) that Sir Walter suggested that thev might ride via Poroutawhao Pa and consult the late Karanama te Kapukai, a chief of the Ngati-Huia hapu of the Ngali-Raukawa tribe and a •recognised authority on genealogy, as to a suitable name for the child. It was this chief who suggested that he should be called “Huia,” after the ancestor from whom the hapu took its name.'This chief, famous in Maori history, was the ancestor of most of the chiefly families in the North Island, and Karanama te Kapukai assured the Governor that no more honourable name could be found in the annals of the Maori race.

The name was accepted and the child was christened in the native church at Otaki, the event being made the occasion of one of the largest gatherings of Maoris which has taken place on this coast for many decades. Two ehieftainesses of the NgatiHuia stood as Huia Onslow’s godmothers, these being Mihi Peka and Pirihira Tamehana, both of whom have descendants living at Poroutawhao at the present time. At this meeting he was formally received into the tribe as a chieftain of the .Ngati-Huia hapu.

When the Hon. Huia Onslow returned to New Zealand in 1904 as a boy of thirteen, with his sister and mother, he was tendered a great welcome at Otaki by his adopted tribe. On this occasion he presented to the Ngati-Huia a gold watch, suitably inscribed and a flag (a Union Jack with the word “Huia” inscribed across it) these being received by Mr liere Nicholson as one of the leading chieftains of the liapu. The watch and the flag, which is flown at all gatherings of the tribe at the Holdo, are treasured possessions of the tribe, and the present hook and letter will he valued also for the kindly thought which prompted the gift.

The Hon. Huia Onslow’s Hie was marked by a tragic ending. YVliile still a youth, lie met with an accident while bathing in Lhe Tyrol, which resulted in his becoming, while in the Tull promise oT early manhood, a total invalid. He did not despair, however, but devoted the ■remaining years oT his life to scientilic research with results of great value to the advancement of knowledge. His work daring the war was of the utmost value to the nation, and his example of pluck and determination in the face of the gravest physical dsability, was an inspiration to all around him and worthy of the highest traditions of the British race. His injuries eventually proved fatal, and the memoir written by his wife, is a moving tribute to a life that certainly was not lived in vain.