DEATH OF A RANGITARA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3672, 30 July 1927, Page 3

DEATH OF A RANGITARA.

REV. HONE TERI PAERATA

The death took place at the residence of Mr. R. Rangiheuea, Park Street, Foxton, on Thursday afternoon of the Rev. Hone Teri Paerata, after a lingering illness extending over a period of nine years, aged 08 years. The body was removed to Motuiti pah, where he resided and where a tangi and the interment will take place. The deceased was born at Taupo and was a. son of Hone Teri and a grandson of Te Paerata, the famous chief of the Ngatirankawa tribe, who, in association with Rewi, made history at Orakau. Bracken immortalises this historic event in his poem “Orakau.” Deceased was also a descendant from famous tribal chiefs and warriors on both sides. On the female side he was a grandson of Papaka, the youngest of three brother's, famous fighting chieftains of the Te Heu Heu family. History records that when Te Rauparaha was sorely pressed at Te Horo by Atiawa and other tribes who disputed his right to conquer territory in and around Manawatu, Te Rauparaha called to his aid Papaka, then resident at Taupo, whose assistance resulted in firmly establishing Te Rauparaha’s overlordship on this coast.

Deceased was educated at Te Rau College, Gisborne, and was subsequently ordained by the Bishop of Waiapu as an Anglican Minister. For some time he ministered to his own people on this coast and was subsequestly transferred to the AVairarapa, being stationed at Gladstone and Greytown, where he laboured to reconcile the religious differences of the Natives in that district. While ministering to the Maoris during the' influenza epidemc, he fell a victim to the disease which resulted in a break-down of his health from which he never recovered. Deceased was a faithful and devoted servant of the church, and one who loved his people and by his own life and conduct was an example of the teachings he professed. He devoted much time to. reconciling various tribal differences and was recognised as an authority on Maori lore and genealogy and was often appealed to when disputes were up for settlement between contending parties. He was a prominent figure at all representative gatherings where matters affecting the welfare of the Maori race were under discussion. He also took a keen interest in the educational welfare of the Maori youth. Deceased was held in universal respect by both pakeha and Maori. Representatives from tribes throughout the North Island are arriving to pay their tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased. The interment will take place at Motuiti.

The Rev. W. H. Walton received a telegram from the Bishop of Wellington this morning, asking that, his Lordship’s sympathy be extended to the relatives of deceased.