MAORI CHIEF’S DEATH

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3962, 29 June 1929, Page 1

MAORI CHIEF’S DEATH

NOTABLE WA'IKATO FIGURE. CHAMPION OF NATIVES’ RIGHTS. The paramount chief of the Wlaikato Maoris, Taingakawa Tamehana. te Wahajroa, died at Auckland on Monday, aged 94. He was a son of Wfiremu Tamehana te Waharoa. (William Tholmpson, the king-imaker), who played a leading part in the Waiiklato Whr. The surrender of Wiremu Taimehana to General Carey, through the overtures of Mr. George Graham, Virtually ended the war.

Taingakawa Tamehana was a small child -at the time of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. He did not engage in fighting during the war, although his bjrother and father carried arms. During his life Taingakawa was always a warm champion of Maori rights. At one time he was offered a seat in the Legislative Council, but he refused it. He petitioned the Government on several oclcasions for redress of alleged grievances of the natives.

Hjo was Prime Minister to Te . Rata, the present Waikato king. Finding representation to the Government of little avail, the two undertook a trip to England in 1914. 1 hey were received by the King and had opportunity to air their grievances. The Great W/ar broke out during their visit and they returned to New Zealand. Little attention could he paid to the demands of the natives durinjg the years, which followed, but in 1927 a Royal Commission was set up. It investigated the Maori claims and awarded compensation for land taken. Much of the credit for having the commission established was claimed by Taingalkiawa Taimehana. In 1925 he again went to England, this time in company with Ratana, the Maori prophet. On this occasion he was ■received 'by the Prince of Wales.

To the last, Taingakawa held the belief that the Waikato tribes would receive large sums of money from England to compensate them for losses of land, and lie continually instructed bis committee to this effect. The chief leaves only one son, Tarapipipi Taingakawa, who is now in failing health. A tangi is at present n progress at the dead chief’s residence at Mbtrrinsvillie.