BURIAL OF SIR MAUI POMARE

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4499, 2 September 1930, Page 2

BURIAL OF SIR MAUI POMARE

New Plymouth, August- 31. The ashes of Sir Maui Pomare were committed to the vault at Manukoi'ihi pa to-day, the great gathering of Maoris suddenly changing their intention to perform the ceremony to-day. It was un unforgettable scene and a feature was the wonderful singing and poi dancing of the Maoris. Te Ivapinga extended a welcome to the official party, greeted the ashes and Lady Pomare and received the representative of the Gov-ernor-General, Lieut. T. L. Elswortliy. Hon. O. Nelson and his daughters representing Samoa also arrived and were typically greeted as cousins. They brought to the pa presents of tnpu, silken mats made from a fibre of Island trees, and they expressed the Samoans’ grief and sympathy in their own form.

In the afternoon the last ceremony was performed. The casket was borne into the open to the accompaniment of wailing and moaning. It. was placed in the centre and the Anglican service taken in Maori. Most of the Maoris, joined in the singing of a hymn and the j sound was that of a. huge organ ! gloriously sweet.

Canon K. Karafka led the service and it ‘was taken up by Archdeacon G. L. Gavin and Rev. B. T. Haddon (Methodist). Others of the clergy taking' part w.ere Archdeacon 11. Haiti, Canon Williams and Rev. K. Hadfield. Other religious denominations were also represented. The scene during the service with the hundreds of people and the soft chanting of the mourners was an unforgettable one. A Wanganui party of singers formed a wonderful choir to lead the singing.- Ht. Hon. .J. G. Coates, addressing the gathering, said: “This is an occasion when we can express our last thoughts of and respects to a man held in high esteem and close affection first for his service to his country, to the Maori people and to the Pakeha.” The hearers of the casket moved slowly forward, the choir and mourners forming the cortege. . It was led by Tau Henare in front of the casket which was borne by Sir Apirana Ngata and Mr. Tuiti McDonald, M.P. (Southern Maori) at the head and Messrs J. G. Coates and K. S. Williams, M.P., (East Coast). Immediately behind followed Lady Pomare, her daughter and two sons. The wailing and chanting' increased in volume as the vault was reached. The committal of the ashes to the vault was read with solemn state, the casket, was taken into the vault and the mats and wreaths laid on the roof. There still remained for a long time a low murmur of grief from the older wahiues.