DEATH of the CHIEF TAWHAI.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 82, 6 April 1875, Page 4

DEATH of the CHIEF TAWHAI.

The N. Z. Herald says: — Our telegraphic columns last week announced the death of the renowned old chief Mooes Tawliai, aod other columns today supply an account of tbe nature of bis death, and tbe rites peculiar to the natives with wbich he was interred Moses Tawhai was one of the old race of warrior chiefs, of whom there are now so few left. Born and reared amongst scenes of rapine aod bloodshed, where life, and everything that mado Maori life desirable, could be retained only by mere force of arms — when every man must be a fighting man or nothing — then, iv those limes, Tawhai became an accomplished and successful warrior, and, many years ago, led a division in that memorable Ngapuhi army which, under Tahoho, Tamati Waka, Patuone, and other Ngapuhi chiefs, in company with Te Reuparaha, passed from north to south along the West Coast, end returning by way of Waikato, left nothing io their rear but blood, and ashes, and the bones of the dead. Subsequently Tawhai led an expedition again to the south as far as Taranaki in search of utu fora comrade. Io this expedition be was desperately wounded. After tbis be was at the storming of Taurakohia, io Waikato, where the destruction of life was, even in those days of blood, almost unprecedented. And in his middle age, before this country became a British colony, when, like " Greek meeting Gre<-k," Ngapuhi contended against Ngapuhi, Tawhai in several inter-tribal 'battles upheld his reputation aod gained .much " worship." Tbe greatest honor we can do to tbe memory of our departed friend is to record the fact that as soon as he perceived a far superior social system existed than any that he or any otber Maori chief of his time could have imagined or been expected to appreciate, he immediately, as far as his lights would go and circumstances permit, adopted it, and devoted the remainder of his life to the establishment of peace and commerce, and the rule of law and religion. The subject of this short notice was not, however, allowed to pass all hiß declining days in peace. When one-half of the Ngapuhi tribe made war against the Government in 1854, and under Heke and Kawhite attacked, sacked, and burnt the town of Xororareka, and were in advance against Hokianga, Moses Tawhai at once without hesitation hastened to join his old companion in arms, Tamati Waka, and together, though inferior in number to the enemy, these two chiefs by a month's almost continuous fighting held him at arm's length till the arrival of Her Majesty's forces, thus saving their European friends iv Hokianga from tbe slightest harm or molestation. After the arrival of the troops Tawhai and his followers continued to do good service at Wahue. at Te Ahuahu, at Ohaewai, at Te Ruahekapeka, and wherever service was to be dove until the end of the war, and when peace was at length concluded he returned to his place at Wai ma, hung up his battered arms and never used them more. Moses with others signed tbe treaty of Waitangi in 1840. For many years he held office as a native assessor, in wbich capacity he was highly esteemed. He was considerably over SO years of age at (he time of his death. It is due to the memory of the departed chiet to say tbat he was in his time a brave man, a good friend, a dangerous enemy, and he died a Christian.