105 YEARS OF AGE

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 249, 20 October 1939, Page 2

105 YEARS OF AGE

NOTABLE MAORI'S DEATH

MRS. NGARORI DELAMERE

Mrs. Ngarori Delamere, the grand old lady of the Whaiuiu Apanui tribe, was carried to her rest at Wliitianga on Wednesday. The pall-bearers were: Messrs. Clem. Black (grandson), Boris, James, Bill. Dick and Bob- Black (nephews). Many Maori and! Pakcha friends gathered at the graveside, where Rev. Paul Del am ere, son of the deceased, delivered an inspiring address of resurrection hope. At the tangi, which was attended by Sir Apirana Ngata. and representatives of other tribes, it was revealed that Mrs. Delamere was 105 years ojd at the time of her death. The name of her tribe, Wluinau Apanui. means children.of Apanui, and her noble ancestry could be traced on one side in a direct line to the great Apanui. and on the other side to the Whakatohca tribe. She had in her own right the large greenstone mere which belonged to and was used by Apanui himself. After the historic war between the Ngaitai (T overt*) Maoris and her people, she married Mr. Era Delamere and they were among the pioneers who carved their way along the coast to form new pas and prepare new battlements. Her ' courageous faith was always an example to her people. On oiie occasion a band of warriors from the 'Hast Coast arrived at tin/ Omaio pa, and with much ferocity delivered their ultimatum, that unless the people immediately ceased from having their worship and turned from following Te Kooti. their heads would- lie cut off: While the enemies were still brandishing their weapons, the bell for prayers was heard from the Delamere heme nearby. Such was Mr. and Mrs. Delanierois answer. At the great opening of the Motu River bridge, it was Mrs. Delamere who was rightly chosen t© cut the ribbon which opened her bush tracks to he what is now a highway of unrivalled scenic beauty. She is survived by her family of two daughters and four sons: —Mrs. John Black. Mrs. K. Te Kani, and Messrs. Karauna. Weihana, Hiki and Paul Delamere.