PASSING OF A CHIEFTAINESS.

Otaki Mail, 8 October 1923, Page 3

PASSING OF A CHIEFTAINESS.

+ • ] Ij.MA WjLN'JAT'A PUTAKA. (.iencial regret was tcit amongst tutu Europeans ami Muuii.s tinuugnuut ilia district wiieii the news was received of the death ol Mrs Winiata pouiksi, who passed away at tier re«idejice at the JLiukio lu.st week alter several months' illness; aged &i years. Thu late Etna Winiata, who was a ehieUainess ol high rank, was universally respected, more especially amongst the older settlers of the district, lor her sterling character and the splendid influence which she exercised amongst her family and the natives generally, to all of whom her passing will he a distinct loss. A grand-niece of the celebrated Te Whataiiui on her mother's side, she was one of ihe rapidly diminishvingi number of the old rangitii'a who had imbibed the true patriarchal spirit, of chieftainship, and was an authority on the intricacies of Maori custom and etiquette. On her mother's side she was descended from Hine-PororangL sister of Hli© famous Te Whatanui, paramount chief of the Ngati-Raukawia, who in InM at the invitation of Te Rauparaha, to whom he was related, led his tribe from the Mnngatautari country in the

Waikato to occupy t.hi s part, of the Manawatu, then recently conquered from title original (inhabitants, the Vgati Mauopoko. Pie it was who stayed the ruthless policy of extermination which Te Raupa'raha had sworn igainst the original inhabitants, guar■mteeing in the phrase which has since become historical: "Nothing can touch me but the rain from Heaven,” his ability to protect them from even the power of Tc Tlnuparaha. Thp late Mr s Winiata’s father was an English gentleman named Albert Nicholson, who years ago farmed the Wirokino run near Foxton, and who married Kararaina (Caroline), daughter of Te Whatanui sister Hine-Poro-7’angi. Her brother, Rere Nicholson is a, well-known and respected resident of the district. Thei deceased lady was married at the age of sixteen to Winiata Potaka, and has resided at. the Hokio confinnonsly since her marriage. She is j survived by her husband and 14 children, amongst whom are Martin, 7'ohu and Tom Winiata, well-known in football circles, and to all of whom general svmpethv will be extended 1n

their loss. Tn accordance with native custom, a tangi is being held, and as befits the rank of the deceased is largely’ attended. representatives being present from the many tribes in the vicinity _to which she was related, whilst during the next few days members of the Waikato tribes to which she was related through Te YVhatanui may he expected to attend.