Maoris Mourn Beloved Queen

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 737, 9 August 1929, Page 1

Maoris Mourn Beloved Queen

BIG TANGI AT HUNTLY NATIVES FROM ALL PARTS (From Our Overt Correspondent) HUNTLY, Thursday. The big: tangi at Huntly in connection with the death of Queen Te Marae Mahuta is causing great interest in the mining town. The natives are arriving in larger numbers than was expected and each train brings a big quota to swell the quickly-growing population at Waahi, where the obsequies are being held. The taxi-cars have been going at high pressure in conveying mourners to Waahi. Yesterday morning trains broLiglit the Ngapuhis and the NgatiManiopotos followed later. The Arawas from Rotorua were outstanding, and headed by Mita Taupopoki, were notable for dignity, solemnity, and that earnest, sympathetic bearing that always characterises these loyalists. On arrival at Waahi Pa their welcome and lamentations were especially noticeable. FUNERAL ORATIONS The funeral orations are to come, and those who are intex'ested in the native race should not miss the opportunity of visiting Huntly at the week-end. The standing orders for food are heavy. Two thousand cakes and 450 large loaves of bread is one local baker’s present order, and butchers, grocers and other tradespeople are busy with big orders. Messrs. Kearney and Ormsby, of the Native Department, have arranged details. The biggest influx is taking place today, and the natives present will be increased by over 1,800. Tomorrow should see at least 5,000 natives present, but there is no hitch in the arrangements, and with a fleet of motorlorries carrying provisions and luggage from the town to the scene of activities, no difficulties in* transportation are expected. MARQUEES BLOWN DOWN The severe gale last night played havoc with the temporary housing of the natives. In addition to the huge meeting-houses at the Maori settlement, four big marquees have been erected to house the visitors, and two of them failed to withstand the ravages of the gale and were blown down. The Arawas from Rotorua were the unlucky occupants, and confusion reigned for a while. Eventually the huge canvases were restored to their normal positions and peace and contentment reigned onco more. Sunday has been fixed for the interment at Taupiri Mountain, where the late King Mahuta is buried about one and a-half miles from the pa, and the gathering will be a memorable one. Sir Apirana Ngata will arrive on Saturday with a big retinue of tribesmen and funeral orations will be given' by the chiefs of all the visiting hapus. MESSAGE TO DEAD A telegraphic message was sent to Waahi by the Akarana Maori Association. Instead of forwarding condolences to the relatives, the message directly addresses the dead queen, this being the custom followed by all mourners attending a tangi. The message, which is addressed to Queen Te Marae, “care King Rata Mahuta, Waahi/* reads ft.s follows: ‘Haere, e whae ki to Rangatira, ki te Iwi kua heke kite po. E taea te aha Aitua koi na ano te Hurahi i haere ai o Tupuna. Ko tenei haere/’ which, translated, means, “Go, O Mother, to thy Rangatira and to thy people who have migrated to the realms of death. Fell destiny cannot be thrust aside. Such, indeed, is the pathway whence departed thy ancestors. Therefore, go.”