HONOURING A CHIEF

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 942, 8 April 1930, Page 16

HONOURING A CHIEF

MONUMENT UNVEILED CEREMONY AT KAIKOHE Special to THE SUN KAIKOHE, Monday. In the presence.-of about SOO natives * from all parts of the district, tjie ) monument to the late Putoto Kareopa, a j < hief who died two years ago, was \ unveiled in the Kaikohe Native Church ' on Sunday. The service was con- ' ducted by the Rev. W. X. I’anapa, | assisted by Canon Keretare and the i Revs. H. Herawera and li. Te liau. j The monument, which was covered in valuable Maori mats and later un- i \ eiled by the widow of the late chief. : is a large square monolith of polished grey granite, mounted on a stepped } « oncreie base. In poetic Maori it sets j lorth that Putoto Kereopa was “a man I whose word was honoured in the conn- j « ils of his people. A pillar of the faith. Mourn, o people, for the father | who has departed. The head of the j f ,*.noe: Tho shelter from the winds. | As a rock standing in the open sea i giveth. calm to those in its shelter, j Farewell, o father: the upholder of all that is true and noble. Let those j who come after remember the good! you have done.” Air H. F. Guy. on behalf of the I people of Kaikohe, spoke of Kereopa as a man honoured by both races, | whose word was his bond and whose i life was an example and an inspiration to the young. To Korewha. Mare Tawhai, Hone Hamekfi, and Erika Ahuhata, on behalf of the four tribes. Ngapuhi, Te Barawa. Te Aupouri and Ngatiwhatua, also spoke. Those present then filed solemnly past the monument, each laying his hand on it in passing.