MAORI FUNERAL AT ORUANUI

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 40, 15 October 1952, Page 7

MAORI FUNERAL AT ORUANUI

THE LATE ROGER HEMOPO ONEROA On Saturday evening, September 27th., a tangi was held at Nukuhau, Taupo, by the Nukuhan Maoris to mourn the accidentai death of Roger Hcmopo Oneroa, aged 29?. On the following Sunday afternoon the body was taken to the pa at Oruanui, where a large crowd of Maoris gathered in the evening to pay their respect to the dead, the Catho.lic Maori ehoir of Oruanui sang Maori hymns, and during the njght prayers were conducted in Maori. On Monday afternoon , September 30th., at 3 p.m. the funeral took plaee at the Oruanui Maori cemetery in the presence of a large number of visitors, amongst whom were the manager of the Hotel Wairakei, Mr Brown, accompanied by Mrs Brown and 22 of the Wairakei hotel staff. Wreaths were put on the coffin by Mr Brown and after a characteristic Maori welcome to the visitors, Father J. de Bree eommenced the Maori funeral prayers at the Meeting House, Oruanui. The funeral procession then left for the Maori cemetery. Amongst the mourners were Mrs Oneroa, wife of the deceased, and the m other of ".Mrs R. Oneroa, of Wanganui. At the close of the funeral, there were prayers at the grave side, and the choir sang a hymn for the dead. , ■ - • s