THE LATE MRS PITIROI

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 42, 29 October 1952, Page 1

THE LATE MRS PITIROI

LAST RITES AT NUKUHAU j The funeral service, conducted by ; Father De Bree, of the Mcs | Hemi Pitiroi ioox place at Te I Rangi-ita meeting house, Nukuhau, I at 11 p.m. on Monday, October 20th. During the service, several hymns were sung by the Ngapuhi Catholic I choir from Hokianga (this choir was trained and led by Mr Jack Anania). The interment took place at ! Nukuhau. The casket was borne to ihe cemetery bearing the flag of the Maori Health League inscribed with "Ropu O Te Ora," and feathered mats. Amongst over 1,000 people who ! had visited the Marae to pay tribute to and mourn the loss of this chieftainess of the Ngati Tu wharetoa were the Paramount Cliief, Hepi Te Heu Heu Tukino; Ohief Judge Morrison; Mr Ropiha, an under-sec-retary of Maori Affairs. Father J. Aardts, of Waihi; Father Van Tilborg, King Country Maori Priest; Miss Cameron, President of the Wpmen's Health League; Guid© | Rangi, Whakarewarewa; Mrs Hakai raia and other representatives of lairawhiti L^eagues, on their way back from Ngaruawahia; Mr. Kepa Ehau (Rotorua); Mr W. Tuiri ■ (chairman), and other members of the Tuwharetoa Trust Board; Mr B. 1 G. Christy, Welfare Officer; Major R. Vercoe, chairman of the Arawa Trust Board; Mr George Te Tomo. /chairman of the Tribal Committee (Mokai); Mr Patrick Hura, Mananui; Mr Robert Atutaki , Hastings; Te Rangi-ita Tanaira, Taumarunui. M.any orations were delivered stressing the late Mrs Pitiroi's interest in eveiything^ that was beneficial for the material and spiritual welfare of the Maori people and her insistence of keeping the Maori language alive. The deceased had maintained that the upkeep of the language would be the only link with the ancieiit Maori customs; if the Maoris forsook their own tongue the customs would lapse and this should never be • permitted. She also showed great interest in the old traditional Catholic hymns and was one of the leading* Catholics of her tribe. Her poliey was that the Maoris should proceed along Pakeha lines, but, toalways maintain their own culture, traditional ceremonies and languages. One of the deceased's most treasuied possessions was a golden key to the Janet Frazer Maori Hostel in Rotorua which was present to her at the opening. Mrs Pitiroi is survived by her husband, Mr Hemi Pitroi, an adult family of nine, 31 grandchildren, and 4 great grandchildren.