DEATH OF POTATAU, THE MAORI KING.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 284, 10 July 1860, Page 3

DEATH OF POTATAU, THE MAORI KING.

(From the Neio Zealander.)

The Maori King Movement is hardly fairly initiated before it meets with a great check. Te Whero Whero—" King Potatau " —is dead. Such is the news that comes to us from Waikato. Age and influenza have carried off this veteran chieftain just at the moment when his moat ardently patriotic countrymen were hoping they had laid the foundation of a permanent nationality. He himself said to his European visitors at Ngaruawahia that he was but a " bundle of bones"; and he evidently was quite aware of his approaching end. Te Whero Whero died, as we learn, on or about the 25th instant, quietly, without pain. One account states that he died, and made no sign: another that before he was gathered to his fathers, he again urged upon his fellow-countrymen the importance of preserving peaceful relations with the whiteman. Almost consentaneously with the news of the death of Potatau, we hear of the decease of Ta Kerei of Mokau—one of the most influential of the promoters of the Maori King Movement; and we learn of much mortality among the natives generally. Who will be the successor of Potatau—or whether there will be a successor to him—is a question which would puzzle the most acute native politician to decide. Potatau's son is spoken of—so is William Thompson—so is Ta Kerei of the Waikato. Others may be in the field; but now will commence the real difficulties of the " Maori King " party, for now there will doubtless be many candidates for the headship of the national party.