ANOTHER MAORI TANGI.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXV, Issue 208, 18 September 1903, Page 4

ANOTHER MAORI TANGI.

TO THE EDITOB. I Sib.—lt is only about a fortnight ago that your valuable paper gave an account of a large tangi at Puniho over the death of Taiawhio, and now we have to record the death of his eldest i daughter, Ma-ma Taiawhio. She was on a visit to some friends at Rahotu, and after a few days was about to corns back to Puniho, when she dropped dead. The body was brought to Puniho, where a tangi was held, but not 1 on bo large a scale as that of her father. 1 There is the usual supplies of bread ' and meat, but only six barrels of beer and about one dozen of whisky. There are about 200 adult visitors present. 1 Everything is very orderly, the bread : and meat is laid out in order as usual, 1 and an extra quantity of tobacco (over 200 stick*) and matches all laid iu order for distribution amongst the visitors, and a fine display of new clothing, blanket*, shawls, cotton goods, etc., all to make presents. lam informed on good authority that a vote was taken an to drink being supplied. It was only carried in favour of the beer by a few Parifaaka natives, who contributed largely to the beer fund. I don't think it is any use talking to Maoris about drinking beer, etc., so io g as they see the Euiopean using it in the same way. I said to a sensible looking native " This is a great waste of money." He took ma by the arm, " Oome here," he said, " You see the stamps on the barrel, now how much is it the Government take for that one small barrel." According to the quantity in the barrel he made it come to 3d per gallon. " K," said he, ''You sco die Govornmaiit go halves with the man that m?.kea the baer, and it must bo good, for tho people or the Government MVir iof, us people get it to drink." Ho had mo prfitty well by the collar, bo I lot things stand as they , wore. The decoded was about 35 years of her husbaud'a name is fapaki, a good, kind fellow. They had a large family, but several died when young. There is one girl about 13 or 14 years and a boy aboift 12 or so, and some younger ones. The mother sent them to the Ok ato school for j years and now they attend the Puniho school. I think those interested in the the welfare of the native race should sea after this young Maori girl. She i can read and write and speak English fairly well, and now when the mother ! is gone, things might not go on so well for her. The boy is a smart chap, and fife to take care of himself, he can also ■ read and write, and understands English fairly well. The deceased was a good mother to them, and now the ' want of another guardian will be felt. Talking is no use, example is the whole thing with the natives. The burying took place on Tuesday, and all the i clothes with the shawls and blankets went into the grave aooording to native custom. A good many natives on their way to Parihaka on Wednesday made a short stay at Puniho.—l am, etc. ■ Om WHO HIS A BKSPECI FOB THE Maoris.