A Maori Warrior's Death.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 258, 16 December 1903, Page 4

A Maori Warrior's Death.

(Wangasniui Herald.) There died on Monday morning at lhupukU pah, Wali-tiotiara, the last connecting link between the old and the new Maori, named Kemp. Kemp was the last of those who took part in the treacherous massacre of thu Taupo natives who came down to raid the Waitotara district in about the year '4O, wihich caused great enmity between the Wangwnui River liutives and the Waitotara people. Kemp's people were always good friends to the Pakelia until they joined the king movement. On the introduction of the Gospel, Kemp became a lay reader, and owing to a strong resemblance both iu appearance and voice to the late Rev. Mr Niciiolls, who was for many years in charge of the Anglican Church in Wang-anui, he was called

"Parson Nicholls." He had also, lik« Mr Nicholls, a strong sense of humour. It may be remembered by the remnant of the early inhabitants that Sir George Grey w-as in the habit of giving flourmill plants to the natives, but they had to erect the mill themselves. One field was given to the VVaitotaras, and Mr H. C. Field, arriving about that time, was engaged by the natives to 1 erect their mill. The Maoris cut the timber and Mr Field did the millwright work. Everything went smoothly for some years, the mill business grew, and Mr Field's family multiplied. However, as the mill wheel refused to make a start and was showing signs of decay, and Kemp, noticing the discontent amongst his people and being/ a man of peace, it behoved him to do something, gave out through the week that he would preach an import am sermon on the following Smidav. Consequently the church, anrd the F.eld family pe W was full to overflowing ; and the good preacher took for ili-is text Luke xiy., 28, 20, 30, lroin which he preached a most eloquent sermon, but it failed to move the wheel, and the mill stones are now doing duty as doorsteps to two houses in the neighbourhood. It was rather hard lines, after the Maoris carrying them from Wanganui. In the troublous times of 4.i, when the up-river Maoris were raiding the Wangsmui district, the Waitotara natives sent a contingent, , ,J J' Komp, down and offered to take our settlers' stock, and did take and keep them s-afcly at Waitotara until peace was restored, and placed the early settlers under a decLwrs °" g, ' atitu,ci(i t0 them. The t. ifl Pl ? pti !' naine was K eei>a bv thn« U 't i t hIS age is estimated by those who knew him at 85 years.