Page 3 Advertisements Column 1

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7750, 28 February 1905, Page 3

An interesting incident, showing something of the Maori character, is described in an Auckland i)apcr by Mr James Mackay, ex-Comuiissioncr of Native Affairs at the Thames, apropos to the recent death of Hotcrene Tainehana (ShontiUind Thompson), eldesr son oT the celebrated |Wiremu Tainehana, who was termed, [the Maori kingmaker. Old Wiremu, not lieiiig certain which of his two sons ought to succeed him in the .chieftainship, derided to test their 'dispositions, lie sent Tana, his A.,cond son, with a message to some neighbours. At that time a deserter Ifvoiu one of the Imperial regimc-Us, I was living with the Tamehaoias, and working for them. The father spoka suddenly to the eldest son (Hoter'enc), and said, " Load that gun," hiointinK to the one standing in the Corner of the hmisx. }loter t n" iifked. " Why should ] load the gun ?" The father replii-d : '• J, ()m | it ; ,t once, and go and shoot the European soldier.'' Hoiterene, without comment, proceeded to carry out his father's orders: but as he was leaving the house the father cried out, ('■ Come back ; you are a f'oo! ! " Shortly afterwards Tatni Tameliana returned to' the huuse, and his father said " That gun is loaded. Take it and go and shout the pakohn soddjer." Tai|a stared at his father. ami replied, " Why, father, what J wrong as he done? He was all ■night this morning : he is a good worker, very quiet, and never causes | trouble. Why is he to be shot '.' '■' jThe father replied, " I did this to try you. You have sense, and tefloct before you act. Your brother is a fool. When I ordered him to shoot the pakeh'a he walked off to do it 'at once. T depose Hot en-no from the chieftainship, and appoint you io be iiny buccesaor."