THE LATE HONE HEKE, M.P.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 16, 12 February 1909, Page 4

THE LATE HONE HEKE, M.P.

AS APPRECIATION. tu o ur telegraphic news on Tuisduy night (writes "C. ui Hie J'.llnum Argus) there appeared a paragraph announcing Ike dcatn of one oi the. -Maori members of Parliament, -Mr. Hone neke. And the sad uew.i would cause a pang of sorrow to puss through the hear is oi all those old members ot Parliament who knew him in his early Parliamentary days. Ho entered the House in 18UU, and at once made friends. Vouug, liaud- | some, educated, generous-hearted, and I courteous, he was made much of in society. Perhaps society paid him too I much attention lor his own good; but

Unit is now all a matter of Lhu past. In ihu House ho was ipiiekly recognised | M a capable debater, and iu the strenuous ilajo ui wo cany Ms lie became a noted stoneivaller in committee. I'l'ubably no one ever grasped the forms ol the House more quickly than he did, and Ins stonewalling was artistic to a degree. (lifted witlt a soft, musical voice, a thorough knowledge of the English language, and a charming, courteous liiiiwinci, lie \miml slonewiu! in a style that never made members angry, for his winning suiili always tinned awuy wrath, Sometimes, wnen lie was entireI, irrelevant m in» remarks, lie would ."ui-ur uiv inspiciisuru of the Chairman of ConnjuiU'is, who would eall linn l« order. Then it was aiiiusi.ig to note the look of piiiui'd surprise that lleke would assume, and Willi a courtesy of manner that wit-, absolutely Chcstcrliildian he would c\imtiate upon the veneration he entertained for the ruling ol tile Chair- , gress tin forms of the House; and th-;:i °e would immediately proceed to transgress »till further. On t-hese occasions the House would lie convulsed with laughter, lor hi* lengthy apologies were onlv an addition to his stonewalling; but" he carried it through iu such a subtle manner, in such a winning, persuasive volet- and with such a pleasant smile that even the Chairman found it dillicult _to be severe upon the goodlooking young .Maori who was, with a chai'ining air ol' innocence, skilfully driving a coach and horses through the Standing Orders. But he had his serious moods as well, and many an impassioned speech he lias delivered on matters pertaining in tlic welfare of his race, lie was a descendant of the famous Hone llekc, the -Maori chief who cut down the llugsull at Koroi-nroke, and therefore the blood of rangatiras llowed in his veins, lie was proud of his race and possessed a line knowledge of their legends and

customs, of which he would talk freely when he had interested listeners. He | was gifted with a beautiful tenor voice, and many an audience has he charmed with his singing of "Because I Hove | Vou'' and other songs which he used to translate into and sing in his native tongue. And now he has, as the old Maoris used to express it, "slipped down the pohutnknwa tree," and we shall see him no more. And old memories come back and one thinks of the generoushearted, talented young fellow who perhaps did not take life's work seriously enough, but whoso acquaintanceship is a pleasant recollection. It is easy to conjure up his appearance at some of Ike Parliamentary socials. faultlessly elad in evening dress, glossy curly hair, aquiline (almost Jewish) features, expressive cms, a graceful, slim figure, and a particularly pleasant smile, he was most attractive. He could always, without previous preparation, deliver a pleasant speech in perfect English, or „„i.l .. „ vm,.„ m musical as that

his would, 'ma voice as musical as m.n uf tlio kuku, sing a song in -Maori mi Knglisli. or take part in a Maori waiata or luika. tin these occasions lie was :.. man of mark in the company, ami mi'ii and women were only too pleased to shake hands with, anil converse villi Iloiie Heke, whose natural courtesy and gentlemanly demeanour made him so attractive a personality, lie has passed to the '-Land of No Return,'' bill it will he long ere he is forgotten by Ins old collea"ues iu Parliamoul, and when they speak" of him it will be- with kindly words, anil with a sigh of regret Unit he was taken away so soon. '•But death is nothing new. Death is, has over been, since Maui died of oUI '" r ~ Ifaere-ra! Haere-rn! son of a.noble race. If in the mystic future there be meetings and recognitions of old friends we hop" to meet again; and the future abode, that is good enough for the -Maori chief is also good enough for one who loved h'uu well.