THE LATE HONE HEKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 19, 16 February 1909, Page 4

THE LATE HONE HEKE.

THE SCISXJ2 AT XEW PLYMOUTH.

On Saturday afternoon a fairly large party of local Maori© gathered at the local railway station to meet the bodv of the late Hone Heke. But the arrangements had been altered, and the mournful cry which rose from the wahincs o; the party as the train approached evoked no answering* wail lroni the oneomiii" traia. °

] The remains were biuught to Xew My. . mouth by the express. A break was seen i in the long line of lights of the vehicles waich made up the train. One iinlighted vehicle with sombre exterior, beariii" lit the corners, and on the doorways, aud any other place where loving lingers 30uld entwine them, were sprigs jofj, native foilage, the emblem of the grief oi the Maori people. Within that van lay the mortal remains of one whom -Maori and European alike had delighted to honour, and whose departure from this earthly plane was mourned in many places. And as the engine rushed past the railway station the long, loud, and penetrating cry of the female mourners rose high above the roar of the rolling train. Tlie gricf-strickeu folk wlio accompanied the corpse cried their lameat, and the Maoris of North Taranaki job-' ed in the expressions of grief, then ( followed the hongi, tlie rubbing of noses between the two parties: The lament j w:is a message of farewell such as might have been accorded in years past to a departed warrior chief. Amongst the party, and apparently directing the movements, were the Hon. dames Carroll, Native Minister, and Mr Parata. r J he latter informed our reporter that the party was one representative of the. Xatives of Smith Ishnd, ami Otaki, Waikanae, Wanganui, and other kianga?, and including Parat;., 3011 of a previous Maori M.P. Hon. Carroll said that th? Maoris from the many kiangas for many n':;!es around Auckland were arranging a tangi for Monday, after which, 011 the 1 same day. the party would leave liv steamer for Russell, en route, to Koiholie, the birthplace of Hone Heke, and the home of his people, where there would be a great tangi, nttended by Maoris from all parts of the Auckland peninsu* la, and these 27 leading natives from various kaingas accomptr,lying the bmh-. At tlie wharf at Motnroa the wailing commenced afresh. The scene tras aj weird one. The night was windy aml I rough, and the electric lights mad,, a! brightly illuminated area along the/ steamers side. Tn the siiado'.v stood lii' 3 mortuary van. As its doors were opened, and preparations m.ad'e to trails!" a' ■ the casket to the vessel's hold, a part y of wahines stationed themselves ju st v-ilhont the circle 'of light, and rent,!Uie »'"■ wi ;l> their increasing cries. AmJ the \ " (angicontinued until the vessel! 'had cast oil her li'ies and left for Onelnicnga. The funer.il obseijuies will priEi aidy extend ov«jy several weeks.