THE LATE HONE HEKE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 21, 18 February 1909, Page 2

THE LATE HONE HEKE.

A Jilt; TAXGI. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Xight. The Kaikohe correspondent of the New Zealand Herald telegraphs that the remains of the late Air. Hone Hoke, accouiipanicd by the Hon. J. Carroll and a number of southern natives, reached the .settlement of Nguwha yesterday afternoon, where a large gathering of natives awaited the body. 'This morning the cortege, an imposing procession of uOO people, came on to Kaikohe, the birthplace of tho lamented chief, ami where preparations for what will probably prove to be one oi the largest tangia held in New Zealand in recent

times were in progress. Cooking plaees, eating houses, and two enormous marquees for sleeping quarters have been erected, and eloso on one thousand natives are already in, camp. The approach of the cortege was heralded by a ' volley of continuous gunshots from the 1 . look-out party situated upon a knoll j I near the roadside. As tho funeral | party, partly obscured in clouds of dint, drew near, a haka contingent marched out, and, after giving vent to their grief in tVroeious dancing and loud lamentations, escorted tho sad procession to the marae enclosure, where a raised platform had been constructed for Hie reception of the coffin. At this point women, of the different tribes, dressed in Odack and decorated with leaves, rent the air with heart-rending ivailsj and then tribe after tribe knelt and paid their respects to the departed chief. The ceremony was of a most impressive and affecting nature. No definite i arrangements have yet been made regarding the date of burial, but the final rites will probably take, place on Sunday.