DEATH OF “KING” TAWHIAO.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2705, 30 August 1894, Page 2

DEATH OF “KING” TAWHIAO.

Auckland, Aug. 27. King Tawhiao, the Maori monarch, yesterday at Parawera. A large tangi will be held. Complications are likely to arise among the Natives as to the successor of the kingship. Since Tawhiao’s return from England in 1884 he had lived at Whatiwhatihoe and Pnkekawa (near Mercer), and had some, time ago established a new settlement at Parawera, just beyond the scene of the historic fight at Orakau, thirty years ago. It was at Parawera that he died, and there the inevitable great tangi over his remains will be held. Ta Tawhiao, the deceased, pseudo-king’s eldest sou, a young n»*n of good parts, died some years ago. Tawhiao was a victim of influenza. He leaves some children, besides several widows, for Tawhiao was not a monogamist. Tawhiao’s position and tribal connections rendered him probably the moat illustrious Native chief in New Zealand, His full name was Matutara Te Poke Puke Te Pane Tu Karato Te a Potatau Te Whereowhero (Potatau). Tawhiao could trace his descent for twenty generations back to the pioneer chief Hotuni, who came across to New in the historic canoe Tainui from the legendary fatherland Hawae Do, and landed at Kawhia. The duel belonged to the tribe of Ngatimahuta, and was allied to most of the other Waikato tribes. Tawhiao was born about the year 1826, so that he would be about ' 69 years of age at time of his death. His father was the great Waikato Te Wherowhero, who was a «»lebrated cannibal warrior of the days anterior to ' European settlement in New t Tawhiao was baptised by the name of Methuaaleh at Mangere by the Bev. W. Burrows, who is still alive and living in Parnell Tawhiao remembered a European (theVen. Archdeacon Mr.unaall) coming to ask his father, Te Wherowhero, to sign the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840. This was at Mangere on the Menuhin. Further particulars show that King ; Tawhiao’s death was quite nnwpMhj. for he was in Kihikihi township last weeL, in seemingly good health and spirits, but on Friday he took suddenly bad with something of the nature of influenza. On Saturday, being depressed and cold, he requested to be carried outside his where . and laid in the sun. He never rallied afterwards, but sank rapidly. He leavea ho son to succeed him.

Referring to Tawhiao’a death, the Auckland Star says .—Tawhiao never distinguished himself in war. It ia narrated of him that he fired one shot at , Bangiriri, but was told that a king must not participate in fighting, but must act as ruler and counsellor, fie had not the ability of his father, and his influence was greatly weakened latterly by habita of intemperance. Nevertheless, in the yean that followed the war, he displayed great magnanimity and unselfishness, refusing one bribe after another that was offered by successive Native Ministen to induce him to yield submission to European authority. Time, with the growing European population, worked against the cause of the Maori, and in favour of the settler. The offers steadily diminished in magnitude from the position of hereditary prince, at one time seriously contemplated by Sir Donald McLean, to the pension of £2OO a year, accepted from Mr Cadman, and afterwards given up at the request of his people. With Tawhiao the king movement will ho doubt come to an end. The principal tribes have long since shaken themselves free from their allegiance, and the Tawhiao mana has of late years been limited to his own tribe and a few hapus belonging to tribes who were prominent in the war, and with whom the tradition of the King movement remains in a modified form. It is not at all likely that any attempt will be to set up a successor, but if there should be no one can revive with any potency the power which rested on a basin that has crumbled away. Sir George Grey has been spared to see his prophecy realised. The Maori King has been dug around until his throne and authority have fallen of their own accord.