Death of Tarapipipi.

Thames Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2830, 11 March 1878, Page 2

Death of Tarapipipi.

Another of the old school of Native Chiefs has been removed by death to the happy hunting grounds of his fathers; another obstructive to progress has joined the majority: Tarapipipi is dead. This event, which was not unexpected, occurred at half-past seven o'clock on Saturday •vening, at the settlement of the deceased chieftain, some miles inland from the Piako Biver. Tarapipipi has been very ill for some time past, and when European

skill ordered by the Government was proffered, it was rejected in favor of some charms from the so-called Maori Sling and his priests. The fatalism of the past generation has no doubt hastened the death of tho famous chief. Tarapipipi was. a man in every sense. He had a splendid physique, standing over six feet, and from his stature was a very Saul amongst his brethren. He was about 50 years of aj-.e. We have not been able to obtain any particulars of the deceased further than what are known to most readers. Some of the deceased chief's people brought tue information ot his death into town, and were entrusted with the authority to procure a casket in which to place his remains. The tangi over Tarapipipi will be a very extensive one, he being unequalled in rank and prestige amongst the Maoraki braves, and it is probable that tho representatives of the most influential tribes of Waikato and the East Coast will be present to do the last sad honors to the deceased, according to Native custom. As Tarapimpi belong.- i to the reformed Maori religion it is probable that his remains will receive sepulture according to its rites, in some spot in the interior which has not ben desecrated by the obtrusive footmarks of the pakeha.