A TOUCHING MESSAGE

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 4655, 22 February 1894, Page 3

A TOUCHING MESSAGE

Sir George Greii and the Chief Rewi. (By Telegraph.—Press Association). Auckland (February 21. A touching messaeo which recalls tho old diiys of the Waikato war, when Rewi Maniupoto the famous fighting chief of the Ngatimaniapoto trine, was arrayed in battle against the British troops, was received yesterday hy Sir George Greyfromßewi. The old ohiof» at present lying very ill at his bomo on tho bunks of the Punui river, near Kihikihi, in the ffaikiito, and it is believed his death is not fur off, Last night a Maori messenger iirri wit at Sir George Grey's residence in Pitrnoll, from Kihikihi, with a letter from R--wi, In this letter Rewi stated that he was the end of hia life, wd expressed a wish that he nnd Sir Geo, 3rey should b'j buried in tho Eamo grave, The translation is;—" To Sir Geo. Grey.—Salutations! We h»ve now reached to tho days of our forefathers. This is a word to' lf-t you known that you and I reached old age together, and have lived 10 these days. Thie is my great word to you; Let us remain under Obo stone"

Sir Geo. Groy was much touohed by the message. He at first thought of writing to Rewi, but this morning ha packed up and left Auckland by train for Waikato, iu order to visit the chief at Kihikihi. Rewi is about 70 years of age,