ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XL, Issue 914, 26 January 1878, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

TAKEREI TE RAU. January 22, 1878. A continual stream of natives are and have been passing through the township for the last throe days to attend the tangi and funeral of the < late Waikato chief— Tawhia Te Rauangaanga, better known to Europeans by the name of Takerei Te Rau. This chieftan was one of the last and the principal of the old Maori aristocracy, he being, superior in rank to the present Maori King, and belonging to the same tribe or hapu of Ngatimahuta. A* the commencement of the > King movement, Takerei's name was one of -the first propose- for election, but he declined in favor of Te Whero Whero, who was appointed by the name of Potatau 1., Takerei being chief councillor until the death of the Maori potentate. He has since continued to be the principal adviser of his son, Tawhiao — the present Maori King, — who succeeded Potatau. Until his death on Saturday last, Takerei has suffered, more or less, for some years from a pulmonary complaint, and, at the suggestion, of the late Sir Donald McLean, on his last visit here, was attended by Dr. Waddington, and was considerably benefitted by his treatment. The last attack he had some- five, months, amcetrrhaving nothing but native remedies at hand — has proved fatal. The old man retained his senses to the last. Takerei, although known as the chief highest in rank, was not a warrior, in the Maori meaning of the term, but was always the .mediator amongst the tribes, and his loss will be greatly felt by them, as he alone could restrain the feelings of the most excitable and passionate in cases of dispute, quarrels, or any other emergency. Takerei was one of the defenders of the Rangiriri , pah (in the late Waikato war), and was one of those who remained to defend it. to enable the King to escape. His daughter — Te Paea Te Rau,— while covering the King s retreat with her own person, wbb shot by our troops, but was taken by her own people to the Rev. Wm. Barton's settlement, at Karakariki, where she died from her wound about a month or so afterwards. His son, Amuketi, was also killed in the attack on the pah. Takerei died at a small settlement between Kopua and Hikurangi, while they were conveying him to the latter place. His body has sinue been taken there, and where the tangi is now going on. Many hundreds, from all directions, are present, and as many more are expected to arrive. Takerei leaves no children, but one granddaughter—the child of his son, shot at Rangiriri. Takerei was apparently about 75 years of age, and until his illness was wiry and active. Tawhiao feels his loss moat, keenly, as he one of the- best and most moderate of his adviww.-*Owu