WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 950, 25 July 1878, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Poor Andrew Barton is dead j We liHve lost one of the best natives that ever lived. From his boyhood up to the time of his death Andrew Barton has been an example to the "atives, aye, and too Europeans too. .b'or many years he had a most difficult position; although nominally not the chief, he was really the business manager for all the Karakariki and a great many of the Raglan natives. The reverse, indeed, was the case, for wheneverpossible all debts and respmisities were put upon his shoulders. Andrew Barton was a most energetic native. In addition to his appointment under Government as agent and assessor, he has for years been the contractor for cirrying the muils ftom Newcastle to Upper Waipa and Raglan. Yet, with all this, he did more hard work at

Karakariki, ploughing the land for wheat, harvesting the crops, &c, than any other native, and Andrew Barton was a most honorable man. All his money went to pay debts, and debts very ofteu not of his own but incurred by some of the tribe ; he was always held responsible, and he never repudiated; even the day before he died he paid a bill which had become due, and the wages of a European who was working for him. Politically, Andrew Barton and his family have been our staunch alliej since the commencement of the I native war, and it would be only a I graceful act on the part of the Government to grant a years' salary to the family of deceased. Everywhere sincere regret is expressed for his early death.-—Own OomissroNDß^T,