ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1350, 24 February 1881, Page 3

ALEXANDRA.

I HxVlf once more to chronicle the death of another well-known native chief, viz., Wlremu Toetoe^ of the- Ngatiapakura. Wflllara, jri ojd times before the war, was a well-known and well-respected native in affluent cirounistaneeij, residing »t Rangiaohia. For some year/j ho was the mail conficactoj . between Auckland and To Avamutu. When the Austrian scientific expedition visited New Zealand, Toetoe was wiWDrVlfoen'stetter in Ilia explorationsjn, the Waikato, and so htrong an nftamrietit '^phing Up between them that Toetoe, with another native named Honiara Te Rerehau, accompanied the expedition home in their vessel— :he Novara (if I recollect rightly). Toetoe and Hemara were #ell receired on the continent, and had the honour of an introduction to several of the crowned heads of Europe. Fiom thence they paid * visit to England, where he had the further honour . of un interview with the Queen and Royal Family and the Duke of Cambridge, who presented him with their portraits. Toetoo received many valuable prenenta on his tour, and when they returned to Auckland was without doubt tho most polished native in the country. They had a amattering of French and Gorman, and aped the manners (the former especially) and for a time were quite the lions of Auckland. When the war broke out in Waikato, Toetoe was sent up by the Governmout, a» it wan hoped, to be a valuable agent in explaining to the natives the folly of entering upon a war with the English, whose strength, as a nation, he was so well qualified to explain to them. Toetoe started on his mission, hopeful, I believe, of opening the eyes of his countrymen to their folly, as he told me when I met him at Newmarket on his way up to Waikato. The result of his visit however, is now well known, lie threw in his lot with his people, and lost tho bulk of bin property. Toetoe ha« for some time past been down Waikato, gum-siiggiDg and fl<ix-cutting. He was brought up here a few days ago, unwell, and died at Kaipiha yesterday on his way to Hikurangi. The deceasod was brother-in-law to tho late Mr John Cowle, Mrs Oowle being Toetoes sister. A few minutes before his death he regretted he had not seen them, Hi* decease was not expected br the natives so suddenly, as he was walking about tb.3 previous night. Yesterday aud to-day a great tangi is being held over his remains.