The Newtown bee., 1903-12-11
LITCHFlELD COUNTY.
WASHINGTON.

LIAM CoAD OF THAMES, NEW zEA
 LAND.
 The following interesting letter iron
 William Coad of Thames, New Zea
 land:
 A Maori chief named Nlkorima(tht
 Maori name for Nicodemusl Pontotars
 died here few weeks ago, and accord
 ing to the usual custom his relatives
 held great tangi, ,("cry') over him
 which was attended by large number
 of natives from all the surrounding
 districts. These tangis, however, al
 though they are really meant to be z
 gathering for the purpose of mourning
 over and talking of the good qualities
 of the deceased, generally resolve them.
 selves into one long and continuous
 feast, the length of which depends on
 how long the supplies of food will last.
 On this occasion it lasted about a
 week, but the crying was not up too
 much, as the natives are gradually be- coming Europeanized in their habits. The funeral took place on a Sunday afternoon, and from the manner in
 which it was conducted, any stranger who might have been present, would not have known, unless he was told, but what it was European who was being buried. I suppose there were quite a thousand people present, in- cluding Maoris and whites. The procession was an unusually long one and comprised the hearse carrying the coffin, anda a great number of vehicles, as we'll as large number of people on foot. The deceased was buried in one of the Maori cemeteries, alongside his father. an old Maori chief, who in bis day had been strongly opposed to by the white people. En route to the cemetery, a stoppage was made at the Maori church, where short service was held, and then there was another service at the grave, the officiating clergyman being Maori. At the graveside, choir of Maori men and women sang the hymn, "For ever with the Lord," in the Maori language, very nicely. My daughter Muriel and my self were present and watched the proceedings with interest, and while there l had quite long chat with an old Maori regarding the deceased Nix orima, who was very nice man, and one whom both the Maoris and white people all greatly respected. Nikori- mas first wife, who is still alive, was hn nf on1n nfoI Mno mi; chief, who died or was killed when she was quite young. She was taken in hand by an English lady, the wife of the late Judge Martin, who gave her several languages, music and singing. WhenCshe became of age she married Nikorima in accordance with English laws and for some time they lived very happily together, but no children were born to them. At that time Mrs Nix orima mixed good deal in society, for she could talk English as nicely and as one could wish, and as she was we'll verSed in all matters both politically and socially, and could sing and play the piano as we'll as any Eng fish lady, her company was always ac- ceptable. In course of time, however, her social status fell away, for the of society proved too much for her, and she also gave way to strong drink occasionally. The re- suit was that she eventually left her husband, and after several attempts on his part to reclaim her, he gave her up altogether, and was married ac- cording to Maori custom to another native woman. The first Mrs Niko- rima, who acts the part of Maori in- terpreter to anyone who wishes to en- ploy her, came down to Thames and paid Nikorima visit shortly before he died, and was one of the spectators at the funeral, but the other Maoris would not allow her to take part in the | proceedings. I have had several chats with her at different times, for she can talk like a book and is very enter taining in her accounts about the his tory of the Maori people. She has been handsome woman in her time and still looks very well, although showing her age somewhat, and she can smoke pipe of tobacco with the best smoker going.
 A few days ago visited the site of an old Maori pah( just short dis tance out of town. A great fight took place there little over 80 years ago batwaap the Thames MaOriS and an- other tribe, when several hundred of the Thames tribe were killed, cooked and eaten by their opponents. l have been fortunate enough to secure good many details regarding that fight, and I propose later on writing you the par ticulars, for 1 think they will interest you.
 SHEET KILLED BY DOGS.