CHAPTER XXXII. DEATH OF CAPTAIN GILBERT MAIR.
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CHAPTER XXXII.
DEATH OF CAPTAIN GILBERT MAIR.
BURIED AS AN ARAWA CHIEF.
IMPRESSIVE MAORI CEREMONIES.
Captain Gilbert Mair died at Tauranga on the 29th of November, 1923, aged eighty years. He was born at the Bay of Islands in 1843. The funeral ceremonies were conducted in accordance with a wish expressed in a letter addressed to the Arawa tribe, which stated:--
"A word in conclusion for you, my elders, to consider or otherwise. The desire is for my remains to rest in the family vault at Whangarei, but because of my love for friends and chiefs of Te Arawa, Maketu to Taupo, the heart requests that I should lie in some portion of Arawa lands, so that your elder can hear the eight breaths of Te Arawa in action upon its canoe. Your son, however, has settled that I lie at Te Papa i Ouru, which is a matter of rejoicing to me. You honoured me when living, and in death you honour my body by burying me in the boundary of the canoe which I loved dearly."
As soon as Captain Mair had passed away, Mr. Colin Norris, an old friend at Tauranga, communicated with the Arawas, who said that they had decided to receive the body at Maketu, as that was where their canoe landed. The handing over ceremonies took the form of a welcome to a distinguished man regarded as a living visitor. Soldiers who fought with him delivered orations of welcome and appreciation of his coming to the place where the first canoe landed from Hawaiki, where the Arawas multiplied, progressed and produced great chiefs. His friends, many of whom had passed away, had they been alive, the ground would tremble beneath the thunder of their feet. They asked him to spend the night before he passed inland to rest for ever on the great Arawa canoe. Orations continued all day and evening. The body was then taken inside the meeting house, where further tributes were paid all night. The cortege moved on next morning. There were no farewell messages, for it was realised the deceased was going but a little way. Approaching Taheke, the cortege was met by six armed warriors,
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who refused to allow a passage until that marae was entered, and the mourning continued there for an hour.
The body reached Ohinemutu on Saturday evening. Arawas had assembled from far and wide, and a large number of townspeople and visitors had assembled. At the entrance to the pa the cortege was met by several great chiefs, who filled the air with lamentations. Inside were gathered hundreds of Arawas, the women bedecked in greenery (a symbol of grief). The assembled warriors, realising that deceased had reached his last resting place, called upon him and the spirits of the departed accompanying him, welcoming all to the marae to the scene of their activities in life.
The coffin was placed in front of Tama-te-Kapua, the Maori carved house, and surrounded by numerous wreaths, which came from all over the North Island. Mourning continued for some hours. The casket was then taken inside the meeting-house, and surrounded with mats and other examples of Maori art, while the sword of Major Fox, an old associate of Captain M. air, was laid on top. Orations and manifestations of grief continued till daylight.
On Sunday morning further tributes were paid to the departed chief. A memorial service was held in St. Faith's Church, the sermon being preached by the Rev. Spencer. An address was delivered at Tama-te-Kapua by Mr. F. Earl, K.C., who described Captain Mair as the most lovable and generous man he had ever known. The success of the recent lakes case on liberal terms was due to his moulding of public opinion. He died poor in money, but rich in esteem and love.
The arrangements for the funeral were carried out under the supervision of Mr. Tai Mitchell, and Major Sumner was in charge of the military guard of honour, consisting of local territorials, cadets, and scouts.
The interment took place in the afternoon, in the presence of a large concourse of mourners and friends.
Deceased held a unique position, being the only pakeha admitted to full rights of Arawa chieftainship, and, in addition to being accorded a military funeral, received the honours due to a great chief.
FAREWELL MESSAGE.
Captain Gilbert Mair's farewell message to the Arawa tribe, written a short time before his death, contains many eloquent passages. After alluding to eminent friends of the Maoris who had gone before, the message says:--
"The time and opportunity is yours; the leadership falls
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on your shoulders. I adjure you, and keep it as the Ohaki of me, your elder, to walk in the footsteps and keep the counsels of your fathers. Walk warily, and depart not therefrom, for the whole Dominion is closely watching you and your doings. Be strong. Jealously guard the good name of Te Arawa, and besmirch it not.
"Farewell, Matawhaura! Te Tahuna! It pleases me that your majesty, grandeur and natural beauty are preserved for all times to the glory of Te Arawa and succeeding generations.
"A moment but remains, and the heart will cease beating; my people, farewell! Your fathers blazed the track; you walk well and truly therein.
"Oh, my people! While life yet remains, let me for one brief moment conjure up the past, which seems so filled with your many kindnesses that I wish health and long life.
"My children, be men; be strong, and move with a peaceful heart--my days and those of your fathers were days of strife, when human blood was shed--yours are days of peace, when mutual and wise counsels, love for one another and the race prevail. Be therefore brave in the day of peace, and may the Almighty in His Providence bless and sustain you.
"Record faithfully, my dear son, these few words, and deliver to my foremost people. If the opportunity to meet them in assembly had presented itself, my heart would have rejoiced--but you see me now full of years--aged. Sub-tribes and component divisions of Te Arawa, ally yourselves into one powerful whole.
"Farewell, my people! We shall meet again in the other world. May God have mercy on the canoe for all time. A word to staunch comrades who shouldered arms in upholding the Treaty of Waitangi, and whose services are acknowledged by the Queen's medal.
"Greetings to you! Thoughts revert to those stormy and troublesome days we passed through, and the heart, rejoices that what you fought for then is being upheld now. Peace reigns over the island and its life. You and they who have passed away have made New Zealand a home where the greatest nation, the English, live side by side with the smallest race, the Maori, under one law and loving one another.
"Greetings to you, the courageous. This soldier is going to those soldiers who have departed to tell them all is well behind. Farewell, survivors of the Great War. God bless you all. Greetings to you.--From your loving elder, Captain Mair."
Brett Printing Co., Ltd., Auckland, N. Z., 52293
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