Uru Te Angina - Sam Woon

Wanganui Chronicle 10 July 1925

Sad Accident

Death of Mr Sam Woon

The European and native population of Wanganui received a shock yesterday when it became known that Mr Uru Te Angina, better known as Sam Woon of Whangaehu, met his death at midday under tragic yet simple circumstances. Mr Woon who was on a business visit to the city, had just completed certain negotiations after which he went to the Town wharf to purchase some fish from a fishing boat. While viewing the fish on the boat, which was well below the level of the wharf, he lost his balance and fell into the river. Immediately Mr J.O.Keefe, of Jackson Street, Gonville, dived into the river and succeeded in bringing the struggling man ashore. Dr.Adams was sent for, but Mr Woon expired, apparently from shock. When brought ashore Mr Woon was found to be bleeding somewhat profusely, indicating that in his fall he had struck something. The body was conveyed to the morgue.

The late Mr Woon who was 62 years of age, leaves a family of sons and daughters, one of the latter being Mrs Toko Ratana. He had been a life long resident of the Whangaehu Valley where he was the owner of some of the finest country on the west coast. He was probably one of the best-known natives on the coast-his genial spirit and good nature making him beloved by both Maori and Pakeha alike.Throughout his life he displayed an enthusiastic interest in every aspect of sport, and was, in this latter connection, a life member of the Wanganui Jockey Club and also the Cosmopolitan Club. For many years he was actively engaged in farming, principally in the Whangaehu Valley. He recently made a trip to the Old Country and the East with the Ratana Party, and was contemplating a trip to the United States when death intercepted his purpose. As a matter of fact Mr Woon had intended to leave the Dominion next week for the Pacific Coast. Uru Te Angina was respected in every circle he moved in as a man of the strictest integrity. No deserving cause, no matter what its limitations or magnitude went by without a practical expression of his appreciation. A friend of the deceased gentleman, speaking to a reporter yesterday, observed that the untimely demise of Mr Woon was a matter of deep regret to every member of the pakeha ans Maori races round about Wanganui proper and district. Woon will never be forgotten by his own race or those in ours who new him. All I can say it that one of Gods gentlemen has left us.

The funeral will take place early next week. An inquest will be held probably on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Koro Sam was born Hamiora Tukotahi Uru Te Angina Wunu in 1863 to Hamiora Te Wunu (Te Hunga O Te Rangi) and Makere. Te Hunga O Te Rangi's father Te Wunu Rangiwerohia (Te Ahuru o te Rangi) was given by his father Maiawhea to Maiawhea's first cousin, Aperahama Tipae who had no offspring of his own. Koro Sam was to become the beneficiary of Tipae's taonga including Tipae's taiaha and a mere pounamu taken by Ngati Apa at the fall of the pa Tuke-a-maui on the Whanganui River besieged in revenge for the attack and capture by Whanganui of the pa O-haka-to near Whangaehu beach. Through his mother Makere, Uru Te Angina was closely related to Ngati Poutama of the Whanganui River and to Ngati Tuwharetoa.

Because of the length and difficulty in pronouncing his name by his pakeha friends it was shortened to Sam Woon, a name that was to stick and become well known in the district. In 1865 Aperahama Tipae asked Richard Pestell, a miller from Bristol, England and then operating the Kawana Flour Mill at Matahiwi, to build him a flour mill on the Makiriri stream. Pestell, married to Panitua Te Ma of Karatia, moved his family of six children to Turakina. Sam Woon was eventually to marry their third daughter Te Po Moetu (Elizabeth Pestell) and then Hoki Waewae Kiriona, a daughter of Te Po's eldest sister Mere Te Ma Kiriona (Mary-Anne Pestell).

With Te Po , Sam was to have six children including twins who died at a young age. His first family went by the name of Uru Te Angina, his eldest daughter Ripeka marrying Rangipouri Marumaru and then Tokouru Ratana. The younger daughter Lizzie, Rangipouris' first wife who died during childbirth left no issue so the current descendants of Sam and Te Po are the Mohi and Rangimatapu Woon and Daisy Karipa (Ripeka's daughter) whanau.

With Hoki, Sam was to have a further five chidren, a son, four daughters and an adopted daughter, Makere Te Hunga(our Haitana whanau). This family used the surname Uru and current descendents of Sam and Hoki are the Mihiterina(Lena) Larkin Te Awe Awe, Mere Panitua Thompson, Patu Woon, Tangiwai Bishop and Te Aroha Wilson whanau.

This family photo of Sam Woon and his first wife Te Po seated nursing Hoki's daughter Lena. Behind them is second wife Hoki beside Sam and Te Po's eldest son Mohi. Their daughter Ripeka is in the front with son Rangimatapu between them and their youngest daughter Lizzie on the right.

Reference: Te Tapikitanga O Apa, Poutu Te Rangi - 2008 Issue No.13