MODEL VILLAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 215, 11 September 1929, Page 12

MODEL VILLAGE.

TYPICAL OF MAORI LIFE. CHEAP HOMES FOR NATIVES. NO NEED FOR BATHS. (By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. Some details of the scheme for the creation of a model Maori village at Whakarewarewa were given in the House of Representatives by the Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apir&aa Ngata. It was pointed out by the Leader of the Opposition, that Whakarewarewa in its present state was not calculated to impress either New Zealanders or tourists as a fair sample of native life. The small sum on the Estimates was not enough to make the necessary improvements. Mr. Coates said the natives had met the Government in a very conciliatory spirit, but the question of asking peopio to change their abode was always a ''sticky" subject. Sir Apirana agreed that a start should be made in earnest on the work of improving Whakarewarewa. It wae for Parliament to decide whether the State should make a direct grant. A sum of £:200 was placed on the Estimates last year for the purpose of providing access to the area. Mr. Fraser (Wellington Central): It was the feeling of the House that Parliament should make a contribution. Sir Apirana said that if Parliament decided to do that the natives would no doubt take a fair share of the burden, as the whole thing came down to the matter of housing. Plans had been prepared for a modern house which would cost £8.10, but that was too much, and further plans had been prepared for a house to cost £360. That was also too high. It was now for J Polynesian to devise a suitable and cheaper dwelling which could be constructed from materials ready to hand. It should not bo necessary for such materials as corrugated iron to be used. The interiors corM be lined and papered with illustrated papers. If the houses were built at a cost of £250 to £300 the natives could .contribute about a third of the cost. The partitions would not be considered important at this stage of Maori development and culture. It might be sufficient if a start were made by partitioning off the kitchen and bathroom. Old Maori houses had no partitions. Plans for £Siio houses provided four rooms with the latest in porcelain baths. That was not necessary, as the Maoris had to walk only a hundred yarde to get to the hot springs. (Laughter.)