NORTHERN MAORIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 288, 5 December 1929, Page 9

NORTHERN MAORIS.

HISTORY BEING COMPILED. NEW WELFARE LEAGUE. LABOUR MINISTER'S ADVICES. Native history of North Auckland has been very scant, but it is interesting to learn that the Maori people are taking steps to rectify that. At the present time the Ngapuhi people are engaged collecting data of their history and traditions. They are organised under the emblematic title, "To Whare-wananga o Ngapuhi" (the house of sacred knowledge of Ngapuhi), the leaders in the movement being Hoori Whiu, of Mataua (Kaikohe), Renata Kauere, of Otaua (Hokianga), and Ripi Wi Hongi (Kaikohe), the last-mentioned being a descendant of Hongi Hika. Periodical meetings of the people are being held at different places, as arranged from headquarters at Kaikohe, for the purpose of compiling the records. In response to a request the Akarana Maori Association is supplying the compilers with a special copy of Taonui's manuscript (written in 1840) to assist in making an official written historic record of the past. Other evidence of the increasing interest being manifested by the. Maoris in their race is the formation at Tβ Kuiti of the Maniopoto Welfare League. The Minister of Labour (Hon. W. A. Veitch) has advised the Akarana Maori Association that the findings of the recent Commission which investigated the conditions under which Maoris were employed by Asiatics, is receiving careful consideration with a view to recommending improvement in the existing state of affairs.