NOT AT HAND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 205, 30 August 1935, Page 3

NOT AT HAND.

READY-MADE SOLUTION. ORAKEI MAORI VILLAGE. "Following the appointment of the special sub-committee to consider matters connected with the Orakei Maori village settlement, I have been giving close study to the various aspects of the question, with the object of accelerating filial determination of an issue which, clearly, requires our most serious consideration," stated the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, in a report to the City Council last evening. "The deeper I have delved into the problem the more convinced am I that a ready-made solution is not at hand." His Worship said there were so many factors to be taken into account that a balanced rather than a hasty judgment was called for in the interests of the city and of the native inhabitants of Orakei. A recent conversation he had with the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata, the acknowledged leader of the Maori lace, fortified him in this belief. Most of the ground work he wished to cover before calling the sub-committee together had been traversed, and he proposed to convene the meeting for Tuesday, September 10, when he would present a report, and upon it he trusted the committee would be able to act. An invitation to attend tlii-s meeting would be extended to the Chamber of Commerce committee which had been interesting itself in the subject, and to representatives of the Lands Department. In addition, Sir Apirana Ngata had promised to attend and give the committee the benefit of his opinion from the native standpoint. The committee would have also the advice of its co-opted member, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, who during his mayoral term was closely identified with the question. "I would point out that no cognisance can be taken of the anonymous letters on this subject which have appeared in the Press recently, but I would suggest that those who have views on the matter might care to forward them in writing to the Town Hall. Any such representations will be assured of the fullest consideration from the subcommittee," added the Mayor. The report was received, and it was decided to adopt the Mayor's suggestion.