MODEL VILLAGE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 224, 21 September 1935, Page 11

MODEL VILLAGE.

ADVERSE OPINIONS.

ORAKEI MAORI SETTLEMENT.

NO riNAXiITY YET REACHED

Comprehensive reports dealing with the proposal to establish a model native village at Orakei were submitted to a conference yesterday afternoon between the special sub-committee of the library committee of the Auckland City Council which was set up to go into the question and other interested parties. The reports in the main were adverse to the scheme, and, at the suggestion of the Mayor, Mr. Ernest Davis, it was decided to adjourn consideration of the matter for three weeks to enable full perusal of the reports and the advancement of alternative schemes. In the meantime, arrangements are to be made to secure direct representation at the next conference of the owners and occupiers of property at Orakei with a, view to securing- adequate presentation of the Maori viewpoint. " Potential Sourcs of Danger." The question of titles to the land at Orakei concerned iri the proposals was raised during the discussion on the reports, 'but Mr. Davis pointed out that the real issue for the conference to determine was whether or not they were going to have a model village at Orakei. "In view of the respect in which 1 hold the Maoris, and remembering what we owe them for this city, which we purchased for a song, I would like to make myself clear regarding the present occupants of the Orakei settlement," Its said. "I am not taking into account the troubles they are experiencing over their land, which is not, at the moment, my concern, but, providing the village f«n bo cleaned up and made decent, I liavo no objection whatever to (he natives remaining at Orakei. At the same time, the state of affairs as now exists should not continue. It is not becoming to the city aud is a potential source of danger."

Mr. Davis fiaicl that tbo object of the confercnce was to consider from the municipal point of view the future of the Orakei native settlement and to see if finality on the question could not ba reached. At 011 c time he was under the impression that the establishment of the model village was an undertaking which the city might sponsor, but research into all the governing factors had driven him to the conclusion that such a project was not within the bounds of practical politics. A drastic modification of the original scheme was, in his opinon, the only poley tliat could be considered.

A report by the city valuer (Mr. P. F. Notley) gave the population of the Maori village as \'2 r , exclusive of Europeans, and the value of the buildings on the area as £1650, while an adverse report 011 the model pa scheme from a town planning; point of view was presented bv the city engineer (Mr. J. Tyler).

The Health Aspsct. Reference to the poor quality of the dwellings on the settlement and the lack of sanitation was made in the report of the chief sanitary inspector, Mr. H. Paull. The disposal of general refuse, said Mr. Paull, was done by depositing it in pits, which were a feeding and breeding ground for flies. Ho quoted figures showing the incidence of infectious diseases at the Maori settlement, and added that it was obvious that the settlement must be regarded as a potential danger to the health of the city.

In a memorandum forwarded to the Mayor the former Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apirana Ngata, stated that it would be unwise to launch the Orakei natives into a pa scheme without preparation and instruction. He advanced suggestions for a modified scheme encompassing the gradual development of marae improvements and the revivalof knowledge in Maori arts and elements of culture.

Mr. Davis said an important aspect of the question was the fact that, to use the expression of a student of Maori history, "it is not according to the best traditions of the Maori that he should make an exhibition of himself for show purposes at a place like Orakei." From another quarter came the contention that Orakei, owing to its low-lying position, was totally unsuited for the reception of a model pa, and at best it could bo but a caricature of the ancient fortiiieation. He therefore came to the following conclusions: (1) That the establishment of a model settlement would not be in the interests of either the natives or the city; (2) it was better both for the Maori and the pakeha that the Maori should live in the country; (3) it was not' in the interests of the natives that they should become a sort of exhibition for tourists; (4) the model village would soon become a refuge for natives from all parts of New Zealand; (5) as natives wero more susceptible to disease than city dwellers, the settlement would be a source of danger in times of epidemic; and (6) it was only a matter of time when Orakei must become fully settled, and the planting of a model native settlement in the heart of a fully populated European sijburb was open to the gravest objection.

Alternatives Wanted. Having expressed a view adverse to the establishment of the village. Mr. Davis invited the consideration of the conference of alternative schemes. Clearly, lie concluded, the settlement could not, from tho city's point of view, as well as that of the native residents, be allowed to remain in its present dilapidated state. Mr. Hutchison pointed out that the Lands Department had not attempted to obtain possession of tho land occupied by the Maoris, and that suggested that there was something in the Maoris' claim that the title which the Government had acquired was not a particularly good one. Furthermore, assuming it was decided thrt it was in the best interests of all concerned that the natives should leave tho locality then some new place must bo found fof them. Mr. Davis said he agreed that they must see that the right thing was done for the natives. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Mr. D. W. Arm it, said that no action had been taken for possesnon as petitions had been presented for the return of certain lands, and possession would not be enforced until these had been dealt with. Mr. Hutchison said that after the committee had heard the Maoris themselves it should endeavour to expedite the clearing- up of the Orakei settlement or to find somewhere else for the natives to r-o to. It was simply a disgrace to the city t'i have the Maoris as they were at present.