RE-NAMING strand

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 38, 19 July 1939, Page 5

RE-NAMING strand

: JVIATATUA STREET SUGGESTED WAIRAKA FOR HEADS PARK Suggestions that, in order to entourage Maori interest in the celebration of the centennial in Whakatane the name of The Strand be changed to Matatua Street, that the park at The Heads be called WaLaka and that the present Matatua Street be called Toka.atai, after tne anchor stone of the Matatua canoe } were made by Mr A. O. Siewart, ..i Maori representative on the Whaka. tane centennial committee,, when it met in the Borough Chambers on Monday night. There was general sup port for Mr Stewart's suggestions, and a motion was passed on these r lines. Those present were the Mayor, Mr B. S. Messrs G. A. Brabant, L. Rangi, A.' O. Stewart, B. Sladden. C. C. Southey, J. Conolly and D. "V. Saunders. Apologies for absence ■were received from Messrs Tui Tawera and C. A. Suckling. LOCAL BODY ATTITUDE. ~Mr Barry opened the discussion by stating that the borough and the county were committed to considerable expenditure in the formation of the park at The Heads, and that .they regretted that it would not bo possible to expend more of the ratepavers' money on celebrations. The local bodies would give all other assistance possible. The poor atten 1 - --ance at the meeting that night did not seem to augur well for the success of any elaborate celebrations. He thought it would be best to concentrate on, the opening of the park. ]\lr Saunders said that Mr Tawera Tiad emphasised the willingness of the 3laoris to organise a concert party to "raise funds. The Maori council would neet in Whakatane on August 28 and could discuss any suggestions put forward by the present committee. He had thought of resigning wheji he heard of the attitude of the local bodies, said Mr Southey. He regret"ted that he had gone to Ruatoki and •assured the natives that their efforts would be supported. There did not : seem to be any interest in historical matters. Other districts were compiling histories, said Mr Sladden. Even if that • could not be done, something by way •of articles in the newspaper would i>e useful. DATE FOR CELEBRATION. Mr Barry asked for a suitable date for the opening of the park, and ideas for the celebrations. Mr Saunders thought it might be possible to arrange a suitable programme for the opening of the park. He suggested that the park could be opened in the morning with speeches from the mayor, the county chairman and other gentlemen. There could be native speakers and a function arranged by the natives. Mr Stewart was sure the natives would co-operate. It might be as ■ well to fix a date late in, the year so "that functions if other centres would make people centenary-minded. A suggestion that the natives gather at the Domain and march to The Heads was made by Mr Brabant. This would be interesting and colour, ful episode in the day's events. Hakas could be performed and feasts arranged. GOVERNMENT GRANT? The money problem was difficult, Said Mr Brabant but subscription lists could be opened and the Government might be approached. - Mr Barry doubted whether a grant could be obtained. In his opinion thi. park should be opened as soon as possible after its completion. The school holidays would prevent any participation by the children if the opening was held in January, said Mr Southey. The rowing club was arranging a monster regatta, said Mr Stewart. He did not know if they were doing this to raise funds for their own use. A number of craft on the river would be an excellent thing. He suggested prizes for hakas. Mr Southey thought .February would be a suitable month. LINKING UP THE MAORIS. In order to interest the Maori people it would be necessary to link them up with the park, said Mr ■ Stewart., and this could be done if Maori historical names Avere incorporated. The biggest name in the district from a Maori point of view was Matatua ( the name of the canoe which came from Hawaiki about 1350. Whakatanc's main street was named The Strand. This-was of little "Importance, and he thought that it .. -could be changed to Matatua.

Wairaka was the second most important name to the Maori. It we.s Wairaka who used the words which gave Whakatane its name on the very spot on which the park would stand,! the incident occurring on the beach ! below the harbourmaster's house. The name Muriwai was already applied to the road to The Heads, and the Pa was called the Whare o Toi'oa, after the captain of the Matatua. Then out from the wharf lay the Toka-atai the rock which was said to be the anchor stone of Matatua. This could be applied to the present Matatua street which runs from Tcroa Street to the Wharf. HONOURED NAMES. All these honoured names among the Maor's; could thus be linked up. The Strand would be Matatua Street and it would run to Muriwai Road which would lead to Wairaka Park. If these things were done the Maoris would take it as a great honour and he was sure they would work for the ■sueccss of the celebration. Mr Barry said that the borough council's idea had been, to give the park a Maori name. They had asked for suggestions. Mr Southey supported Mr Stewart. No place in New Zealand had Whakatanc's historical associations. The Strand was now an idiotic name, and there was no reason why it should not be changed. It would only involve 1 the changing of a few letterheads. Mr Brabant agreed that Mr Stew, art's suggestion was an excellent one. The name of The Strand could well be changed. Mr Sladden said the Bay of Plenty Historical Research Society approved Mr Stewart's suggestion, and a deputation had been appointed to wait on the borough council. The names; of streets were frequently revised in large centres. FEBRUARY 28. On Mr Barry's .suggestion it was decided that February 28 be tentatively fixed as a suitable date for the opening of the park, and that a oneday celebration be held on the lines suggested. Messrs Stewart_ Southey and Saunders were appointed a subcommittee to consider a programme z Any suggestions from the public would be welcome. The co-operation of sports bodies would be nought. It was decided to write to the Minister of Internal Affairs requesting a grant of up to £200 to meet expenses and that a canvass be made for subscriptions and lists opened locally. The committee decided to support the suggestion of re-naming The Strand and applying the name Wairaka to the park. Mr Southey thought the. name Toka atai was rather lengthy and perhaps not the most suitable one that could be found. ** ! Tof's claims were raised by Mr Sladden. Toi, he thought, should have a "look in." However Toi might be honoured ''upstairs" on Hillcrest. Mr Stewart said that the word "Punga" meaning anchor stone would be a suitable alternative. It was decided to consider this point later. APOLOGIES TO MAORIS. Mr Sladden .suggested that the Maori council be advised that it was not possible to organise elaborate functions as bad been planned earlier. He emphasised that it would be most unfortunate if the impression werd given to the Maoris that they had br-en let down and he moved that a letter be sent thanking them for earlier assistance, explaining the position, and hoping for their co-opera-tion. It was decided to do this.