FUND FOR MAORI BABY

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21729, 11 March 1936, Page 5

FUND FOR MAORI BABY

MONEY SAID TO HAVE BEEN INVESTED

FRUITLESS ENQUIRIES MADE IN CHRISTCHURCH Enquiries made in Christchurch yesterday failed to discover any traces of a fund said to have been subscribed by the citizens of Christchurch in 1906-07 as a -benefit for a baby Maori girl, who was born in the Maori encampment at the International Exhifition held in Christchurch in 1906-07. The money, it is said, was to have been invested, and paid to the. girl when she reached the age of 21 years. The person on whose behalf .the enquiries are being made is Mrs Mapu Morehu, who was christened Araiteuru Raupawhenua, and she lives at Lake Roto-iti. Interest in the fund was aroused in Christchurch by a letter which Sir Alexander Herdman wrote to Mr E. Rountree, of Marshland. Sir Alexander's letter read: — "Some Maoris who are my neighbours on Lake Roto-iti have asked me to write to you in reference to the following matter: It would seem that when the Christchurch Exhibition was being! held some 25 years ago, or more, one of the Maori women, by name Araiteuru Raupawhenua, now the wife of Mapu Morehu, was born within the boundaries of the exhibition and that a fund was raised for her benefit. I am informed that the money was to be invested and paid to her when she attained the age of 21 years. "The Maoris have learned in some | way that you know something of this matter and that you can supply information which would enable Mrs Morehu to establish her claim. May I ask you to be so good as to let me know, if you can, (1) whether a sum was subscribed for the benefit of this girl? (2) If so, where was it deposited and in whose name? (3) What sum, if any, is Mrs Morehu entitled to? (4) What steps should she take to establish her claim? "You will understand that I am desirous of assisting these Maoris. They have been my neighbours for many years, and they are in the habit of seeking my help when they are in difficulties. If you are in a position to throw any light on this matter I shall be grateful for any assistance you can give." Mr Rountree has always taken a keen interest in Maori affairs, but he knows nothing of the fund and has handed the letter to Mr H. S. Feast, of the Christchurch City Council staff, who is making the enquiries.