A MODEL PA

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22004, 30 January 1937, Page 18

A MODEL PA

TO TUB EDITOR OB TIIB PRESS. Sir,—The recent statements made by Mr Pollard, director of the South Islands Travel Association, and Mr Pitama with reference to the creation of a model pa which could be erected at Tuahiwi or some spitable spot in or near the Botanic Gardens should have the moral support not only of the people of this city, but of the South Island as a whole. , _ i Since the inauguration of the Travel Association, of which Mr Pollard is director, much has already been achieved. This is shown by the appreciative remarks made by the tourists themselves, especially about the hearty welcome accorded them at Tuaruwi and the recent farewell at Lyttelton given in traditional Maori fashion, in which Mr Pitama took a leading part. The atmosphere created by the interchange of goodwill just before the boat’s departure is something to remember, and no doubt will act as a medium of advertising the wonderful potentialities of the South Island. Mr D. G. Sullivan, when Mayor of this city, repeatedly advocated the revival of Maori arts and crafts, etc.. and that monetary provision should be provided to ensure their maintenance and preservation for all time. At the Civic Theatre, during a Maori entertainment just before the visit of the Duke of Gloucester, he assured Mr Pitama and those assembled of his intention to induce the Government to include Tuahiwi in its Royal itinerary in order to give the South Island Maoris an opportunity of welcoming his Royal Highness in symbolic Ngaitahu fashion within their own palisade. In spite of Mr Sullivan’s efforts in this direction, the Government could not see its way clear to alter its Royal programme owing, perhaps, to lack of the necessary facilities, so Rotorua became once . more the sole attraction, denying the South Island its share of responsibility and Royal patronage. The South Island has every reason to be proud of its tourist facilities, and the advance made since Mr Pollard took office has been phenomenal. Mr Pitama must be given credit, too, for the part he has played. He has always made a point of emphasising Maori arts when addressing distinguished visitors, and it is no exaggeration to say that he has no peer in this direction. It seems a pity that his intellectual ability, which is so essential in the advancement of Maori arts, etc., is not officially exploited. It was recently reported from Napier that a model pa is about to be erected at a cost of £IO,OOO, at a site evidently already set aside for the purpose. I venture to say that the Hon. Sir Apirana Ngata is behind this progressive movement, and it seems-possible that the North Island is exploiting every avenue with absolute command of its tourist facilities, while we in the south here, until recently, have lamentably neglected our opportunities. Mr Sullivan should be approached with a view to having his words translated into practice in order that this branch of our tourist resorts may be exploited to the full, besides creating a memorial to the Kaumatuas, who made sacrifices in more ways than one in the early settlement of this island. —Yours, etc., J. MORGAN. January 29, 1937.