CANTERBURY CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL RESERVE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22438, 27 June 1938, Page 7

CANTERBURY CENTENNIAL MEMORIAL RESERVE

to TUB RDITOB Of THE PUBS*. Sir, —I arq led to believe that a plan is being advanced for the purchase of the Onawe Peninsula as a centennial memorial reserve for Canterbury. This place is spoken of as one of the most important pieces of land historically, in the South Island. Its claim appears to be based on the battle that was fought there, but this fight, though stated to be one of the most memorable of South Island Maori battles, is not, I believe! according to some writers, quite entitled to that distinction. However, even if it were so, I believe that there is another place situated close to and adjoining Akaroa on the south, which has much more claim to recognition. I refer to Takapuneke, to give it its old Maori name, but which to-day is best known as Green Point. Its claims may be thus briefly stated: In 1830 the Chief Te Mai Haranui lived here and it is where Te Rauparaha <wbo connived with Captain Stewart of the brig Elizabeth to bring him and I his warriors to Akaroa) carried I out j the capture of the said chief and the ; awful massacre that followed with its ' terrible orgies. In 1839 Captain W. B. Rhodes on November 10 landed the first cattle in the Canterbury province here and placed in charge Mr Wm. Green, whose son Peter, is stated to be the first male child to be born in the said province. Captain.Rhodes also built a house hero which became known, by its paint, as the “Red House” and the small bay a: the foot, the “Red House Bay,” where, in later years, shipbuilding wa's carried out. In 1840 Governor Hobson requested Captain Stanley, R.N., in the Britomart to proceed to Akaroa and hoist the British flag. This was enacted at Green Point on August 11, and thus the French were prevented from carrying out the plans they had in vie*w. A short time after this, the Mr Green, already mentioned, built a hotel at the point which now bears his name, and which is looked upon by many as the first to be erected in Canterbury. To this house came numerous whalers, and from all accounts carried on socalled "high jinks.” What is here stated can all be verified, and especially the site itself, by the works of the Rev. Canon J. W Stack, so well known as an authority on Maori names and places, by Mr Roberts in his “Maori Nomenclature” and by Johannes C. Andersen and others. It will thus be seen that “Takapuneke” has many claims to history in its favour, and I firmly believe that no other has so many. I trust that any decision that may be arrived at may not be made too hastily, and that “Takapuneke” will receive its due share of A? this matter c<?nearns the whole of Canterbury ‘ all should show a keen interest in it as this opportunity comes only once in a 100 year’s. Such being the case, let us see that, as far as possible, the most historic spot in Canterbury (Akaroa or elsewhere) is selected and properly cared for, thus making history for our land and the generations who follow us.—Yours, etc., A. I* HAYLOCK. June 24. 1938. ■