RESERVATION AT WAITANGI

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27947, 19 April 1956, Page 16

RESERVATION AT WAITANGI

STEADY GROWTH OF AMENITIES

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 18. The Waitangi Reservation, once 1200 acres of second-growth scrub surrounding New Zealand’s most historic building—the Treaty House —is being steadily developed into a self-support-ing preserve and sports centre. A 400-acre sheep and cattle farm supports the six reservation families, and the sports centre comprises the recently-opened Paihia Bowling Club green and a golf course. Soon there will be a yacht club on the foreshore. Nearly’ 16,000 visitors have this year visited Waitangi, where, in 1840, New Zealand was made a British Crown Colony. “I attribute this to a growing consciousness of local history,” said the manager of the reservation (Mr W. A. Lindsay). In addition to the other developments. Mr Lindsay and his staff have undertaken an extensive tree-planting programme to re-establish the native bush of the reserve, which is at the mouth of the Waitangi river. The Waitangi Reservation was given to the Dominion by the then Gover-nor-General. Lord Bledisloe. It is directed by the Waitangi National Trust, a Government-appointed board which meets twice a year. The trust comprises the Governor-General, the Prime Minister, the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Minister of Lands. Messrs Vernon Reid. Riri Kawhiti. J. C. Henare. C. K. Williams. C. W. D. Bell. Sir James Elliott. Sir R. Heaton Rhodes and King Koroki.