TAPU ON RESERVOIR
(5.Z. Prru Association) WHANGAREI, Feb. 28. As a result of the tapu placed on the Kawakawa reservoir after the drowning of Tamati Henare Tipene, aged 33, of 22 North road, Kawakawa. on Friday, the district has been served with spring water pumped into the system. The tapu was laid by the Kawakawa Maori executive and elders of the Ngatihine tribe, according to a letter received by the Kawakawa Town Council on Saturday.
The Town Clerk (Mr R. Fleteher) is seeking to have the tapu lifted. A spokesman for the council said that the council met the requirements of the Kawakawa Maori executive by draining and sluicing out the reservoir and it was hoped the tapu would soon be lifted.
Steps towards that end had been taken and the decision of the Maori executive was awaited. Mr J. Pou. _ local authority on Maori lore, said in the old days a
tapu would be placed on a spring from which drinking water was drawn in the event of a drowning taking place in it He did not know exactly how the tradition of tapu would apply to a public reservoir. It was normal for practical consideration to be taken into account when a tapu was applied, and where basic needs of a community had to he met. the tapu was usually of comparatively short dura-tion-enough to show respect for the dead.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 3
Word Count
232TAPU ON RESERVOIR Press, Issue 30997, 1 March 1966, Page 3
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