Maori reserve’s future discussed

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32958, 3 July 1972, Page 12

Maori reserve’s future discussed

The lack of concern by the Maori people of Christchurch about the future of the Maori reserve property in Berry Street, St Albans, was “very disheartening,” the chairman of the trustees (Mr A. Philips) told 16 persons at a public meeting at the Te Rehua meeting house in Christchurch yesterday.

The meeting was called by, the trustees to decide whether to sell the acre of land to the Christchurch City Council, as sought by the council more than a year ago. The meeting unanimously approved a motion “that the Maori committee is considering the sale of the Berry Street property subject to the following conditions: that the Christchurch City Council provide an alternative property for marae needs; and that this action be subject to the confirmation of a special public meeting to be held in one month.”

Representatives of the nine trustees will meet the council on Friday to put this recommendation.

The Berry Street property had been bought at a cost of $5480 with the intention of building a marae. But it would be impossible to build a marae on the site that would meet the necessary requirements because it was zoned residential, said Mr Philips. “My thoughts are that if you can get a fair price, the

money could be frozen in an account. The interest could then be building up instead of us having to pay rates and maintenance costs every year,” he said. The Rev. M. Mete, vicar of Phillipstown, a newly appointed trustee, said that the Berry Street property did not lend itself to the development of a marae. He agreed that the land should be sold and the money invested. In the meantime, use should be made of existing facilities such as Te Rangimarie, Phillipstown hall, and Te Rehua, he said. The use of the facilities should be governed by a “revitalised” amalgamation of Maori organisations in Christchurch. Mr W. Nicholson said that it would be premature to sell the land, as its value could double in two years. The 1966 valuation is $5700, while the council is understood to have offered about $lO,OOO for the property with a view to developing it as pensioner units.

The trustees have arranged an independent valuation.