Monument in Square
Sir—Cathedral Square belongs to the people of Christchurch; it is maintained by the ratepayers, yet for some obscure reason no-one is prepared to admit on whose auth-* ority and expense a monument was placed there, supposedly marking 1000 years of occupation of New Zealand by the Maoris. According to remembered history and genealogies of most tribes, as well as inscriptions on other monuments throughout New Zealand, the seven canoes of the Great Fleet, Aotea, Arawa, Horouta, Mataatua, Tainui, Takitimu and Tokomaru arrived about 600 years ago. Even the concept of the Great Fleet has been described as a post-European romanticisation without warrant. It is not long since the last Moriori died, and the Morioris preceded the Maoris. We do not want Cathe- ’ dral Square cluttered up with monuments of unknown origin, inscribed with unauthentic drivel. Christchurch and the. Maori people should not be
made fools of. Ratepayers want an explanation.—Yours, etc.,
FRANK FREEMAN. October 25, 1981.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19811029.2.117.3
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Press, 29 October 1981, Page 20
Word Count
159Monument in Square Press, 29 October 1981, Page 20
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