Compensation claim up

Press, 5 March 1982, Page 4

Compensation claim up

PA Hamilton Maori claimants of the Raglan golf course are also demanding the clubhouse as part of a compensation package for. 40 years land dispossession.

The claimants would resist any attempts by the golf club to dig up drainage pipes under the course for use at its new inland site, according to the group’s spokeswoman, Mrs Eva Rickard. She said this was the decision made at a meeting in Raglan last week-end of more than 100 descendants of the land’s original. Tainui Awhiro owners.

“They are not going to use our land illegally for 'll years then just walk off and dig up their pipes,” she said.

“Whatever is on that land remains on that land as part of the compensation to replace our meeting house and cookhouse as promised.”

Mrs Rickard was referring ' to conditions of an acquisition agreement between the Crown and Tainui Whiro elders during World War II when the land was taken for an emergency landing strip. She said the existing clubhouse would make a good caretaker’s home and the golf club could take the matter up with the Government if it felt it had been treated badly.

Last week-end’s meeting also appointed a six-member “think tank” to draw up a land-use plan for the golf course which the claimants will apply to have zoned for Maori purposes under the Raglan County Council’s new district scheme.

Possible uses include work schemes for unemployed urban youth and recreational, cultural and educational projects.