Historic Kaikoura land sold

Press, 18 February 1983, Page 3

Historic Kaikoura land sold

Kaikoura had lost a "valuable tourist attraction" when historically important land had been sold for a housing developments the Canterbury Museum Trust Board was told yesterday. Mr I. G. Clark said that he was concerned that land next to Fyffe House had been sold when evidence indicated that it was a “valuable historical site". The Kaikoura County Council seemed to have failed to recognise its value, he said. Fyffe House was the first European house in the area and land next to it was believed to have been the first Polynesian settlement, said Mr Clark. He asked if it were possible to prevent a similar occurrence. Fyffe House had been bought by the Historic Places Trust. Museum staff had taken part in a recent study of the Polynesian settlement site. Mr M. Trotter, who will be the museums director from March, said that both the County Council and the Historic Places Trust were “extremely embarrassed" about the situation. Both organisations had offered money for research to be conducted on the land before buildings were erected. “They are trying to make the best of a bad job.” he said. He recommended that the board make its concern known “possibly before any further action is taken." The chairman of the board. Sir Hamish Hay. said the board regarded the land as “quite important in the national interest” and was “not very happy” about the situation. Mr Trotter was asked to make a report on the matter and any possible ways to prevent a similar occurrence.