EXHIBITION MAORI HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 124, 19 February 1941, Page 6

EXHIBITION MAORI HOUSE

Gift To Christchurch Dominion special service CHRISTCHURCH, February 18. A report on negotiations over the 'Maori house was given to the Christchurch Domains Board by lhe chairman, Mr. H. Kitson, al yesterday’s meeting, after a letter bad been read from tlie town clerk, Mr. 11. S.iFeasl. Nir. Kil.son later described this letter as (lie first official definite statement that, tlte Government’s offer of tlie Maori bouse had been accepted. It said tiiat the Christchurch City Council hail decided Io accept tlie Government’s offer to give tlie Maori house from the Centennial Exhibition aud there would be a ’ conference with Maoris about tlie site on February 11. Mr. Kitson reported on two conferences, one of which was held recently. In tlie first one tlie Minister of Native Affairs, Mr. Langstone, had come to tlie city and iiad been shown various sites. He was against the Carlton bridge site and also thought that the site near the Armagh Street bridge was too far out, but favoured the site suggested opposite (lie Limes Hospital by the Victoria Street bridge. Failing this. Abberley Park "as the best place in Mr. Langstone’s view, said Mr. Kitson.

At. a later conference ii had been left to a subcommittee to make recommendations about Hie transport and tlie site for lhe house. Mr. Kil.son said Unit before finally choosing a site the city council would have to put through a lull to vest the land in it. and before that "’as done representations from tlie Domains Board would have to lie heard.