SANITARY MATTERS AT KARITANE.

Evening Star, Issue 12418, 3 February 1905, Page 6

SANITARY MATTERS AT KARITANE.

At a public meeting, presided over by Mr , T. Parata, M.HJti, held early in the week, it was decided to erect sanitary conveniences on the high ground adjacent to the cemetery, and an Executive Committee were appointed to carry oat the work. When s start was made yesterday to take out the necessary excavation the workers were me* with a protest from some of the natives, and nothing was done pending further reference to a public meeting, which was called for nine o’clock this morning. In opening the proceedings to-day, Mr Parata said that there wan some mis- ... understanding, and that the native community had come to the conclusion that to erect sapitaxy conveniences in the neighborhood of the cemetery would be distasteful to the natives. He contended that the inhabitants were wrong in supposing that the land selected was public property, because in reality the Treaty of Waitangi conferred upon the natives the when* of the land and beach extending from tie cemetery to the river ai low water, embracing the cockle and pip/ beds. Nothing could be done without th* sanction of a general meeting of the natives convened for the purpose, and they 1 could not recognise the resolutions of previous _ general meetings of the public as committing them to any assent to what bad been carried. Dr Trnby King, speaking on behalf of the Cemetery Osmmitttee, said that, in accordance with the request of the previous meeting, Mr McDonald and'he had yesterday commenced the supplying of what wa* needed on the site selected, out the workmen had desisted from proceeding on being told by some of the natives that in their opinion disrespect to ancestors might ho implied in allowing sanitary conveniences to be erected near the cemetery. He at once saw Mr Parata and the Hon, Mi . Pinkerton, and after consulting with fishermen and others it was decided to hold a special meeting in order to arrive at a final, and definite 1 conclusion. But personally he had no doubt that an objection had been raised by the natives to the site previously selected. Hey must look out for some other place which would be acceptable to everyone. The mere fact that it had occurred to some of the natives to raise the question as to the proximity of tiie cemetery was quite enough to make if undesirable to consider the original site any further. It had been suggested that the position was far away from the boatsheds, and that a less conspicuous site would be preferable. Both these objeo- . tiorns were tree, but at previous meetings no one had been able to think of any other site on public ground which would meet the sanitary requirements, and it was felt that by the growth ol shrubs all question of unsightEnese could be quickly met. However, the first objection was paramount, and on further locking into the matter they had come to the conclusion that an admirable site for the purpose would be at the triangle at the foot of the cliff, dose to where the road from the station joins the beach. Here trees and shrubs were already so tall that the small structure required could be placed almost entirely out of sight, and could be approached through a small wicket gate, leading by a winding pathway through the shrubbery from the road One across ibe triangle to the beftch. There would thus be two inconspicuous means of access, and as the sandy soil runs through some four or five feet at least along the track, allriak of offence was obviated. The point raised by the chairman as to the whole of the northern approach and the peninsula being native property need not affect the question, because if the natives would assent to the necessary work being carried out in the meantime he would himself see that what was done would be not only unobjectionable to the natives, but would be as accessible to them as it. would to the rest of the community. In order to allay all doubt on this point, he was willing to undertake that at the end of six months the structure would be removed if any objection to its remaining were then raised by the natives. Something must be done, and be felt that as the pipis and cockles were used for food, the natives should be more interested than anyone else in keeping the river flat free from all pollution. • The Hon. Mr Pinkerton thought that there would be no objection to placing a motion embodying Dr Kin Vs proposal before the meeting; if rejected the whola question would be at an end unless something further were bum -lit forward. Some further discussion then took place, Mr Mackinnon and Mr Otto Bower speaking on behalf of the fishermen, and pointing out the invidious position in which they were placed. Many of their cottages, they said, were without any sanitary conventcnees. They had come forward to assist in making suitable provision, but were met with obstacles at every turn. They had shown that it was not their fault if the place was not so clean as it should be.

TV King then formally proposed the following resolution : —“This meeting request Mr T. Panda, M.H.R., to test the feelings of the natives of the district, during tho course of the coming week as to their willingness to have sanitary conveniences placed on the position in the triangle at the entry to tho to Turinp (pointed out to the meeting), subject to the undertaking of the Sanitary Committee to remove the structure at th"ir own fxner.se at. the'end of s ix months if desired to do so hv the natives; or 2 that n-’riod should be allowed to pass by to undertake removal within a year of receiving notice at ary future time.”

Mr Parata, in pressing on the point of native ownership, mentioned that it had been the intention of the natives to use tho Talk ci some time for the erection, of a hoatshed.

Further discussion took place, during winch Mr Moses Wood raid lie was of opinion that if ever the structure were allowed to be erected, it would remain (here for ever. Dr King’s motion was then seconded by the Hon. Mr Pinkerton, and carried by a roajoritv of one vote. The meeting was about to break up, when Mrs Hamer an non need that an ancestor had been buried at the spot mentioned, and this was confirmed by the chairman, wh« cave the name of the deceased—viz., Herekoraku. Dr King then proposed the following amendment:—“ That as it has been dis. covered that bodies have been buried on the site selected, all further proceedings bv the Sanitary Committee be stepped,’* This was seconded bv the Hon. Mr Pinkerton and carried unanimously. It. is understood that the Sanitary Oow mittee will do nothing further.