MAIA.

Evening Star, Issue 19298, 10 July 1926, Page 2

MAIA.

TO THE EDITOE. Sir, —Some little time ago there appeared in your paper an article under the above heading which calls for some correction. Your correspondent “ Resident,” in bis remarks, stated that “ this portion of West Harbor is erroneously called ‘ Maia,’ when it should bo ‘ Rothesay,’ and also tiiat ‘ Maia ’ is the block of land well away from the Main road.” Portions of ihjs township were originally owned at various tunes by Messrs Hartley, Marsdeu, and Sir Robert Stout, the latter gentleman finally holding the mam portion of it, which then comprised between thirty and forty acres. It extended from the Main road to well up on the hillside, being bounded on Lho one side by the. township of Kothesav, and on the other by tho township of (’rant. “ Resident ” will probably remember that for some years a largo signboard stood on the latter township lacing the Main road, denoting that this was the village ot Frant, but evidently tho siguwrite.rs were not so well educated m those days as they are at present, because tho word village was spelt “ vdliage. ' During the time that Sir Robert Stout owned Maia, my late father held a lease of portion of it for about ten years, eventually buying .sections front-' ing the Main road, which are still held by Air R. 15. Cameron.

“ Resident,” like a number of others, knew the name “Maia” on account of the number of picnics which were field, un tile upper sections, hut evidently did not know what this township comprised, and did not take the trouble to find out. The township, I understand, was called Main after the daughter of one of the previous owners, this being the Maori lor Mary. Like “ Resident,” 1 do not. profess to be an authority on Maori language, and 1. give this explanation as received Irom the original owner. Re this as it may, tho original plan of this township is at present, in my possession, and can be inspected at 21. Bath street by anyone, ini crested. J qnile agree with “ Resident ” when ho says it is wrong not to give each part its proper name, and in view ol tho gathering of ex-pupils of the school who will foregather during the forthcoming school jubilee, the retention of the name Maia for tho railway stopping place will bo the. moans ot recalling many pleasant hours spent on tho Maia picnic ground during the period of their school days. Mention has been made of the late pioneer, Thom its Corbett. i)e Bacy , whoso property adjoined “Maia.' Alary a pleasant and instructive hour have J. spent in his company, and many a time did he express his regret at the changing of old names to tho new, which tended to destroy those links ot remembrance between the past and present. In view of these facts, I trust those responsible for the naming of the new railway slopping place will adhere to the original name of Maia. —I. am, etc., July y. J. D. Gamjsiujx,