Radios Plentiful In Maori Slum Settlement

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 September 1949, Page 4

Radios Plentiful In Maori Slum Settlement

WHANGAREI, This Day (P.A.). —The retrogression into a slum of what was once an attractive settlement was discussed by the Bay of Islands Hospital Board. The settlement is the- Maori “village” behind the Moe - rewa freezing works, which members said was known locally as “Tunatown.” (“Tuna” is the Maori word for eel).’ The subject was raised by the board s medical superintendent, Dr G. J. Frengley, who said the condition of most of the houses was steadily deteriorating. The cottages, were mainly army huts provided for Maoris who were induced to take employment at the freezing works during the war in order to increase the exports of meat. “Though each has a radio,” he added, “the floors in many cases are covered with mud and the cooking is done primitively on an open hearth.” The medical officer of health is to be asked to inspect and report.