"BIG KORERO”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXV, Issue 10376, 6 April 1927, Page 5

"BIG KORERO”

UREWERA MAORIS’ REQUESTS. ROADS TO VILLAGES WANTED.

DEPUTATION TO A.A.A.

(Special to the Times.), AUCKLAND, April 5,

Advantage was taken by tiie Maoris, on the occasion of the weekend motorists’ visit to Ureretva, -to have a “korero” on the roading question in that country, for, as elsewhere, the need is acute. A number of leading chiefs gathered in the Hinenui Tepo meeting house at Te WTbaiti for the purpose. The scene and the occasion were unique, for the only other gatherings with outsiders had been, in the first instance, when 200 soldiers were camped there in 1895, and when the policemen went in after Rua in 1916. The latest visit was a peaceful one. The Maoris squatted all round the walls, and leaning up ..against the panels- carved by their ancestors while the visitors were accommodated with seats to the top end under the pictures of those famous canoes Tainui and Matatua, while above them on the roof was Maui holding up the long white cloud. ONE HEART; ONE FLAG.

After a brief “korero” among themselves, the paramount chief of the Urewera, Koltouri, a venerable old man, welcomed the visitors. “My first words,” said the chief, “are just, ‘Welcome.’ Underneath we are all the same; we are one heart and have one flag. We are all brothers and sisters. There is one little matter I want to put before you, and that is, we need roads. From Te Whaiti to Ruatahuna is all right, as you will see, hut on to the great lake needs doing. Already a few men are but if many were put on then it would he done faster. But what we do want are roads from our villages to connect with the main road, so that our children can go to school, and also so that we can get our cream out. The distance from my home at Matatua is five miles, and Wliakatane river has to be crossed. The Prime Minister had suggested a swing bridge, but that is not enough. We have given the Government 22,000 acres to provide funds for that purpose, and, so far, not a penny has been spent.” APPEAL FOR CHILDREN. Others spoke along the same lines, one speaker emphasising the need for some roads, so that the children can get to school in some degree of comfort and safety. At present they have'to climb along logs over the river, and through tlie scrub. Mr. J. B. King replied for the visitors, stating that the Auckland Automobile Association would endeavor to help them in their efforts to get better roading conditions.