NUISANCE AT OHAWE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 30 March 1926, Page 9

NUISANCE AT OHAWE.

■ DAMAGE TO GAB DENS. ‘ ‘ WANTON DESTRUCTION. ’ ’ That some of the people who visit the Oliawe Beach during the summer season have little regard or appreciation for the privilege extended by the native trustees of the Oliawe Reserve to the pakelias in allowing persons to enjoy surf bathing, is evident, from a complaint, received which indicates that considerable damage is being dom to tho gardens on and around the reserve by visitors. Some little .time ago it was understood that potatoes were being stolen from the gardens of both Europeans and natives; but now comes an allegation of “wanton destruction,’’ Last Sunday several irresponsible persons were caught by native gardeners in the act of hacking water melons to pieces, apparently for the sport of the thing.

It may not be realised that, the use of the approach to the Ohnwc Beach is merely a privilege extended by the native trustees of the reserve (which runs right down to the water’s edge), and the abuse of this privilege by a few of the visitors to the beach may prove sufficient" to cause the trustees to refuse to allow visit or s-to make use of the reserve, thus cutting off one of Hawera’s most favoured summer pleasure resorts. The natives feel strongly in the matter, as do Europeans who have erected dwellings near the beach, for it is not only the natives that have suffered. In view of the great fertility of the sandy soil near the beach, many pakehas have cultivated: vegetables on the small plots of land rented, and have found lately, on digging, that while the,upper growths have been left severely alone, the tubers have been surreptitiously removed.