OHAWE BEACH.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 September 1928, Page 9

OHAWE BEACH.

THE MAORI RESERVE. AN ATTEMPTED EXCHANGE. Since 1913 efforts hare been made, more or less actively, to arrange an exenange of the “basin” lying between the road and the Domain at Ohawe for a part of the Domain which lies on top of the cliffs, in order that this area inav be improved and buildings erected for the benefit and convenience of the people who visit there and also of the Maori people. But the most regular and businesslike effort was made to-day, when the Deputy Native Trustee (Mr. H. S. King), the Taranaki representative of the Native Trustee (Mr. C. F. Jacobs), with Mr. M. R. Jones as interpreter, were present at a, round-table conference between 24 native owners of the Rangatapu Reserve (17 men and seven women) and Messrs.' E. Dixon (chair-; man) and E. Iv. Cameron (secretary) of the Ohawe Domain Board. After a fairly long discussion with speakers on hath'sides under the direction of Mr. King, the Maoris gave their decision that” they could not see their way to accede to the request made by the. board. The. decision was conveyed by Mr. Pori Whareumu, who said he was the mouthpiece of the tribes assembled, and lie added that neither this land nor any other could be disposed of in any way. Other speakers for the Maoris were Mr. Whakawihia and Mr. Tonga Awaliikau. The conference arose out of a Suggestion made to the Hon. O. J. Hawken and Mr. H. G, Dickie, M’s. P.. who referred the matter to the Prime Minister, and he in turn authorised the Native Trustee to call a meeting and to report to the Native "Minister. Compliments were exchanged between the representatives of the; Maori and the nakeha, and the conference then concluded.