CONDITION OF MANAIA PA

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 17 January 1935, Page 4

CONDITION OF MANAIA PA

REPAIRS TO BE EFFECTED. COUNTY COUNCIL'S ACTION. Toroa Ngataa and his followers members of a religious cult which oiiginated some two years ago following an alleged act of faith-healing bv Toroa at the pa on the Normanby road, have on various occasions caused considerable concern to settlers in the district, both pakeha and Maori, chiefly because of the living conditions nt the pa and the Maoris’ refusal to observe European customs. At a meeting of the Waimate West County Council this morning it was decided, on the advice of the Health Department, to issue to Toroa a requisition demanding him to effect additions and repairs necessary to make the pa suitable for human habitation. Should the work not be carried out by February 15, an order may be issued for tho demolition of the buildings. Dr. NT. Champtaloup, Medical Officer for Health in Taranaki, advised that the conditions under which Toroa Ngatan and his fellows were living were far from satisfactory and that the buildings used as dwellings were not suitable for the purpose. The position was accentuated by overcrowding. Dr. Champtaloup requested the council to issue a notice to Toroa requesting him to carry out specified repairs and alterations to the buildings. There was little discussion. In passing the necessary motion, several councillors agreed that the Maoris were living under conditions which were far from" healthy. Something had to be done to improve the existing state of affairs.