SCENERY PRESERVATION COMMISSIONERS.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8095, 24 September 1904, Page 2

SCENERY PRESERVATION COMMISSIONERS.

THEIR VISIT TO HAWERA.

The Scenery Preservation Commissioners have been very busily engaged since their arrival in Hawera oij Thursday, last week. Thu weather on the whole has not been too propitious, but many places have already betn visited, notwithstanding. Of those who age interesting themselves locally in the preservation of spois of scenic or historic interest, Messrs Wrigley, titrack, Stevens, and Atkinson have on different occasions accompanied the party on their daily tours. Generally speaking, it may be said that the Commissioners appear to have been deeply impressed with what they have seen in this district, particularly with history-making spots in connection with the Maoris. Porhaps the busiest day the Commissioners have had was Saturday last, when Messrs W. S. Percy Smith (Chairman), Mr and Mrs Matthews, Mr Skinner, Mr Smith (secretary), accompanied by Mr Struck, were out. Mr Inhster's property at Normanby was first visited, and the great Tawhakatara redoubt was inspected. The trenches in this redoubt are supposed to have been 80 feet deep, but the excavations are now filled up. The Chairman (Mr Smith), who is an ex-Stirveyor-(joneral, had many interesting reminiscences to recount to the party of stirring incidents that happened 40 years ago when ho was surveying this district. His recollection proved keen and he was able with certainty to point to the spot where poor Smith had been shot dead, Jones wounded, and so on. The Okehu redoubt, noar the Electric Light Company's works, which is surrounded by beautiful native trees known as Wharaugi, Kangiora, and I'ukapnka, was found to hay« been nn oxtensive fort, but is not in a good state of preservation. The fort, however, is heaulifuly situated, on & tongue of land, and will probably be reserved. Photographs wero takon of this spot, as of many others. The Aotea Roa pah, on the Hastings road, was viewed, and the Were Were redoubt was found to he in a .state of ruins, it having been filled up. Thu Puponga pah, in the valley near the sourco of tho Inalia, was the largest redoubt seen. It is very extensive, covering about 10 acres, and its four lines of defenco are distinctly marked. Tho redoubt hud been occupied by three distinct hapus. The Wajhi redoubt and a pah on Mr J. Goodsoii's property were found to be iv a very fine state of |m»Hurvntiou, tlio Ngatiiiwa pits bring plainly visible. Turutucu Mokai, on Fantham's property, ha,d f,otir redoubts. This placo wus also nn extensive {or,t, having been occupied by probably 5000- Maories. Here Mr Smith pointed out a spot upon wh\ch hn had camped nearly half' a century ago. Adjoining Ttir,uturii Mokar ip another pah ol four iu'wji, now vested in the Borough Council, and it was hero that poor- Captain Uoss was brutally killed. A rapid inspection of a few minor places, and tho day's work was ended. It wn« painfully evident that there hud been no consideration for tlio preservation of these places so rich with historic associations. Trees have boon ruthlessly destroyed, but it was agreed that if some of tho spots are set aside, and cattlo and sheep kept off, tree* and shrubs will again shoot out and tho old nativp beauty bp in n large mcusuro restored.

Amongst other places (ho old Ohangi native fojUfinUitm and Oatupnwa pah (tho latlor on Mr Willinms 1 fnrm) w»rp viewed. Tho doings of tho Commissioners on Tuesday hnvo already boon pulJiahcd. On that day tho Chairman did not nccoinpany tlio party, and as ninny of thn spots were considered of especial interest Friday was occupied in going over » grnat portion of the ground again. Tho old historic pah., Pokaikai, on Mr Lysaght's property was located, Although the traces wero almost obliterated-, and> it« reservation would bo uselow, whjlle a, good specimen of a Maori fighting pah o» Me Davidson's property, was (oundr to be in a good state of preservation. As the weather continues to be inclement, and the roads generally Hi a bad state, tho Commissioners this morning decided to go to Wanganui for a week. Their intention is to return to Hawora nn the 27th inst M and they hopo during the following week to complete their investigation in this district.