RATANA'S PLANS UPSET

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4440, 5 September 1933, Page 5

RATANA'S PLANS UPSET

SITE FOR MODEL PA.

MAORIS CAMP ON PROPERTY.

A hitch has occurred in Ratana's plans to build a model pa at Patea in honour of the early Maori navigator Turi, whose memory was recently perpetuated by the building of a canoe in concrete.

Ratana arrived unexpectedly at Patea with a large party of natives, including a brass band. The party is fully equipped, having all the necessary artisans for the work of building the pa, which would be under the supervision of Ratana himself. Most of the man are young and, though residents of Ratana pa, near Turakina, represent tribes throughout New Zealand. The equipment includes a generator for electric light for use until Government power can be secured.

Unfortunately for the Maori prophet's plans, there is likely to be a serious hitch, for the land on which it is proposed to build the pa is under lease to the Patea Butchery Company, and has some five years to run. The site is known as Rangitaawhi-tee-wai-o-Turi, and in it is the celebrated spring Parara-ki-Teuru. It has been handed down from Turi to Ratana through his mother's side.

On Thursday Mr. F. Ramsb'ottom, of the Patea Butchery Company, accompanied by his solicitor and Constable Kelly, proceeded to the land in question, where Ratana and nearly a hundred of his followers were found with all the accessories of a camp. There were, in addition, two large motor cars and a large lorry containing a quantity of equipment and a number of band instruments. Ratana was informed that the land was under lease to the Butchery Company and had some four years to run. The actual lease, with the Native Land Board's approval duly endorsed, was produced, and the natives were asked to remove themselves and their belongings from the property. It was pointed out that the property was leased as a holding paddock for stock prior to slaughtering, and the presence of a large number of people on the section, which is only about 15 acres in extent, would have a detrimental effect on the animals.

The request, however, was declined by Ratana, it is stated, in no uncertain manner, and in anything but polite terms. Mr. Ramsbottom had consequently no option but to leave the prophet and his followers in possession and allow the matter to be decided by the court.

The sequel should be decidedly interesting, as the natives seem to be determined to camp on the property, in spite of the lease. The erection of a model pa on the section, at any rate during the next four years, until the lease expires, is extremely doubtful.