No Further Move Toward PM's Canoe

Northern Advocate, 13 January 1948, Page 7

No Further Move Toward PM's Canoe

KAIKOHE, Tue. (Sp.)—The Maoris interested have made no further move towards the felling of the Puketi forest kauri selected as suitable for the construction -of a giant canoe for the waters of Lake Omapere. Today—the second Tuesday in January—was the day selected by a group of elders as the day when they, together with their chosen workmen, would enter the forest and bring the giant tree, which has been growing for some 1000 years, to earth. However, the State Forest Service, controlling the forest in which the tree stands, have asked for the payment of £l2B in royalties. SURPLUS LANDS It is also understood that the Maoris have been prevented from entering the forest in the vicinity of the tree until this sum is paid. Inquiries made this morning disclosed that nothing further in the matter had been done by the local Maoris, who are, it is believed, awaiting the decision of the Surplus Lands Commission, as the tree stands on land claimed by the Maoris when the commission sat in Kaikohe recently. The canoe is to be constructed by a section of the Ngapuhi tribe for presentation to the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser), to keep on Lake Omapere as his personal property.