ROTORUA MAORIS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 13726, 16 April 1908, Page 6

ROTORUA MAORIS.

HEALTH AND SANITATION

COMPETITION AND IMPROVEMENT.

The Chief Health Officer (Dr. Mason), returned from Rotorua last evening, where he has been engaged on Departmental business. During his visit be took part in an interesting ceremony. About four months ago, when Dr. Mason was in the same district, he suggested to the Maoris at Ohinemutu and Whakarewa.rewa that lie would give a prize for the cleaneshouse and the tidiest garden. A committee, consisting of the Rev. Bennett, Miss Roehfort (matron of the Waikato Sanatorium), and Dr. Buck (native health of ficer), was appointed to allocate the award. In the meantime, however, the scheme broadened. Mr. Leo. Duller and another gentleman gave £1 each towards the prize fund, and the Mayor of Auckland (Mr. A. M. Myers) contributed £2 2s. Her Excellency Lady Plunket. also took an interest in the movement, and signed the. certificates given to the winner;..

O.) Tuesday night Dr. Mason attended a big gathering of the Maoris, and presented the prizes, two first awards of £1 each, two of 10s each, and the certificates', divided between the natives of Ohincautu and Whakarewarewa. In handing over the prizes to the successful competitors, the Chief Health Officer printed out that they were not to be looked upon as bribes, but as a recognition of the good work some of them had been doing in advancing the sanitary conditions of the pas. Some time ago Miss Roehfort gave demonstrations to the native women and children of deep breathing, and also delivered a course of lectures upon the care of children. On Tuesday night, at the same gathering, Dr. Mason was given an exhibition of what the native* could do as a result of this. He was very pleased. The Chief Health Officer has been promised prizes for the Maori mothers taking best care of their children.

In expressing to a Herald representative yesterday his pleasure at the advance in sanitary and health matters amongst the Rotorua, natives. Dr. Mason said he would like to record his particular appreciation of the good work being done by the Rev. Bennett and Mies Roehfort and Dr. Buck. The Maoris were making a ready response to their efforts. The result is," he said, "that the villages °re cleaner, and the people are in a fine condition generally. lam very pleased. 1 may say, too, that I took the liberty of specially drawing the attention of the natives to* the interest that Lady Plunket, is taking in them."