HISTORIC MAORI PA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20115, 28 November 1928, Page 8

HISTORIC MAORI PA.

SITE NEAR KAMARAMA.

WELL-KNOWN BEAUTY SPOT.

RESIDENTS FEAR DESTRUCTION.

NEED OF PRESERVATION URGED.

Unless action is taken l>y the Franklin County Council, residents in the vicinity of TJamarama fear that Peach Hill.! one of the finest beauty spots near '.Auckland, will lio totally destroyed as the result of quarrying operations. A" widespread agitation lias been aroused in llie district owing to tlio reported intention of a firm, which has leased 15 acres from tlio council, to blast away practically the whole of tho hill crest, it great part of which is covered with native bush.

I'each Hill, or Tuhimata Pa, as it is less familiarly known to moro recent arrivals iu tho district, has historic associations with the Maori Wars in tho Waikalo. It. lies about ono and a-half jniles from the Great South Road. Apart from its beautiful surroundings the locality is steeped in memories relating to tho struggles between native and pakeha, evidence of which is to be seen almost on everv hand from Auckland to the furthest boundaries of tho Southern Waikato. There are now but few natives living near Itamaruma, but they still look upon Tuhimata Pa as a sacred locality for the reason that over 100 warriors who fell in battle are buried near tho crest of tho hill. Maori Burlal-Flace. The old Tuhimata Pa was located on tho upper slopes of Peach Hill, rises about 500 ft. or 600 ft. and is crowned with a promontory of jagged and bare rock towering abovo slopes which are buried beneath heavy bush. 1 his was tho homo pa. where, according to Maori custom, all burials took place. I'rom its heights i. magnificent view stretches for many miles on every hand. Bombay and tho Pukekoho hills are clearly discernible in tiio near distance, while beyond them is to be seen tho hills on tho Auckland skyline. To the northwest the horizon is broken with tho long stretch of the Manukau Harbour, and to. the south is obtained a wonderful view of orderly farms and beautiful undulating country. A short distance from the home pa lies the old lighting pa, still surrounded with deep trenches and earth-works, now overgrown with long grass and shrubs. This is now known as Cumiriings Hill, and it is rich with tho relics of old fortifications erected by tho Maoris to stern the advancing tide of the white troops. Ono farmer, who has resided near the home pa for nearly 60 years, states there are still to be found many headstones erected over tho graves of Maori warriors, and ho has on several occasions replaced those which have been knocked over by children in their exploration of the site. 1" rotn time to time human bones have been unearthed on tho hill, and those more conversant with its historical associations are certain that it contains the last remains of many warriors. An Attractive Locality. In view of the fact that Peach Hill is definitely believed to be a Maori burial-ground, residents consider it should not be destroyed if only for this reason. It is pointed out in support of this that when tho Public Works Department was constructing the large drains through Piako S'.vamp a deviation was undertaken every time tho engineers came across evidences of a native burial-place. On the other hand, the locality is noted for its bush, which would be almost totally destroyed by quarrying operations, as it is stated it is intended to blast away nearly the whole of the hill crest and to clear the growth to gain access to volcanic deposits. A crushing plant is to erected at the foot of tho slopo and the spoil will bo fed to it. by gravitation from the heights above.

Representations have been made to tlie county council, and the spot was inspected on Monday by five members with the chairman, Mr. J. N. Massev, M.l'. It was pointed out to the members of the council that the hill was a favourite nicriickiifg ground not only for those reBiding in the district, bub also for many Aucklanders who motored to the hill during the summer months, 'I he council is now considerably concerned over the future use to which the hill is likely to be put, and a special meeting has been called for next Saturday to discuss the situation which has arisen. As the area lias been leased for a stated term it is not known what legal grounds the cotincii now lias fur interfering, although it is confidently expected that a strong effort will be made to preserve tho lull from destruction.