MAORI MEETING HOUSE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 15

MAORI MEETING HOUSE.

BUILT BY TE KOOTI.

LETTER FROM SIR A. T. NCATA

An appeal made by Mr. G. Rikard Schjeldorup, a Norwegian artist visiting New Zealand, for tho preservation, by suitable repair, of an old meeting-house at Matatua is referred to in a letter rccoived by tho New Zealand Tourist League from tho Minister of Native Affairs, Sir Apirana Ngata. Mr. Schjelderup's viows wore quoted in the Herald on Juno 29, and were referred to tho Minister by Mr. G. M. Fowlds, president -of the league. Tho Minister states: "I know tho carved house referred to, and had something to do with tho" proposal to repair it during tho lifetimo of the Chief of Ruatahuna, To Amo Kokouri. The old chief died some months ago, and I hear that there is now a proposal to remove tho building to Run* toki, tho Ruatoki and Ruatahuna natives being closely related. Tho houso is really a modern one built by tho lato To Kooti Rikirangi and his people. This is Te Kooti tvho was so prominent in tho Maori Wars on the east coast, and who founded tho Ringatu Cult, tho preinior religion of the Maori tribes in tho Bay of Plenty and Urewera Country.

"From tho Maori standpoint it is tho carvings, tho rafters with tho appropriate rafter pattern and tho decorative panels that are most worth preserving. In these days tho greatest risk is from fire, hence tho necessity for somo fire-proof rooting material and wall-protection. Tho idea of concrete foundations is inspired by tho need of preserving the butts of tho carved slabs and posts. "You will not find the Maoris anywhere enthusiastic in handing over their tribal buildings to organisations on which European representation will necessarily be. predominant. The precedent of tho carved liouso Matatua, which formerly stood at Whakatane, was then sent to London and nearly rotted to destruction there, was then sent back to tho Dominion on the occasion of the Dunedin Exhibition, and is now about to be roerccted under the auspices of the Otago Museum, is not encouraging. There are other reasons also why it seems desirable that these carved structures should remain in important Maori villages, where they will undoubtedly influence the minds of the younger generation of Maoris."