MAORI PAS SAVED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20642, 14 August 1930, Page 13

MAORI PAS SAVED.

BANKS OF WAIKATO RIVER# PROVISION FOR RESERVES. ACTION OF LAND BOARD. fBY TELEGKATH. —OWN CORBESrONDENT.J HAMILTON, Wednesday. Steps to preserve the wonderful Maori pas found some years ago at Waotu South, near the banks of the Waikato River, have been taken by the Auckland Land Board. The principal pa, Piraunui, is on the property of Mr. W. M. Commons, of Auckland, and is situated on the eastern bank of the Waikato River, opposite-the Motu quarry, from which the contractors of the Arapuni dam drew their supplies of stone for the dam. Arrangements have been made by the Land Board and Mr. Commons to set aside 30 acres, containing the pa as a reserve. ■ Other pas in the vicinity, Hokio, Pawaiti and Puketotara, are situated on native land, and they will also be set aside as reserves when the adjacent land comes into use. The pas are in a remarkable state of preservation, and are excellent examples of what the Maori redoubts looked lik# when in use. Piraunui is built on an eminence, and is provided with a fosse or trench on one side, with, steep declivities on the remaining sides. Numerous storage chambers for food and water are cut info the formation of the pa. The topography of the country, and th« labour put into the construction of the pa. must have made it a formidable stronghold. The pa has not been habited for probably 100 years, and is regarded by the local natives as tapu. • Tho-pa is well off the beaten track, but is within easy walking distance of the road terminus at Waotu.