ALBATROSS FOR FOOD
PETITION TO PARLIAMENT CHATHAM ISLANDS MAORIS > [BY TELEGRAPH SPECIAL REPORTER] ■WELLINGTON, Thursday The right to take albatross is sought by the Maoris of Wharekauri, Chatham Islands, in a petition presented to Parliament to-day. "There are three species of these birds," says the petition. "The tara is taken in the March to April season, the tataki in the September-October season, and the ruru in the DecemberJanuary season. These seasons were kept from the time of our elders even to our own time. We were taught by our elders not to foul rookeries. The islands from. which we deisire to take the birds were awarded by the Native Land Court to Maui Poinare, to his younger brothers and other descendants of Toenga Te Poki. Those who despoiled rookeries were prohibited from again visiting the islands by descendants of Poinare and Toenga Te Poki. "The birds were taken for food only in the seasons mentioned, wherefore your petitioners earnestly pray to grant us Maoris of Wharekauri only permission to take these birds in the seasons mentioned above." The petition concludes: "0 honourable members, favourably consider our petition—enough—it is finished.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21615, 6 October 1933, Page 8
Word Count
189ALBATROSS FOR FOOD New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21615, 6 October 1933, Page 8
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