WELFARE OF MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21910, 20 September 1934, Page 12

WELFARE OF MAORIS

LORD BLEDISLOE'S INTEREST TRIBUTE BY THE ARAWAS [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] ROTORUA, Wednesday In recognition of the interest shown by the GovemorrGeneral, Lord Bledisloe, and Lady Bledisloe, in the welfare of the Maori race, the Arawa Trust Board haß written to Lord Bledisloe expressing its intention of vesting an area of about 10 acres at Maketu on the site of the landing of the Arawa canoe 600 years ago as a domain, and has asked permission of His Excellency for the reserve to be known as Bledisloe Park.

Although on private property, the section is a very popular seaside resort and very suitable for reservation as a recreation domain. If His Excellency's approval is given to the proposal, the Native Minister will be asked to promote legislation in the present session of Parliament to give effect to the board's wishes.

The site has historic significance to the whole of the Arawa tribe and for that reason is valued far beyond any other piece of land in the Arawa territory.

The following resolution, carried at the last meeting of the Arawa Trust Board, has been conveyed to Lord Bledisloe:—"The Arawa District Trust Board desires to convey to Their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Bledisloe, on behalf of the Arawa tribe, its sincere sorrow on the eve of their departure for the Homeland. The board takes the opportunity of humbly recording its grateful appreciation and thanks for Their Excellencies' interest ijj the welfare of the Maori people and practical sympathy in every movement that had for its object the uplift of the race in the path of progress, spiritually, socially and physically."