CREDIT TO MAORIS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24369, 3 September 1942, Page 4

CREDIT TO MAORIS

ROTORUA'S BEGINNINGS POTENTIAL GARDEN CITY (0.C.) ROTORUA, Wednesday "The long-range planning provisions of the Ngati-Whakaue tribe will, I believe, make Rotorua one of the largest and most popular inland cities of the Dominion in future years," said Mr. H. Tai Mitchell, C.M.G., when addressing the Rotorua Rotary Club on the development of the town. It had the opportunity of becoming a garden city, he said, and much of the credit for its potentialities was due to the NgatiWhakaue tribe, which had made many sacrifices to facilitate the establishment of the town. "In 1880, just after the Maori wars," said Mr.- Mitchell, "the Government, recognising the popularity the thermal district was acquiring, opened negotiations with the people of Ohinemutu village for the establishment of a township. Real Sacrifice Made "Chief Judge Fenton was sent to confer with the tribal chiefs, who agreed to co-operate, but laid down certain clauses which were to be upheld by both parties. On February 28, 1882, a title to the township of Rotorua was issued." An area was set aside by the tribe for parks, recreational reserves and educational endowments. This included the Kuirau Reserve, Pukeroa Hill, including the primary school and teacher's residence, the Government gardens, the Marine Parade and the Arikikapakapa reserve. "It was a real sacrifice for the Maoris to relinquish Pukeroa Hill," said Mr. Mitchell, "for, in addition to it being their burial ground, it was also the home of their god of disaster." Worthy of Remembrance As educational endowments there were five blocks, extending from the lake edge at the foot of Amohia Street to the County Chambers, including 60 sections and bringing in £I2OO annually for the benefit of the children. It was probably the school in New Zealand which had a private source of income. "It was due to the foresight of the Ngati-Whakaue tribe that such an asset as the town of Rotorua has come into being," stated Mr. Mitchell. "Whatever happens we should never forget the great gifts bestowed by the tribe. The town should exist as' a basis of friendly relations between Maori and pakeha." TRANSPORT OF GOODS COMMITTEE IN HAMILTON (0.C.) HAMILTON. Wednesday The first meeting of the Hamilton Goods Transport Control Committee set up under the Transport Control Emergency Regulations was held to-day. The personnel of the committee is: Messrs. T. C. Galloway (chairman), C. V. Nicklin, E. A. Cooper and Mrs. D. Cleave. It was decided that for the present all persons affected by the regulations be permitted to carry on operations. It is expected that drastic curtailments of existing services will be made in the near future. CONTROL OF TAXIS WHANGAREI AREA (0.C.) WHAXGAREI, Wednesday With the main object of conserving petrol, tyres and manpower, a taxi control committee has been set tip in Whangarei under warrant by the Minister or Transport, the Hon. R. Semple. It comprises .Messrs. G. H. Lloyd (chairman), D. C. Copeland and R. R. Mcnzies, all of Whangarei. The district controlled by the committee includes all the area within 10 miles from the Whangarei post office.