NATIVE VILLAGES

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17130, 4 September 1926, Page 16

NATIVE VILLAGES

PROPOSED I!E-M0I)ELL1NG. TOWN PLANNING LINKS. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Royal Commission reporting on the question of establishing model villages on the present sites of the settlements at Whakarewnrewa and O'hinemutu, states that the former settlemp„l , Ul( | the native portion of the latter should be of a purely residential character, and only dwellings, meeting houses, and shops for the sale of Maori curios be allowed. Since thousands of visitors from all parts of the world visit the villages annually, it was important that the settlement should leave tourists with a. good impression. The commission fears the reverse may often be the case, at present by reason of the unsightly structures at the entrances. It recommends a more rigid and more frequent health inspection of the villages, a detailed survey for Hie design of sewerage schemes, and the ascertaining of the number of buildings to be removed or modified; a survey and layout of the area in the rear of Whaka village to permit of the erection of buildings and relieve congestion; an immediate start on the access road; preparation of plans of the areas to he remodelled ou town planning lines; the preparation of typical plans of dwellings; tlio removal of the present tearooms on the Government reserve at Whaka; the planting of native frees and shrubs, the demolition of certain buildings on marine parade. Ohinemiitii and its conversion to a motor parking area : the construction of the waterfront road at Ohinemutu; improvement to the tm trance to Whaka by the removal of the present unsightly buildings, and the provision of suitable entrance gales. When the report was presented to the House, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. 11. E. Holland, and the Hon. A. T. NgaUi, welcomed the selling up of the Commission and their recommendations, which would result in the preservation of many historical spots and vanishing native customs. The Prime Minister, in reply, paid a tribute to the generosity of _ the Arawa tribe in entertaining distinguished visitors to Kolorua. Their readiness to co-operate in this way was adding greatly to the interest of the thermal regions.