HOSTEL FOR MAORIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17234, 14 April 1930, Page 6

HOSTEL FOR MAORIS

BUILDING AT TUAKAU OPENED BY SIR A. T. NGATA The new Maori hostel at Tuakau was officially opened last week by Sir Apirana Ngata, Minister of Native Affairs. In opening the building, Sir Apiraua paid a tribute to the work being done by "Princess" Te Puea and her band of entertainers in raising funds and otherwise giving their time and efforts in encouraging .Maoris to develop their lands, and provide for themselves such amenities as the hospital at Ngaruawahia and the hostel at Tuakau. At present, said ■ the Minister, important developments were in hand, which should mean much to the native race. At Waipipi, near Waiuku, the natives were engaged under "Princess" To Puea in developing 300 acres of their own land under a system whereby they supplied the labor and' the Government farm machinery, grass ■ seed, fertilisers, and ether requisites. If the work there proved successful, an area of 800 acres at Onewhero would be developed in the same way. Applause greeted an announcement by Sir Apirana that the name ho had chosen for the building was Ngatierua, signifying the linking together of the east and the west after long years of bickering. The hostel is built on a site donated by Mr. E. Matete of Tuakau, and cost £BOO. It includes a large living-room, and three large bedrooms, with a detached kitchen. Modern facilities, including a water supply laid on from a bore on the site, are provided. The grounds have been laid out in paths, and the courtyard has been conerotod.— Sun.