MAORI SETTLERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17949, 29 November 1932, Page 6

MAORI SETTLERS

VICEREGAL INTEREST SILVER CUP DONATED ANNUAL COMPETITION (ParllanioiiUiry Reporter.) WELLINGTON, this day. To commemorate his visit to lands in course of development by Maori settlers under various native development schemes organised in the Rotorua and Bay of Plenty districts, Lord Bledisloe lias donated a silver cup to be known as the Ahmvhcnua, or “Son-of-tlie-Soil” trophy, and lias provided an endowment fund for annual prizes to bo competed for by Maori farmers and settlers on native land development schemes. “The sympathetic interest shown by His Excellency in the efforts of the Maoris to develop their land, and so assist the whole of the. Dominion, is widely appreciated by the native race,’ said Sir Apirana Ngata to-day. “I feel sure that this further token of His Excellency’s interest will stimulate and encourage native landholders to become efficient farmers.” Conditions governing the trophy have been drawn up by Sir Apirana and approved by His Excellency. The trophy is a national one. although it was first intended that it should he confined to land in the Waiariki district. Howevfer, in the first year the, contest is limited to Maoris from that district. Maori farmers occupying land under a, native land development scheme are entitled to compete, and the competition shall be judged on the basis of good husbandry, economy of management with a view to commercial profit, the cleanliness and neatness of the holding, and the progress made by the fanner in developing the holding, having regard to its condition, when lie first occupied it and the advantages he has enjoyed in the matter of. finance, the supply of the necessary implements, seed, and fertiliser, or other assistance, both prior to and during! the occupancy of the holding. The trophy is to be held by the winner for one year only, and the winner shall not be entitled to compete again for three years. Ills Excellency has given .£IOO as an endowment to provide a large silver medal for the first prize, a large bronze medal as a second prize, and certificates of merit to the winner of the first, second, third, and, in the discretion of the Native Minister, fourth prizes.