“INSULT TO NAVIGATOR”

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19397, 7 August 1937, Page 4

“INSULT TO NAVIGATOR”

PROPOSED NAME CHANGE OPINION ON THE COAST UNJ.Q UE OPPOIITUNIT Y Great interest is being taken on the Coast regarding the proposal to change ihe name ot Poverty Bay to someming more in keeping with the prosperous nature ot the district. Opinion there is not altogether favourable to the Gisborne agnation to obliterate the name ot “Poverty, and the Maori community particularly resents any suggestion that an alteration should be made. “It would be an insult to the great navigator to change the name,’ stated a member of the native race at Ruatona during tne weelt. "Even if the district was named after Captain Cook himself and called Cook Bay, 1 think it would still be an insult to him.’’

It was also suggested that the name of "Poverty'’ presented great possibilities in advertising the district. The judicious use of the name alongside ugures representing the true wealth ol the district would give “Poverty” an entirely different meaning, and the very name would attract widespread attention if presented in an interesting or novel manner.

A catch phrase such people share an income of £3,000,006 to £4,000,000 a year from farming in misnamed Poverty Bay,” was suggested as something that should be circulated as widely as possible. If that were done, it \vas maintained, the name of "Poverty” no longer would 'nave the sinister meaning it has now.