WHAKATANE MAORIS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19480, 12 November 1937, Page 3

WHAKATANE MAORIS

PLAN FOR BETTER HOUSES REMOVAL OF PA OPPOSED The attitude of the Whakatane Borough Council toward the question of housing for the Maoris was clarified when a report by the works committee was presented at the recent council meeting. At the Octobei meeting of the council a vigorous discussion took place on a suggestion that the Government should be urged 10 promote a housing scheme for Maoris in the vicinity of Lansing road. Whakatane, so that the present shacks in the pa near the centre of fhe town could be done away with and the land used for other purposes. The general feeling of the council was thought to be in favour of this proposal. ! The Maoris resident at the pa toojc strong exception to this scheme and a deputation waited upon the works committee at its last meeting. Speaking for this deputation, Mr. A. O. Stewart said that though the Maoris desired better houses they would oppose moving from the present locality. It was not only a matter for the residents of the oa but for the whole Matatua tribe, he said. He would not detail their reasons at the moment, but they were many and lengthy. An officer of the department had visited the pa and had indicated that improved housing could be looked forward to, but there was no indication of any contemplated change in the pa’s location. J , , The Mayor, Mr. W. Sullivan, told the deputation that when the question came before the council meeting he personally was of the opinion that there was no question of suggesting a change in the pa’s site. He was sure also that the councillors were of the same opinion. The council’s resolution was intended to improve the housing for the Maoris, and he suggested that their discussion had been misrecorded if it were thought that a change in the location of the pa was intended. He assured the deputation that it need have no concern in this connection.