TRIBUTE PAID

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 14 March 1939, Page 2

TRIBUTE PAID

MAORI HOUSES AT MOHAKA HON. F. LANGSTONE'S VISIT (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA, this clay. A tribute to the Maoris in their methods of farming and to the Maori women who were looking after the houses was paid by the Hon. F. Langstone. Minister of Lands,''when he made a tour of inspection of the Kahungunu and Mohaka native land development schemes. The Minister inspected houses of the average type, four-room dwellings with bathroom and hot and cold water supply, which had been erected by Maori labour. • "There is evidence of what is being done," stated' Mr. Langstone when referring to the native houses all built by Maori labour under the supervision, of a European. "Given an opportunity," added 1 the Minister, "and they respond. They justify themselves and prove competent tradesmen. The improving of the houses- and the teaching of the Maori wife home science and cleanliness is one of the foundation things the Government wants to do to prevent disease among the natives," The , inspection clearly revealed the contrast between the old home- with clay floor, lack of ventilation, a'rrti" insufficient room and that of the modern houses erected by Maori labour with plenty of room, hot and cold water, and bathroom. The erection, plumbing, brick chimneys and every item in the house .was built by the Maoris, which, added the- Minister,' was a credit to them.'