HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 53, Issue 3800, 26 August 1936, Page 4

HISTORICAL SOCIETY

EARLY HISTORY OF HAIRINI. A meeting of Te Awamutu Historical Society was held in Mr J. G. B. Gifford’s rooms last evening, when Mr J. Oliphant presided over a fair attendance. The early history of Hairini was ably dealt with by Mr F. J. Bertram, wfen had spent the early days in the district. The speaker illustrated his remarks with a plan of the district, and mentioned several of the original Crown grant holders and the Forest Rangers, particularly the members of Jackson’s Forest Rangers, who captured the flag now reposing in the Auckland Public Library. After the address several! 'other members who had lived in Hairini in the early days also gave details of the district’s early history. Mr Raureti Te Huia gave a very interesting account of the construction of the Otawhao pa, near Te Awamutu. It was decided to co-operate with the Mayor in an expedition up the dopes of Kakepuku mountain at a date to be arranged. The Maori pits and earthworks oj» the mountain will be inspected by the expeditionary party. Records dealing with meetings held at Kihikihi in connection, with the Jubilee of King George I T. were received by the Society, and were set aside for recording purposes. Many Maori relics that had been discovered recently were also received by the Society.