DESTITUTE MAORIS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13682, 26 August 1908, Page 3

DESTITUTE MAORIS.

Per Tress Association.

AUCKLAND, August 25. Tlie topic of public interest at present is destitution ameng the Maori population, consequent upon the statement made in the House by Mr Wilford, M.P. From inquiries made it lias been found that) there are no Maoris on the shores of Lake Itotorua in a state of destitution, but at Monrea Pah on the banks of the Ohau Channel there are several Email families who need assistance. The cause of this is that the men were ■working last year ab the Okere Falls powerhouse extension, bub during the last two months they have had no work to do, and their credit is exhausted- A quantity of potatoes has been sent to them by some of the Rotorua people, but more assistance trill be needed. The crops grown at Mourea last year ■were net very successful, and that may account to some extent for the state of affairs now obtaining. Inquiries made by iDr Buck, the Rev. F. A. Bennett, and !Mr T. Michell, showed that 20 adults had done no work for two or three months and those dependent on them were in straitened circumstances. Tn response to a telegram from the. Rev. F. A. Bennett, Sir Joseph Ward telegraphed on Saturday that he would confer with the Minister for Roads with reference to starting some relief works.