AN ANCIENT DOCUMENT

Te Puke Times, 9 May 1924, Page 3

AN ANCIENT DOCUMENT

"TOA" OF THE ARAWAS The following ancient document. a telegram 50 years old, constituted ore of the foundations for the 'Arawa's claims, which were finally recognised and settled by the Government by the granting of £6OOO per annum to the Arawa Trust Board to be used as they think fit : "New Zealand Telegraph, Wellington, 513 p m., Decern her sth, 1847. — Hon Native Minister, Auckland, No. 345. Re Arawa claims for the ‘Toa’ (loyalty) ; what I have told the Tapsells and the Arawas generally, who assisted in the taking and retaining of Maketu and the country adjacent, that as soon as the claims by ancestry have been disposed of, then the Government would consider the , question of the “Toa." There is no doubt as I have frequently told you, that the "toa" must be recognised. It is a perfectly legitimate claim, much more so than many which for policy’s sake we are obliged to satisfy -Signed, A. T. Clarke. Undersecretary.” . The exploit specially referred to in the document was performed against a large body of the Ngaiterangi. of Tnuranga, who were turbulent and anxious to join the Kingites. Thev were prevented from doing so by the tenacity and bravery' of the Arawas in holding Maketu.