OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 July 1939, Page 3

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

-» MAORI MEMORIAL (To the Editor.) Sir, —Will you kindly through yotn columns, permit us, cn behalf of the Maori people of Otakou, Dunedin, tc bring before the public cur centennial proposal? We desire to erect, a permanent memorial church of brick and concrete to commemorate the estab lishment of the first Christian church in the South Island, of which Otakou was the major part. The present wooden church was erected in the early days upon the conversion to Christianity of the noted chief Taiaroa. Tht building is now in a sad state of decay and beyond repair. The proposal is tc construct the interior of the new church in Maori designs with appropriate carving. We desire to add a transept as a “sanctuary museum” wherein we can place our tribal relics and photos of the chiefs and notable persons of former days. These are now scattered and in danger of being lost. It is worthy of note that Otakou once possessed the largest population, and was, we believe, the most important kaika south of the Waitaki River, and is steeped in Maori history and tradition. The proposed church building will be an asset, not only to the Maori residents, but to the whole of the people of New Zealand as a Native Centennial Memorial. We understand that a great celebration is to take place at Akaroa to celebrate the hoisting of the British flag there on August 11. 1840. We rejoice in this, and at the same time we would point out that the establishment of the first organised Christian Church in the South Island is of very outstanding importance. This commences with the arrival of the Rev. James Watkin who landed at Karitene, then known as Waikouaiti, on May 16, 1840, three months prior to the impor - tant Akaroa event. Another great happening was the signing of the Treaty of Waitfingi by our Maori chiefs, Karetai, Taiaroa and Hoani Weteri Korako, on June, 1840. It is also worthy of note that our chiefs signed the deed of sale whereby the Otago block, for the sum of l}d per acre, passed forever from our hands to the British authorities. For these reasons we Maori people of Otakou feel we are justified in making this Centennial appeal. The Memorial Church will not only be a building for divine worship, but a sacred shrine to contain our much valued tribal relics. The Women’s Division also has an object in view, viz., the erection of a memorial arch as an entrance to the Maori reserve.

No doubt there are people in your city and district who have links of connection with Otakou, and possibly many others who will be interested and would desire to help us. We feel that our project ought to commend itself to the public generally, and we therefore make an appeal for generous support. All contributions may be sent to our Secretary and Treasurer, the Rev T. A. Pybus, Maia, Dunedin, N.E.2. We are, etc, Yours sincerely,

TEOTI TIMOTI KARETAI, TE IWI ERIHANA (Ellison). Dunedin, June 30.