NATIVES AT ORAKEI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 256, 28 October 1937, Page 8

NATIVES AT ORAKEI

FURTHER NEGOTIATIONS MAORIS’ ATTITUDE CHANGES [ Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND. Oct. 27. Further progress was made to-day in the conciliatory negotiations inaugurated on Tuesday by Judge F. O. V. Acheson, of the Native Land Court, with the Maori occupants ol land at Orakei known as the Church Reserve. Accompanied by Mr. W. D. Armit, Commissioner of Crown Lands, and the contractors engaged in the work at Orakei, Judge Acneson made an inspection of the reserve to ascertain the extent of the work to be carried out on the Church Reserve preparatory to the extension of any housing scheme. It was explained to Judge Acheson that it was Intended to join the two main roads now under construction within the confines of the Church Reserve. It was the preparations for this work that the Moaris have .been resisting during the past few wetxs. When the proposals were explained to the natives tney agreed to them pending the negotiations suggsted by Judge Acheson on Tuesday. I'wo of the whares in the reserve are m the line of the proposed roads, but they will be left isolated until the negotiations are concluded. The changed attitude of the natives as a result of Judge Acheson’s counsel on Tuesday was marked by the chant of welcome with which the party was greeted. They were greeted with an ancient chant now rarely heard. After a satisfactory truce nad been settled the visiting party were the guests of the natives at morning tea and the workmen were able to resume their tasks unmolested.