G.—7

In addition to the above two main items, various features of a purely ornamental character should be introduced into the villages to assist in restoring the old-time Maori atmosphere. At Whakarewarewa the entrance to the village should be entirely remodelled on the lines of a pre-European village. A carved gateway, or ivaharoa, should be erected on the town side of the bridge, with flanking lines of typical Maori defensive palisading with carved posts at appropriate intervals. Storehouses, carved or otherwise, set on piles should be erected on approved sites. The painted canoe monument, or tiki, the small sacred storehouse set on a single tall support, and other features of this type could be introduced with great effect. In the Maori portion of Whakarewarewa Reserve some typical old-type Maori houses with thatched walls and roofs could be built to attract visitors and students interested in the study of Maori life. On occasions the art and crafts of weaving, plaiting, cooking, &c., could be demonstrated in its proper setting. A school of Maori art, where particular attention is paid to carving, should be encouraged, and, if established, should be located in one of the villages, where it would form a unique feature of attraction. The model Maori pa in the Government Reserve at Whakarewarewa, whilst of great interest, contains several anomalies. The high watch-tower is stayed in position with wire ; the thatched roofs of some of the houses are also kept on with wire. European material is in evidence in other ways, so that the purely Maori character of the village is not maintained. Repairs are needed. Unless the pa is completely renovated and kept in constant repair, the characteristic features of the pa would be shown to better advantage by incorporating them in an improvement scheme for the Village of Whakarewarewa on the general lines indicated above. It would add to the restoration of typical Maori conditions if the guides at Whakarewarewa wore Maori costume whilst on duty. Guides are at present licensed by the Tourist Department. We recommend that the licenses be issued subject to the above being carried out in a suitable manner. Summary of Recommendations. We recommend the following:— (1.) A more rigid and frequent inspection of villages should be made in the interests of health. (2.) A detail survey be put in hand of the two villages, with a view to designing sewerage schemes and ascertaining the number of buildings to be removed or modified. (3.) A survey and layout be made of the area of the land at the rear of Whakarewarewa Village, to permit of buildings being erected to relieve the congestion in the present village, and that the immediate construction of the access road be put in hand. (4.) The preparation of plans of the areas remodelled on town-planning lines. (5.) That typical plans of dwellings be prepared. (6.) The removal of the present tea-rooms on the Government Reserve, Whakarewarewa. (7.) Planting of native trees and shrubs. (8.) The demolition of certain buildings on the Marine Parade at Ohinemutu, and the conversion of portion of this space into a parkingplace for cars. (9.) The construction of a road along the waterfront at Ohinemutu from the Marine Parade to the reserve at the back of the church, and the beautification of said reserve by tree-planting. (10.) The improvement of the entrance to Whakarewarewa by removal of the present unsightly buildings, and the provision of suitable entrance gates. We realize that all of the above proposals are impossible of immediate fulfilment, but would suggest that the first four be dealt with at once ; Nos. 5, 8, and 10

2 —Gr. 7.

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