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The Chairman: The Commission cannot suggest this. All we have to do is to report to the Government, and make certain recommendations. Wi Kingi Atetini: We suggest that in place of the old houses be erected, and the repayment of the money advanced to build these houses be extended over a long term no interest to be charged. I hope that the Commission will appoint some members of the Arawa Trust Board as a link between the Government and the Maoris, to carry this scheme into effect. Mr. Mitchell: Mr. Chairman, may I suggest that, as this is the first time those present have heard the full order of reference read, that they set up a representative committee, and reduce to writing the ideas and suggestions of the tribe as to the form the improvements should take. The Chairman: Yes. Kepa Ehau : Welcome, welcome ! The elders have already welcomed you : let that suffice. We were rather surprised when the clerk read out the powers you have. You have such we have hardly any time to give the matter our consideration. I am in accord with the suggestion made by Mr. Mitchell regarding the forming of a committee. In my opinion I think it a better course, because if we remain as we are, and each person voices his opinion, it will be some time before we come to a conclusion; and I think that we ought to form a committee, and when matters are considered we will place them before you in writing. The Chairman: I think that is a good suggestion. Kepa Ehau : Since you have agreed that we form this small committee, we would like that Mr. Mitchell, should he be free, to become a member, and at the same time we would also like Dr. Buck, so that we could place our matters before them. The Chairman: It is hardly possible for Mr. Mitchell and Dr. Buck to do that. Kepa Ehau: The sooner the committee meets the sooner we will consider the matter. The Chairman: The Commission is entirely sympathetic with the Maoris. What we would like to do is to improve your villages. Kepa Ehau: Would you allow Jus time to have a meeting ? The Chairman: Could the committee meet to-night and see the Commission to-morrow night ? Kepa Ehau: Yes, the committee will meet to-night and furnish you with its report accordingly. The Chairman: This Commission will now adjourn till 2 p.m., at the Native Land Court House. Native Land Court House, 2 p.m. Present: The same. Mr. Hill: I would like to supplement my evidence of this morning by addition of a fewjines : That the Arawa Trust Board should be given power, if they do not already possess it, to make advances on long-dated loans, somewhat on the principle of advances to workers. The Chairman: I would like to hear if the borough has any suggestion to make. G. Steel, Councillor, Rotorua, examined. Witness: I take it, sir, a practical suggestion for the general improvement of the villages ? The Chairman: Yes. Witness : Well, there is one thing which I consider <411 of place now established in Whakarewarewa, and that is those small shops across the bridge. I do not think they in any way improve the locality —-in fact, they are an eyesore to the public. The Chairman.] How long have they been up, Mr. Steele ?—I do not know. They have been there many years. Does the borough receive all plans of shops ? However, I will get the information from the Town Clerk later. Witness: Personally, another thing that Ido not think improves the Whakarewarewa Village is the tea-kiosk which was erected about eighteen months ago. The Chairman: That is on Crown land. Dr. Buck: That is outside the village. Witness: That is so. Personally, I should like to see the old Maori elevation maintained if possible, but that will mean extra expense in the construction of buildings—and at the present date house-building is controlled mainly by the capital available to the owners. Ido not see how we could continue, unless we are prepared to contribute. The Chairman.] And the borough ? —Well, some responsible body. With reference to the remodelling of the villages, you are up against a very hard proposition there, sir, owing to the fact that the existing houses are on ground which is handed down from generation to generation, as it were, and the personal element would have to be considered. No doubt the Native Land Court in the past has had a very difficult proposition in this respect. Personally, of course, this matter is pressing to my mind, but I cannot see any easy method of getting over it without remodelling. You have the present element of old traditions to fight against, and also the Maori idea of sacred places, which has a strong influence on the land they occupy or otherwise. Will the borough accept any responsibility with respect to improving the conditions generally within the pas ? —Yes, in sanitation. How far does the borough go in respect to sanitation ?•—Nightsoil is removed, sir, and a certain amount of rubbish, that is all. Neither of these villages is connected with the town sewerage system. The Tourist Department has had the water laid on to both the villages. What steps do you take in the disposal of rubbish ?—For each of the townships we have had a caretaker appointed to look after the conditions of the village. He is under the personal supervision of the Committee Marae, and is paid by the borough.

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