MAORI OBJECTOR

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 60, 30 March 1943, Page 5

MAORI OBJECTOR

COUNTY COUNCIL SITS UP

CR BURT AS INTERPRETER'

When Ramanui Maramarua sole objector to the taking of landl from h'is property in order to make for greater safety on a main road corner at Te Teko appe'ared before the County Council in exercise of his rights as a ratepayer, the Council was momentarily thrown off its balance when the one man deputation said he" could not understand' English. Cr Burt however stepped manfully into-the breach and while his; fellow councillors looked on admiringly proceeded with a lengthy interrogation. Ramanui however seemed strongly averse to being parted Avith any of his land even Avhcn assured of compensation. What about the hundreds of other corners in the country which Avcre Avorsc than his, heasked (A'klc Cr Burt's A r ocal attributes) . 'What about, if he lcept the hedge cut all the time.' He Avanted to build a house there to live; in. How much Avas the compensation going to be at any rate. "Tell him that will he fixed by the Native Court," said the clerk hopefully. "Tell him that it will improA'e his house site.'" FolloAA T ed a further long caucas between the man from Ma tat a and Ramanui. There was only a question of appropriating 1 rood 21 perches, but this did not seem to matter to the objector Avho said his .son did not mind the make-over but he did. At the end of a particularly long exchange in voluable Maori and much gesticulation Cr Burt emerged dishcA r clled but Avith some jjic.de of information firmly in his: grip. "He says lie's come a long A\ r ay today and its cost, him money. He says what about it? "Ask liim how far he's come from?" said the chairman. Another five minutes sinoko and then the jjiecci-de-resistance. "From Paeroa" said Cr Burt to astonishment of all hands. "Ask him avlio's on the farm at Te Teko then,'' Aentured the chairman.. 'His son is," said Cr Burt loosening his collar. "Ah," said the County Clerk, "you tell him to send his: son in next time and.Ave'll fix up Avith him."' Cr Burt gracefully submerged himself again but Ramanui beat him to it, and Avhen he had. finished, in perfectly good English, he*, grouted out. "My son, no good. I:f IS sfend him in. He no put up a good fight" at all." Collapse of Council and dignified 1 ? retirement of Ramanui.