EFFORTS TO IMPROVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 52, 29 February 1944, Page 5

EFFORTS TO IMPROVE

THE TOWN PAH SITE

BUS r XESSM EXS DIVSCIUSSI ON Once again the local Maori Pah site which is situated at the town's back door came in for vigorous discussion at the meeting of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce last week. The upshot of a fairly lengthy debute was that the whole question was referred to Mr W. Sullivan, M.P., urging that he take the matter up with the requisite de,p)artmfenit in an effort to imiprove the standard of the Maori dwellings.

"We don't want to take up tha~ attitude of the Auckland City Coun-r eil with regard to Oraki," said Mr Reeve Canning when introducing the subject, "but we do think that the places should lie improved so that the Maoris themselves will take a greater pride, in them." Mr Joe Crcekc pointed out that the involved matter of titles was invested in the Native Land Court alone and lie knew that Judge Har-» vcy would not consider any transfer. He understood that already a plaa had, been made out ior the building of better homes.. Mr Kingsley-Smith urged that the Chamber would never get anywhere without first doing something to» help itself. He suggested that Mr A. O. Stewart he contacted to draw up» (at a suitable remuneration) a scfiS 6 * dule of titles to the sections in aa effort to consolidate the ownership. If this were done it would pave the way to early improvements slong. defined lines. Mr 11. Canning then moved thati the matter be referred to Mr W. Sullivan to contact the Maori mem-* ber for the district in order to have something done. This course was agreed to.