WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 47, 30 June 1947, Page 5

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

EDGECUMBE OR PUTAUAKI CHANGE NOT FAVOURED The Whakatane County Council is not in favour of a proposal of the Geographic Board that the name of Mount Edgecumbe be superseded by the Maori name of Putauaki. Recently the finance committee of the council considered a letter from Mr B. Sladden, of Ohope, advising that in an accompanying reprint of the Polynesian Society 1934, it would be seen that the Honorary Geographic Board had decided that the name Edgecumbe as applied to Mt. Edgecumbe is to be superseded by the Maori name of Putauaki, and the official name in maps is to be shown Putauaki followed by Captain Cook’s name, Edgecumbe in bracketc. “The retention of Maori names generally is to be commended,” wrote Mr Sladden, “but in this case

it would be difficult for the public to discard a name so long established and on account of its historical significance it does not; seem advisable that the name Edgecumbe should be dropped. It is proposed to take the matter up with the Honorary Geographic Board and perhaps the council would be prepared to give its support to representations made in this connection.” The council resolved that Mr Sladden be thanked for his letter and that supporting representations be made to the authorities accordingly. Cr W. A. McCracken said that people in the district would still call the mountain Edgecumbe even if the change of name was adopted on maps.

Other councillors agreed that it was late now to change the name. A suggestion was made by Cr McCracken that some road near the mountain might be called Putauaki Road. There was already a Putauaki survey block on the maps. “I am certain that you will never alter the name of Mount Edgecumbe,” declared Cr McCracken.