THE NAME EDGECUMBE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 65, 11 August 1947, Page 5

THE NAME EDGECUMBE

GEOGRAPHIC BOARD’S STAND MAORI NAME UPHELD * The recent discovery that as far back as 1934, the N.Z. Geographical Board had decided to alter the name of Mount Edgecumbe to Putauaki, has caused a considerable stir, and the efforts of the County Council to have the decision reviewed have aroused a wide interest in this district, where it is contended that any alteration after one hundred years of common usage would lead to needless confusion.

In response to a letter from Mr B. Sladden, of Ohope, a noted student of the early history of these parts, the secretary of the Board, Mr G. S. Wood, states that the matter was placed before the Board together with that from the County Council.

“After due consideration,” states the letter, “it was decided to uphold the Honorary Board’s decision that the name should be Putauaki (Edgecumbe). The Board took into consideration the great interest and everyday significance of the name ‘Putauaki’ to the Maori people and the probability that had Cook known of its Maori name he would never have given it an English one. The name Edgecumbe, will not of course be discarded and will ho doubt be the name still used by the majority of Europeans. Your historical notes on this name have been noted and will be recorded for future reference.”