MAORIS OBJECT STRONGLY TO A HEADS QUARRY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 46, 3 October 1949, Page 5

MAORIS OBJECT STRONGLY TO A HEADS QUARRY

A strong objection to the proposal to take a portion of Maori owned land at the Heads, Whakatane, for a quarry was made by a deputation of Maoris who waited on the Whakatane Harbour Board on Friday. After hearing the deputation of ten the Board decided to suggest to owners that they would be willing to exchange the whole of the present quarry site for any approved land of equal value, which the Maori owners may have.

Because of their inability to place their objections clearly in English the deputation spoke in Maori and this was translated for the Board’s benefit.

Mr E. Eruera strongly objected to the land being taken by the Board because the land was granted origiinally to the people as a place to live for Maoris out of the district coming to the coast to fish. Some land had already been taken. But apart from this it was desired as a building site. Land Taken Previously

This is not the only land that had been taken. Previously the Crown had taken a portion of land at the present Public "Works Depot. He appealed to the Board to find another position for a quarry.

The land to be taken was a building site and a building permit had already been issued for a house, Mr J. Lawson, secretary of the local Maori Tribal Committee, pointed out. The section was wanted for a home and a modern house was envisaged to be built through the Maori Housing Department, said Mr M. McGarvey, speaking on behalf of his wife. He said the family had already lost land through the Public Works Act and he did not see why it should be put across again. If the Board was to proceed with its intention the Maori people affected intended to fight the whole scheme. Mr Boon pointed out that the Harbour Board had not had anything to do with taking any- previous land. It was intended to take the land as a supply of rubble for reclamation. No blasting was intended, the Board had given its word on that point.

| But future public bodies might not j think, so. They did not have to foli low the wishes of previous Boards, j said Mr McGarvey. j Mr Boon agreed but he said the ■ Board had given its word and it j was most unlikely that it would not be kept in the future. “We Will Oppose You”

Mr McGarvey: We will oppose you if you try and take it and fight to the end. If you win then good luck to you. Mr W. Hunter asked the deputation if they could suggest any other land that could be used by ; the Board.

| Mr Lawson pointed out that there was some land on the seaward side of the harbourmaster’s residence, which should prove suitable. It was already owned by the Board and if rubble was removed it would greatly improve the area.