HOROWHENUA LAKE

Chronicle (Levin), 29 April 1946, Page 4

HOROWHENUA LAKE

HECTOR

McDONALD.

Sir, — I see by yom report of the latest meeting of the Levin Borough Council that those most estimable gentlemen are again casting an acquisitive eye on some land adjoining our lovely sheet of water known as HorowhenUa Lake, or, to give it its correct name, Punahau, Their intention I understand, is to beautify it. Incidentally, many years ago the Muaupoko tribe, then owners of the lake and still the owners, made a present of ten acres of land on the eastern shore of the lake to the town of Levin as a reserve and playground. A boating club was then formed, and they erected on the said reserve a boat shed and grandstand, replete with jetty and all. Along with the gift of land was. also given the right to use the lake for boating and whatever acquatic sports the town's residents cared to indulge in. I was there at Te Nguru Nguru when the ceremony of the handing over of the property took place. There was a great holiday. Maori chiefs strutted about in their native finery. Hakas were given by stalwart men of Muaupoko, led by Hopa Heremaia. Speeches were made assuring the Pakehas of the Maoris' friendship, and also pointing out the fact that they, the Pakeha, now had a real interest in. the lake, and would henceforth have unrestricted access to it. The lake, to the Maori, had always been as a mother, because of its Wealth of food and its associations as a refuge in time of danger and adversity. The recipients of this magnificent gift, or at least their spokesmen, said that the gift was a noble gesture. In fact it was as a light on a hill, a beacon, and that it was cementing a friendship that would endure. It endured alright until the land became mortgaged, and the boat-shed, stand and jetty were destroyed. The reserve was then leased to a grazier, who promptly put a chain and padlock on the gate, the locked gate, a symbol of the Pakeha's gratitude. Something like twenty years ago the Horowhenua Drainage Board lowered the lake to help the surrounding farmers. As the water receded the farmers bordering the lake got more grazing area. I have yet to discover a Maori who has been paid anything for the extra land that became available. Even had the Maoris sold the lake, the bed of it would still belong to them when it was- drained, according . to the "Omapere", judgment in a case' of that kind in the f ar north. When ' the outlet of the lake was deepened, the best of the Muaupoko eel l pas were destroyed, namely Karipo, Aramienga and Pukanu, the best of all being Pukahu. The very word means bountiful, and Tuturi, belonging to Te Rangihiwinui, Major..Kemp, that great ' loyal'i'st and saviour of Wanganui. I realise, and every one knows, that we have a very energetic band of gentlemen as our civic fathers, but when they suggest that our Government should forcibly take the land from the Maoris and bes-•t-ow it on the Pakeha, it seems just a little harsh on our Native friends, many of whom haVe just returned from fighting our battles against that kind of treatment of the smaller nations. If the Levin Borough Council wants the land, mrely it would be better to wait until the abbatoirs begin to pay dividerids, which they should soon do if the volume of business keeps lecreasing and the council keeps on increasing the killing chaiges. The council could then go along with some real money, and offer to buy, not confiscate. Still, if it is confiscation, I will have my few shillings on Miriama and Te Kawau a Toru. Yours etc.,

Levin, April 27.