MAORI GUEST HOUSE AS WAR MEMORIAL

Chronicle (Levin), 11 March 1947, Page 2

MAORI GUEST HOUSE AS WAR MEMORIAL

Following resolutions passed in Mav, 1940, it is the intention 'of the Maoris | in the Manawata district to estal)lisli a Maori Battalion -Meniofial Givest House in Palmerston North so that, visitors to Palmerston North for a day or two would have some special place to stay. With the acconimodation position acute, facilities for lodging Maoris are recognised as a vital necessity. Kepresented by the Ngati-Raukavva oxecutive eommittee, Maoris residing in the district 1 etween the Waikanae ! stream in the south and Kakariki in the north, have for some time now j been aeeuinulating funds for this pro- 1 ject, and up to dale have in hand ap- j proximately £800. The objective is £2000, which will carry a pound for pound subsidy. The guest house, besides providing lodging accommodatiou for approximatelv 12 persons per niglit, will also have a memorial liall foi c.hurch meetings and other ceremonies. The hall will house a suitable ''Roll of Honour" of members of the Maori Battalion from Palmerston North and district. It is intended, in the near future, to ljold a concert in Palmerston North at which the combined entertainers from the 12 sub-tribal areas in the district will take part. It is also proposed shortly to issue to bona iide collectors official collecting lists signed by the secretary, treasurer and chairman of the local eommittee.