Problems Of Restoring Fine Maori Church

Chronicle (Levin), 15 September 1948, Page 2

Problems Of Restoring Fine Maori Church

At the condusion of a service conducted by Rev. P. Temuera in the Raukawa meeting huube on Sunday, problems m connection with the restoration and renovation of the Otaki Maori Cnurch were freeiy discussed, aird the preiiminary investigations of _ the various committees were outlined and deliberated on. After listenmg to the various reports, Sir npnana Ngata gave his views, expressmg tne opinion that the tirne was opportune to procee'd with the work. "No buildmg m New Zeadand has a wiaer appeai," said Sir Apirana, "and my advice to Ngatiraukawa is to get on with the job. You must have faith at the start in this task you are about to undertake. The money required is in sight and is sure to come to hand." Continumg, Sir Apirana explamed that local committees had concentrated on arranging finance for the venture, but now p;ans and specifications were the main need. "Expert advice is avaiiabie to you. Take it and hand tne job over to an architect. Do not fiddie about with amateur iabour." The local tribal committee accepted the a'dvice of the speaker and the first step to bring about fuifilment of his wishes was taken on Monday mornmg, when a pane>l, to be used as a pattern, was taken from Rangiatea, r The panei, which towered 20 feet in the air and measure'd 3 ft. 4 ins. across, was the centre of attraction when removed, and those present gazed in awe and wonderment at the construction. Today's descriptive term for it would be "3-piy," the innermost tier being bundles of raupo and the middie tier reeds, while the face consiste'd of strips of totara. There were 20 strips of totara to the foot, making 400 strips used in the one panel removed. As there are 33 panels in all in the churcn, varying in height from 20 to 40 feet, some little idea of the patience and perseverance of the "master craftsmen" who placed them there can be imagined. .The raupo, ree'ds and totary strips are all tightly intertwined with flax, and further strengthened by being bound to supplejack and maire crosspieces. The interior of Rangiatea, consisting as it does of a'lternating reed and wooden panelling, the removal of the panel plainly discloses that the wooden paneds, as they appear at first sight, are notpanels at all, but lofty heart of totara trees, the faces of which have been roughly dressed to give ! the pleasing appearance they possess. "No architect in the world can tell us the methods our ancestors a'dopted." This comment by Sir Apirana Ngata ^certainly found support from those present.