ROTORUA HISTORY

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 290, 5 September 1942, Page 8

ROTORUA HISTORY

Sacrifices Made By Maoris

ROTORUA, September 4.

“The long-range planning provisions of the Ngati-Whakaue tribe will, I believe, make Rotorua one of the largest and most popular inland cities of the Dominion in future years,” said Mr. 11. Tai Mitchell, C.M.G., when addressing the Rotorua Rotary Club on the development of the town. It had the opportunity of 'becoming a garden city, he said, and much of the credit for its potentialities was due to the NgatiWhakaue tribe, which had made many sacrifices to facilitate the establishment of the town. “In 1880, just after the Maori wars/ said Mr. Mitchell, "the Government, recognizing the popularity the thermal district was acquiring, opened negotiations with the people of Ohlnemutu village for the establishment of a township. Real Sacrifice Made. “Chief Judge Fenton was sent to confer with the tribal chiefs who agreed to- co-operate, but laid down certain clauses which were to lie upheld by both parties. On February 28, 1882, a title to the township of Rotorua was issued.”

An area was set aside by the tribe for parks, recreational reserves and educational endowments. This included the Kuirau Reserve, T’ukeroa Hill, including the primary school and teacher’s residence, the Government gardens, the Marine Parade and the Arikikapakapa reserve. “It. ■was a real sacrifice for the Maoris to relinquish Pukeroa Hill,” said Mr. Mitchell, “for, in addition to it being their burial ground, it was also the home of their god of disaster.” As educational endowments there were five blocks, extending from the lake edge at the foot of Amohia Street to the county chambers, including GO sections and bringing in £l2OO annually for the benefit of the children. It was probably the only high school in New Zealand which had a private source of income.

“It was due to the foresight of the Ngati-Whakaue tribe that such an asset as the town of Rotorua has come into being,” stated Mr. Mitchell. “Whatever happens we should never forget the groat gifts bestowed by the tribe. The town should exist as a basis of friendly relations between .Maori-'and pakeha.”