MODEL MAORI VILLAGES

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 57, 4 September 1926, Page 7

MODEL MAORI VILLAGES

OHINEMURI AND WHAKAREWA

REWA

PLANS FOR IMPROVEMENT.

The report of the Commission which was set up in May-last,, consisting of Messrs, C. J. M'Kenzie, of the Public Works Department; R. B. Hammond, town-planning consultant, J. T. Mair, Government 'Architect, H. T. Mitchell, surveyor, and Dr. P. H. Buck, Director of Maori Hygiene, to inquire into the necessity or advisability ot establishing model Maori villages at Ohmemutu and Whakarewarewa, Botorua was presented in the House of Representatives yesterday. The Commission was also instructed to report upon the erection and construction of suitable dwelling houses and other buildings, embodying distinctive characteristics and Maori art and architecture and in harmony with the scenic attractions of the localities and the requirements of public health, etc. The Commission summaries its recommendations as follows:— % (1) A niore rigid and frequent inspection of villages should be made in the interests of health. (2) A detail survey be put in hand in the two villages with a view to designing sewerage schemes, and ascertaining the number of buildings to be removed or modified. I • (3) A survey and layout be made of the area of the land at. the rear of Whakarewarewa Village to permit of buildings being erected to relieve the cogestion in the present village, and that the immediate construction of the access road be put in hand. ■ (4) The preparation of plans of the areas remodelled on town-planning lines. (5) That typical plans of dwellings be prepared. (6) The removal of the present tea rooms on the Government reserve at Whakarewarewa. (7) Planting of native trees and shrubs. (8) The demolition of certain buildings on the Marine parade at Ohinemutu and the conversion of portion of this space into a parking space for cars. (9) The construction of a road along the waterfront at Ohinemutu from the Marine parade to the reserve at the back of the church, and the beautification of the reserve by tree planting. (10) The improvement of the entrance to Whakarewarewa by removal of the present unsightly buildings, and the provision of suitable entrance gates.