VIEWS OF THE MAORIS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1932, Page 6

VIEWS OF THE MAORIS

TONGARIRO TRADITIONS

Tho following letter bearing on the naming of the Tongariro River as "Upper AVailcato" has been sent to the Prime Minister by the raugatira and member of Ngati-Tuwharetoa, who live in the Lake Taupo and Tongariro districts:— "To the Eight Honourable the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Wellington. "Sir, —We, tho undersigned rangatira and members of Ngati-Tuwharetoa, resident in the Lake Taupo and Tongariro districts, note with great displeasure the movement recently made in certain quarters to have the name of the Tongariro River changed to that of 'Upper Waikato,' and we regard with indignation the action of the Auckland Automobile Association in placing name-boards on the bridge at Turangi with the name 'Upper AVaikato' in bold letters and that of 'Tongariro' in small lettering in parentheses underneath. Within the last few weeks a. map prepared by the Survey Office, Wellington, and published in the 'Evening Post" of 14th November, had tho name 'Upper Waikato' covering a considerable length of the river long known to our people as Tongariro. The least that could have been done by the chief of the Survey Office was to have consulted the tangata-whenua, the people of the land, and ascertained their wishes. This, we understand, is the practice of every local body beforo an important change of name is made, and it is but an act of common courtesy. "The name Tongariro River as applied to the waters flowing from and draining the Tongariro-Ngauruhoe-Rua-pehu Range, the Kaimanawa Range, and Lake Rotoaira, into Taupo Moana on tho north, has been associated from time immemorial with our people, their history, their legends, and their folklore, and we desire emphatically to protest against any change in a name that has, by long and endearing associations, as well as geographical fact, become so firmly established. "We trust, Sir, that as Prime Minister, and a friend of our race, you will do all in your power to prevent this unwarranted change of name, and by so doing you will for all time have the grateful thanks of our people. "Signed by Hoani Te Heuheu, Puataata Te Kerehi (P. A. Grace), Te Pau Mariu, Tapu Paurini, AYerihe Te.Tuiri, Morehu Henry Downs, Takuira Keepa, To Hoka 11. Down, Wahinehira Down, Wiremu Hohepa, Pateriki Te Aue, Rangiita To AVaaka, Wi Rihia, Wi Takirei Poinga, T. AY. Rihia, Ngamane Pukeariki, Pateriki Hura, Hohepa Hoko Patcna, Toha Downs, Heka Hemapo, Te Mare Te Heuheu Moon, Raukawa Te Heuheu, Rihi Te Heuheu, Tiniwaata Hepi, AVairi Te Tuiri. Taipiria Hepi, Hori Kaipara, Renata Tawera, Perenara Hepi, Thomas Hepi, Te Heuheu Tawhiao, Paapu Teihi, Tiuka Tamaira, Morehu Te Toma, Eruora Whatapuhou, Taiahiahi Te Otimi, AV«i Tamaira, Tauri Paora, Runga Tohi Raukura, Peehi Turoa, Te Kuru Hoani, Tawhirau Maniapoto, Duff Maniapoto, Pat. Maniapoto, Hina Mauiapoto, Tai Maniapoto, Patatai Te Hanairo, Haukino Rangiamohia AVhakatihi Tutunui."