NO GIFT OF LAND

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20002, 29 July 1939, Page 8

NO GIFT OF LAND

PROPOSED MARINE DRIVE MAORIS FAIL TO AGREE (’ENTENNIAL PROJECT (Herald Correspondent.) The proposal to construct a marine drive from Grey street to Young Nicks Head has received a setback by the failure of Maori owners of land along the greater part of the foreshore to reach an agreement regarding the donation of land for the p impose. A meeting of owners of the Paokahu Nos. 1. 2. 3 and 4 blocks, with representatives of the Gisborne Thirty Thousand Club and the Tairawhiti Land Board was held at Manuluke, when the proposal was discussed. The Thirty Thousand Club was represented by 'Messrs. Jas. C’hrisp and A. J. Cox and the Tairawhiti Land Board by Mr. P. Tureia, while (Messrs. K. Kesha and K. Te Hau acted as interpreters. Owners of the Nos. 1 and 4 blocks were agreeable to the granting of the laird for the marine drive, while others gave a definite refusal, some offering to sell the land required to the club. Two Chains of Road Outlining the proposal,, Mr. Chiisp said that it was necessary to have 2ch. of road. The Thirty Thousand Club did not intend to derive any financial benefit from the land, all that was intended being to provide for the drive and to beautify it. He mentioned the desire of the late !Sir James and Lady Carroll to Wave the Waikanae Beach improvements extended, and said that an extension along the entire length of the beach would be a fitting memorial for the centennial year. iMr. Tori Walker, Wairoa, stated that, if the club desired the land he was willing to sell. His ancestors had agreed to a similar proposal, but in later years had regretted their action, as most of their dealings were by verbal agreement only. Benefit to Owners Mr. Tureia stated that those whose sections 'were situated at the mouth of file Waipaoa River would benefit by liie opening of the road. If a decision were reached to the satisfaction of the Thirty Thousand Club, a deed could be drawn up with certain restrictions for the safety of the remaining land and for reference by future generations.