ORAKEI MAORIS

Hokitika Guardian, 29 September 1932, Page 5

ORAKEI MAORIS

MODEL VILLAGE SCHEME. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) AUCKLAND, September 23, Proposals for improving the Orakei native settlement were briefly discussed by the Auckland City Council. The .Tamaki Women’s Progressive League wrote advocating the creation of a model Maori village on the site of the present settlement. The league stated that under proper supervision the inhabitants could be given an opportunity to earn a livelihood by working at native arts and crafts. The mayor, Mr G. W, Hutchison moved that the letter be referred to the parks committee. H© said the proposal was in line with his own views, but it had appeared quite early that there was a legal difficulty, in that the natives had sold to the Crown all the 1 village site except a tittle over two acres. He had been in touch with til© Native Department and the Mirtistei 1 of Native Affairs, Apirnna Ngntrt, tipbll the subject, nnd until the* legal position was cleared up lie could not recommend anyone to spend money on any improvement project. ' However, he believed that it would be possible to arrange with the Native Department to give a tenure sufficient for the purpose, the mayor added. The motion was carried.