WAITANGI SITE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 December 1932, Page 5

WAITANGI SITE

GENEROUS OFFER

MADE BY THEIR EXCELLENCIES. (Per Press Association Copyright.) WELLINGTON* December 9. The Waitangi National Trust Board Bril was passed by .the House of Representatives and Legislative Council yesterday. * Tributes were paid to the generosity of Their Excellencies in presenting the estate to th© Nation. The Premier, Mr G. W. Forbes, announced that Their Excellencies had made two further generous offers. He said: “In view of the urgent necessity of putting in Hand the rehabilitation of the historic premises, and in order to remove anxiety relative to the financial position of the trust at its inception, Their Excellencies have submitted the following proposals to the Government: —- (1) The balanc© of the land (of an area of 1300 acres), forming part of the old Waitangi Estate, situate in its “hinterland” and not included in their gift, may be vested by Their Excellencies, under shpahat© deed of gift, in the Government with a view to rendering it immediately available for afforestation under a 999 years’ lease at a peppercorn rent, such work of afforestation to be put in hand >at the earliest (possible moment; the ultimate net revenue from this property whether under timber or not, to be shared in equal parts by the Government and the Waitangi .Trust; and

“(2) The rehabilitation of fhe Treaty house and its immediate surroundings, to he provided for by a Waitangi renovation fund in the hands of the trustees, to which the public shall be invited to contribute, and to which Their Excellencies have signified their readiness to contribute the sum of £IOOO, spread over two yebrs. “These proposals have recently received the consideration of Cabinet, and the Government has decided to accept most gratefully both of these additional offers on the part of Their Excellencies. Government have agreed to make a grant of £ooo from the consolidated funds for the purpose of renovating the buildings, fences etc. One half of this amount is being made available this financial year. The Government in addition propose to arrange for unemployment funds to be expended in cleaning the land, and on other works which may be .required, and fop this purpose it is intended to establish an uemploymet relief camp, in the locality.”