EAST COAST RAILWAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5461, 14 August 1929, Page 4

EAST COAST RAILWAY

CONFUSION OF NAMES. MINISTER’S REPLY. The question of the names of two stations on the East Coast railway being much alike which was brought by Mr C. E. Macmillan, M.P., to the notice of the Minister of Railways, the Hon. W. E. Taverner, at Paeroa on June 7, and reported in the issue of June 12 of this paper, has now elicited the following reply from the Minister :—

“With a view to finding a distinctive name, which at the same time might have same geographical or historical interest, inquiries were made in the locality, two names being suggested, “Hapara,” the name of the land in which Otaimatua station stands, and “Koromai,” the latter being a composite word. The name “Hapara” would not be suitable owing to there being a post office named “Te Hapara” in the Gisborne district. “Romai” is the name of a former chief, but as this name is similar to “Homai” (a station near Auckland), it would not be suitable in its present form. It has been suggested, however, that the adding of the prefix “Ko” (indicating “big”) to the word “Romai,” thus—“Koromai,” the big chief “Romai,” would meet the position.

“It is therefore considered that “Koromai” is the most suitable name, but before placing the matter before the Geographic Board for consideration I shall be glad if you will advise me whether the proposal has the concurrence of the persons interested. In this connection I would point out that the Tauranga Co-operative Dairy Association, Taurarga has requested the general manager to change the name of “Otaimatua” station to “Keri Keri.” As, however, “Keri Keri” is the name of a township on the Keri Keri Inlet, North Auckland, this name would not be suitable.”

When he mentioned the subject to the Minister at Paeroa Mr Macmillan’s suggestion was to change Oteaimatua to M'aungatawa. In view, however, of the above letter, the “Bay of Plenty Times” now states that the member for Tauranga has requested that anyone interested in the matter should communicate with him at Wellington indicating whether the proposed name is acceptable, or submitting any other name which might be thought preferable.