How many more years?

Mana (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 8, 13 October 1977, Page 3

How many more years?

by

Joe Saepelu

The Bastion Point issue has brought another point into view, in which the local bodies have been surprised. In this case, investigations through the City Parks Officer, Mr Peter Hubbers, shows that the Okahu Bay Bowling Club has no legal lease, license or agreement allowing them on the

reserve. The greens were laid down in 1953 under council supervision according to Parks Officer, Mr Hubbers. This issue was brought to light when the Okahu Bay Bowling Club had asked the Auckland City Council for permission to build a Caretaker’s cottage near the bowling greens. It’s believed the bowling green may stand on former Maori land taken for housing. They are unlikely to be evicted because the Parks Committee has recommended that Council ask Mr Young, Minister of Lands, for permission to grant the bowling club a lease over the reserve land for not more than 33 years. This issue yet again shows the validity of the claims of

the Ngati-Whatua people, in which their land that had been taken for housing has been used for recreational purposes by the palagi (pakeha) people.

Joe Hawke, leader of the Bastion Point protesters commented that they will be doing more research into this matter.