NECESSITOUS MAORIS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 430, 29 August 1908, Page 4

NECESSITOUS MAORIS.

Inquiry made by a resident of Rotorua as to the statements being made that some ot the Maoris resident around Rotorua are in need, has resulted in his being convinced that there is ground for the statements, says the Hot Rakes Chronicle. The cause of the present poverty of the Maori is due to the fact that in consequence of the completion of the drainage and waterworks, many of the men have been thrown out of work, and have been unable to procure work elsewhere. The Rev. F. A. Bennett and Mr Tai Mitchell, who are taking a keen interest in the present condition of some of the Maoris, intend during the next three or four days to make a searching inquiry into the whole matter. In the meantime, that the necessities of those who are really in want may be relieved, contributions of bags of potatoes have been made by the following, and we are prepared to receive and publish the donations of others who may care to assist in this good work : H. R. McDonald, Kepa Ehau, R. B. T. Miller, Tai Mitchell, D. Gardner, Rev. F. A. Bennett. The attendance at one of the Native Schools in the district has lately decreased very much, and on the teacher making enquiry as to the non-attendance of the children, he was informed by the parents that the children had to be employed in procuring food, hence their inability to attend school. It is evident there is some distress existing, and we feel sure the benevolently-inclined will certainly see to it that none go hungry, at any rate.