TROUBLE WITH A TANIWHA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1007, 20 June 1911, Page 3

TROUBLE WITH A TANIWHA.

AT HOROWHENUA EAKE. The question of the lowering ot the Horowheuua Lake was discussed at a meeting of the Levin Lake Domain Board on Saturday, when a deputation of citizens waited on that authority.

The Mayor of Levin (Mr Gardener) said it was the native custom years ago to clean out the tol toi and other obstructions. Nothing had been done in the last twenty-live years in this direction, yet millions of extra gallons of water were being carried into the lake from the water races of Levin and district. He favoured getting expert advice on the matter, Mr J. R. McDonald, who was born near the head ot the Horowheuua stream, said that in the early days the chiefs cleaned out the lake every year.

Aparimi Faki said bis tribe was against the lowering ot the lake. It was no use the pakeha trying to lower it in the hope ot getting rid of green scum. The lower the lake went the more the scum would come —it was the excrement of the big tauiwha at the bottom ot the lake.

Major Burliusou moved : “ That the Board, having heard the deputation from the Chamber of Commerce, is of opinion that it has no power to deal with the matter under consideration, and it considers the proper course will be to refer the whole question to the Minister for Rands.” This was seconded by the Mayor, and agreed to.