RATANA TEMPLE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3607, 1 March 1927, Page 3

RATANA TEMPLE

ARCHITECT CLAIMS DAMAGES. Wanganui, February 26. Clifford Newton Hood, an architect, of Wanganui, sued Katana and Peter Moko in the Supreme Court yesterday for £250 damages, being the cost of the plans which were drawn up for the Ratana Temple, but which were not used in their entirely,' but allegedly used as the basis for another plan drawn up by a Maori named Piko. Tlie temple was eventually built by the Ratanaites. After hearing exhaustive evidence, Mr. Justice McGregor stated that there was no doubt that there had been some agreement between plaintiff and the defendants, for the drawing of the plans, and it was also clear that the plans had been incorporated" to a certain degree in Piko’s plan. He was not satisfied that Hood was entitled to the full claim. Judgment was given for £l3O. , James Patterson, a building contractor, stated that the temple, as erected by the Maoris, was like a hippodrome, and the first good storm or earthquake would smash it. THE CHURCH PRESIDENCY. . When Ratana resigned the presidency of the Ratana Church shortly after the opening, of the new Temple, (says th« Wanganui Herald), it was predicted than an exAnglican minister, who has linked up with the movement, would he elected as his successor. A member intimately connected with the minor workings of flic movement states 'that the Maoris will not elect any one in the place of Ratana, and, further, that they will not accept his resignation; so ■he will have to carry on as usual. He adds that the movement is now more closely cemented together than ever, as a- result of deliberation at the big gathering. Hitherto it had been run mainly by the elderly Maori people, but now they have taken some of the younger men into the executive ranks and more are to follow, and this will materially help to keep the movement flourishing.