MAORI DWELLINGS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22986, 15 September 1936, Page 6

MAORI DWELLINGS

UNIFORM TYPE SUGGESTED MINISTER APPROVES OF IDEA (Per United Press Association) ROTORUA, Sept. 14 A suggestion that steps should be taken to adopt a uniform type of Maori dwelling in the Maori villages at Ohinemutu and Whakarewarewa was made by the Mayor of Rotorua (Mr T. Jackson) in the course of a deputation from the Rotorua Borough Council which waited on the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr W. E. Parry) to-day. Mr Jackson pointed out that at present the provisions of the, Town Planning Act could not be applied either to Crown land or to Native land and that therefore the hands of the council in devising a suitable town planning scheme for the borough of Rotorua were tied. He suggested that amendments should be made to the Act empowering the council to ensure that only suitable types of dwellings were erected in the two Native villages included within the boundaries of the borough. The Minister said that he thoroughly approved of the idea. The Native Minister (Mr Savage) and the Government were particularly anxious to preserve the Native atmosphere and he could therefore assure the council that everything possible would be done to carry out its suggestions, He considered that the Natives themselves should design a suitable type of Maori house incorporating a Maori design and that every effort should be used to remodel the villages on lines which would preserve Maori crafts and culture. He promised that as chairman of the Town Planning Board he would place • the suggestions before the board on his return to Wellington and have a report upon the matter prepared and submitted to the Government.