MAORI CHURCH COMMITTEE.

Otaki Mail, 8 March 1922, Page 3

MAORI CHURCH COMMITTEE.

SOME IMPORTANT PROPOSALS. A meeting of the committee was held last week-end. The following members were present: Messrs T. Rikihana (chairman), Iv. Hawea, 11. Ranapiri, U. 1 (ain't a. and R. Carkeek (secretary). Messrs P. Tnhiwi and W. Rei were unable to bo present. A number of other natives also attended the meeting-. Mr Carkeek reported that most satisfactory progress in connection with the work of painting the church was being carried out by Mr W. Lonnie and his assistant, and that the job would be completed towards the end of next week. The funds as they stood at present would .see the work through, leaving a balance of £l-t Is 9d. Additional work in the matter of rejrairs had to be carried out just prior to, and whilst the painting was in progress, and until the accounts for these had been rendered their outstanding liabilities could not be exactly estimated, but he believed the committee would be just within its means. However, the. committee could still make further efforts to place their finances on a sound footing again. J'he chairman pointed out that it was

gratifying to learn that the work would shortly be completed and the funds i raised would see it through. There : was still a lot of important work before them and he was sure with steady perseverance the committee would at i least accomplish something, thus improving the general tone, and appearance of their old historical building and j cemetery. ; Mr Hapeta suggested that a grand 1 Maori concert be held shortly in aid of the funds —something after the same lines of the one recently held. He was i confident that it would meet with the . same success as the previous one. The . suggestion received unanimous support, i and the question of a date was left for definite consideration later. [ Mr Hawea referred to the unsatisfactory state of the cemetery. He would like something done as soon as they wore clear of the present work on hand. It was a big undertaking as the place hud been allowed to go too far unattended. I-Ie was sure that if the committee laid out some scheme and placed it before their people during the week-end, something definite would be arrived at. Mr Ranapiri suggested that all those who had relations buried in the eemeterv—and that no doubt would include everybody—ought to turn to and make a general clean up. It would be a great help. to the committee and also give it a chance of keeping and maintaining the whole place in fair and respectable order. This was in the main agreed to. On the motion of Mr Carkeek, seconded by Mr Hawea, it was decided to call all Natives to attend a meeting* at Raukawa on Sunday next at 2 p.m., for the purpose of discussing tho whole question of the cemetery with the committee. Mr Hori To IVaru approached the committee and drew their attention to the section between the Native school and the church at Raugiatea, which had been taken ovor by the church authorities. Tho rent accruing from

i same was nor devoted to the upkeep of the chureh-house and cemetery.

j This section was really part and parcel of the land definitely reserved for the church and cemetery, and the dividing fence was erected by the Natives durmg the period when the church was being renovated in 1909, so as to give the local Maori minister a grazing paddock for his horse, also to confine the area of waste ground. When the minister dispensed with the use of tho horse he let the property. Eventually the church authorities took it over. The speaker said he would like the committee to take control of the section. Mr Carkeek: "I presume that the fence erected is a temporary one.” Mr Te Want: "Yes, the land is part of the church and cemetery area.” The Committee decided to see into the matter, and in the meantime the .secretary to write to the church authorities in Auckland for information. Mr Matene Te Rei, on behalf of those present, moved a hearty vote of thanks and confidence in the committee for the very able way it managed affairs and the keen interest it had taken in the , work ever since it took over the control and management of Raugiatea. This was seconded by Mr Hori Te AVaru and carried.