MAORI church commit- TEE.

Otaki Mail, 15 March 1922, Page 3

MAORI church commitTEE.

GENERAL MEETING WITH THE NATIVES. The above meeting was convened foi discussing the cemetery question witl the Natives and there was a represen ' tativo gathering. The following mein- ' bers of the committee were present: — 5 Messrs T. llikihana (chairman), K. 5 Hawea, H. Kanapiri, U. llapeta, W. * Rei and It. Carkeek (secretary). The chairman stated that the com--1 in it tee had no desire to hurt the feelings of the oid people v itli regard to 1 the scheme that the committee was about to place before them. The mut--1 ter oh hand was a very delicate one as far as Maori sentiment was concerned. However, he sincerely hoped that: the meeting would arrive at something definite. There were only two courses clear to the committee: (1) For everybody who had relations buried in the cemetery to come forward and make a general clean up; or (2) to graze sheep on the place, a temporary wire netting j fence to bo erected cutting oil the front portion of the cemetery area and the church. The scheme mentioned would relieve them of a lot of unneces- j sary oxpenses, and once they got ahead of the long grass and scrub the rest would no doubt be easy. The committee wa6 not in favor of expending any money for the purpose of cleaning up the cemetery, especially in. the condition. it was in now. It would bo a financial waste, but once they got the scrub and grass down steady and continuous maintenance work could then be carried out. Mk Kupa Hawea pointed out that the committee had other important work in view in the matter of repairing and puinting the picket fences and the laying of a concrete or nshphalt footpath leading from the main gate to the church. This was badly needed, and if the people would meet the committee half way or fall in line regarding the cemetery matter, it. would undoubtedly assist a great deal, thereby permitting the committee to do other essential work in the meantime. Mrs Pirihira Te Hana. objected to the idea of grazing sheep on the cemetery for sentimental reasons, but was in favor of the proposal for everybody to come forward and make a general clean up, also Europeans who had re- I lations buried there. She also added j that failing this, to raise the necessary j funds for the purpose of cleaning up the whole cemetery. A general discussion took place. There were several other? against the grazing proposal, but all were agreeable to do a general clean up. Mr Hori Te Warn, on behalf of the Natives present, proposed that a. week be given for the people to earn- out the work of cleaning up, and if the work does not prove satisfactory to the committee, or if nothing be done by then, tile committee use their own discretion about the matter. He realised the keen interest the committee was taking in all matters connected with Rangiatea, and was sure that everything would turn out for the best. i On the motion of Mr U. Hapeta. seconded by Mr W. Roi, it was decided to give the people two weeks to do the general clean up, failing that the committee to graze sheep as outlined by • the chairman. This was carried. Mr Ma-tenc Te Rci approached the committee and suggested that a column be erected at the gateway of the church in memory of the pakeha and Maori soldiers of Otaki who fell in t-he great war. He considered it would be an appropriate place for the column, and it would be just opposite and facing tha-t of Tc Rauparaha —a noted warrior and the “Napoleon of the South.’’ The structure imed not be elaborate. In view of the electric scheme coming into existence a light could be fitted on the peak of the column, and in any case a light was necessary in that locality. The suggestion met with the unanimous support of the committee, and all others present. Mr Carkeek stated that as a returned soldier he was very pleased that his fallen comrades were not forgotten and that the proposal would give food for thought. He suggested, however, that the committee carry on with their ordinary and essential work in view, and when -that was completed they would be able to divert and concentrate their efforts on the memorial. He proposed that the matter be held over for the I time being. This was agreed to. 1 It was decided to hold the grand Maori concert in aid of the funds on April ISth. A strong committee of la- : dies was foraied as follows:—Mrs Remana Te Hana. Mrs Hupa Hawea, Mrs ! Kahurangi Tnipua, Mrs Ngaxaima Ri- ; kihana. Mrs H. Kanapiri, Mrs Matcne ! Te Rei, Mrs Roiri, Mrs Tohipare Maremare, Mrs Rangiahuta Winiata, Mrs j Hui Humphrey, Mrs G. Gordon, and Miss Ria Tahiwi. 1 The following were appointed to ar- ! range the programme: —Messrs T. Ri- ! kihana. K. Hawea, and U. Hapeta. ' The secretary was instructed to write to the Hon. A. T. Ngata and Hon. Dr. , Pornare, M ’s.P., to contribute items. I and also if possible to procure other ;. Maori talent. n irim—