Pa Will Provide Link With Past

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 369, 1 June 1928, Page 9

Pa Will Provide Link With Past

MOUNT EDEN PLAN NO SCENIC MUTILATION Rather than tampering or interfering with the point of vantage, it is submitted that the scheme for a memorial Maori pa on Mount Eden will enhance the Mount’s scenic value. Apart from the pa actual interest for the tourists, many of whom have no longer than a few hours in Auckland, and cannot possibly go into the country and form some estimation of Maori life, the proposal of the Maoris themselves that the pa should be a memorial to the old people, is meeting with much favour.

The reconstructed pa will be as near as possible to that which prevailed on the historic mountain prior to the arrival of Captain Cook in this country.

The feeling is also abroad that this proposal is something more than actually concerns the Mount Eden Borough Council. The suggestion has been put forward that this body, which has jurisdiction over the actual area, should not be called upon to pay the whole of the £3,000 that it is estimated the work will cost, according to plans supplied by Mr. Paora Chamberlain, civil engineer, of New Plymouth. The freedom of public access to the mount will in no way be interfered with,” says Mr. George Graham, the well-known Auckland authority on Maori affairs, and one of the leading members of Te Akarana Maori Association. The ancient Maori path across the pa, he points out, will strictly be adhered to. The original entrances and exits are incorporated in the scheme. There will be no digging or interference with the hillside. The original terracing and parapets form part of the proposal. “The model pa will, in fact, be a strict reconstrue t-i o n according to original conditions, as are still actually defined on the ground. It will in no way interfere with the drive to the summit; in fact, it is off the drive-way. Nor will the panoramic effect be interfered with. The site selected was a notable example of ancient military strategy. When The Sun asked representative citizens to-day their opinion of the proposal, there was not one reply definitely against it. The views stated are as follow: MR. G. LAWRENCE TAYLCR (Mount Eden Borough Council): All t-ii© points raised by those opposing the scheme have been carefully safeguarded by the council. There will be no obstruction of view from any direction. Neither will it be necessary to excavate. All the earthworks are , low the original Maori scheme. “Mount Eden was not one fortified pa it contained a series of small, self-contained fortifications The hill that we propose to reconstruct is hut one of these. The scheme has Sir Apirana Ngata’s unqualified approval. We spent two hours with him on the mil in question, and went very carefully into the whole matter.” ATTRACTION FOR TOURISTS 7 Z* wa *-SH (secretary New Zealand Tourist League): Something handy to Auckland representing the former life of the Maori people has always been wanted here. We cannot produce the Maoris, but we certain!y can produce an example of one of their finest fortifications. Many tourists have not the opportunity of going further afield than Auckland. It is often a question of hours with them. The proposal is worthy of all support. MR. JAMES RUKUTAI (president, le Akarana Maori Association): It was never suggested for one moment that , e Plan tc be adopted would be otherwise than the original Maori one. My association believes that this pa would be a particularly fitting memorial to the whole Maori race. Personally. I think we were very fortunate in obtaining the services of Mr. Paora Chamberlain to advise us on technical matter, after Sir Apirana Ngata had approved of the scheme generally. MR JAN HENDRIK ROGGE (DutchAmerican journalist now visiting Auck land): I think that this pa would be a remarkable feature from the point of view of visitors to your city. It is a splendid conception, and would be a decided attraction for tourists. MR. J. A. LEE, M.P.: So long as the pa is placed on one of the lower peaks of the mountain, and nothing is done to obstruct the view. I think It would be an object of added interest to Auckland. "ENTIRELY OLD MAORI” MISS ELLEN MELVILLE (Auckland City Council): Provided that the scheme is carried out in accordance with ancient Maori design, I certainly think that the proposal is a very interesting one. I would not like to the site spoilt, however, by modern methods. The pa must be entirely old Maori. MR. A. HARRIS, M.P.: I am thoroughly in accord with the proposal. I believe the scheme to be a good one, and hope that it will be carried into effect. To my mind there is certainly no necessity to take in the whole of the mountain. PRINCESS TE PUEA HERANGI: I thought the idea a very good one when members of Te Akarana Maori Association explained it to me. I want to see the scheme fulfilled according to Maori tradition in every form. For all time this pa would be ther for future New Zealanders. Maori and Pakeha, to show how the old people lived and fought. MR. H. G. R. MASON, M.P.: I do not think anything better can be done than to follow such an eminent authority as Sir Apirana Ngata In a matter like this. I understand that the proposal has his support.