WHERE TE KOOTI FOUGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 683, 7 June 1929, Page 16

WHERE TE KOOTI FOUGHT

TIMBER MILL TO OPERATE CUTTING SACRED TONGARIRO (From Our Own Correspondent) TAUMARUNUI, Thursday. The sanctity with which King Country native tribes have always regarded Tongariro Mountain has been broken down at last. A sawmilling company operating from Taumarunui has been granted cutting rights over a larcje block on the slopes of the virgin peak. Historic ground will also be touched, as the millers will operate on the place where Te Kooti made his last stand. THE Otukou Timber Company, Ltd., will shortly commence cutting at their mill half-way between the National Park railway station and Tokaanu. A new road, practically completed, leads in toward Tongariro Mountain, and the bush to be milled lies on its slopes almost up to the Ketetahi Springs, 800 acres in all. The Maori owners will share in the profits from the venture, and many expect to find employment in the mill and bush. This represents a radical change in native outlook, as hitherto the Maori has always evinced a strong detestation of anything approaching desecration of their sacred mount, which has been classed as an ancestor of the chiefs. Evidently the modern Maori is touched by the spirit of commercialism, or perhaps he sees the inevitable end.

The Otukou Company has also secured cutting rights over another block of bush that is rich with historic interest, for here will be found the old fort where Te Kooti made his last desperate stand against the white troops. The old earthworks are still to be seen on the northern edge of the block of bush, where Captain St. George lost his life while leading the assault against Te Kooti’s braves.

Once famous Te Porere Fort, clamourous with the noise of battle, will now re-echo to the sounds of the bushman’s all-levelling axe!