NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 4491, 20 November 1909, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Though writing under the shadow of retrenchment, the Native Health Officer, Dr. Pomare, reports hopefully regarding his staff’s work in raising the hygienic standard of the Maori.

The Health of THE M.voki

“We commenced with sanitary reforms between the Maoris with

a great deal of trepidation,” he states, “ but the. result of the work has proved astonishingly satisfactory : in fact, far beyond our dreams t r , expectations. We can truly state to-day j that, owing to sanitary adjustments, the Maori is a hundred per cent better ott than he was nine years ago. The Maori has awakened. With the passing of such men as Te Whiti and Tohu; with the constant agitation in the direction of land settlement, of individual effort, of sanitation and progress, the Maori has realised that the only royal way to salvation is by work. Everywhere our young men are clamouring to get on to the land, ana when once one or two are successful many try to emulate their example. The report shows that during the department’s nine years’ existence whole villages have been renovated. Some have been shifted from their low, damp situations to the higher lands. Hundreds of insanitary houses have been destroyed without a penny of compensation being asked for. New houses have been erected. In some districts it would be quite difficult to find a Maori whare of the old stamp. They have all gone in the general awakening that has taken place. There is just one departure from the cheerful note, “We regret,” added Pornare. “ that, owing to Btoriny weather, the ship of State has to unburden itself by the unloading of our department ; but, sir, though my people from all parts are ‘ ponri ’ for this step, they cannot help being grateful for the great, great good which has been done.’ 1