NO MAORI QUEEN CANDIDATE

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 24 September 1954, Page 6

NO MAORI QUEEN CANDIDATE

BUT MEETING SUPPORTS SPORTS GROUND CAMPAIGN A meeting to discuss the matter of a candidate, representative i of the Maori people, being chosen to take part in the Taupo Sports Ground Queen Carnival, was held at Waipahihi on Sunday last, Sep.tember 19. Mrs Shirley Laughton attended as representative of Col. J. D. Swan, chairman of the Carnival Central Committee, who was absent in Wellington on deputation business connected with the sports ground development scheme. Mr Ngamotu, who had attended the first meeting of the Central Carnival Committee explained the lines on' which the Committee was working, and said they were gathered to discuss the question of a Maori Queen candidate. Mr T. Blake referred to the last Queen Carnival, and was followed by Mr J. Rameka, both speakers being against a Maori Queen candidate. Mr Rameka said that the Maori people would subscribe to f ulfil their obligations for ' a sports ground, if the meeting were against a Maori Queen. Mr Rutene supported Mr Rameka's statement. Mrs H. Maniapoto said that her family would subscribe to the fund, but did not support the idea of a Maori Queen. It was finally moved that there be no Maori Queen candidate but that donations be given to the Sports Ground Fund. The motion was carried. A further motion was carried that the Waipahihi Hall be available for dances and that any money raised from such functions be handed in to the Sports Ground Fund.