Lakeshore Reserves Raised Before Committee Of Inquiry On Maori Land Use

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 48, 22 June 1965, Page 12

Lakeshore Reserves Raised Before Committee Of Inquiry On Maori Land Use

I ••••> • - • - - One of the major issues raised at a meeting of 90 Maori laudowners in Taupo on Sun day concerned the Taupo County Council's plan for re^erves round Lake Taupo. It was submitted to a committee of enquiry on the use of Maori land that the Govemment, should set aside areas of Crown land to exchange for areas of Maori land used for reserves. The meeting was most . successful, discussion was on a sound plane and it was evident that the Tuwharetoas recognised that changes in land use must come. The meeting did not altogether agree with all* proposals, but it accepted that change is necessary. The committee was headed by ex-chief

Judge of the Maori Land Court, Ivor Pritchard, and with him was the deputy registrar of the Maori Land Court, Whangarei, Mr Hemi Waetford. The meeting considered that the Government should be asked to provide more money for the development of Maori land in the Taupo area. It was felt the land should be developed in the same inanner as Cmown block s. Better provision for Maori widows and children was asked for as well as the right to have certain matters conducted by the Court in chambers. or else by the registrar alone. It was felt that many Maori people were upset by having private matters heard in a public court.