PARITUTU.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 May 1921, Page 5

PARITUTU.

PUBLIC MEETING TO BE CALLED.

HELP OF MAORIS SOUGHT.

Further proposals in connectloa with the efforts of the Paritutu Preservation League were dealt with at a meeting of the league, held last night. Mr. W H. Skinner presided over an attendance of about thirty. The convenor of the meeting (Mr. R. C. Hughes) said it was extremely painful to read in the newspapers that preparations werej being made to run a tramline to Paritutu, and that it was also proposed to put itk another blast. “It seems they are beat on destruction/’ he said, “and how we can avoid it 1 don’t know. It is juft possible, by courage and intuition, we may find some course of action.” Mr. Hughes mentioned a suggestion which had been made regarding legislation for getting Paritutu set aside as an historical reserve by the Government, with the possibility of securing compensation for the Harbor Board. He understood some action might also be taken by the native race.

In regard to the position as viewed by the native race, Mr. J. H. Damon said he had mentioned the matter to several influential members of his tribe (Ngati Awa), and was awaiting a report as to the result of a discussion on the subject, which would take place at a tribal meeting now being held at Urenui to deal with various matters.

In reply to Mr. J. O. Taylor, Mr. Hughes stated that the terms of the resolution carried at the last meeting had been conveyed to the chairman of the Harbor Board by letter. Mr. Taylor, however, considered that the resolution was too mild. He thought it would fall like water on a duck's back. A man would only have to.light his pipe, he said, and the resolution, would be evaporated with the smoke. Something emphatic was needed. The meeting proceeded to elect officers. On being nominated as president, Mr. Skinner said he could not accept. Though he did not like to throw cold water on the league’s work, he thought that unless they could bring forward something tangible they would be simply beating the air. After much thought he could not see any way they could hold up the destruction of Pari- / tTitu.

The following executive committee was set up:—Mrs. (Dr.) Brewster, Mrs. Stuart Russell, Messrs. Damon, P. B. Fitzherbert, J. O. Taylor (secretary), and N. K. Mac Diarmid (treasurer). A resolution was passed entering an emphatic protest against any destruction of Paritutu, and inviting the cooperation of the native race throughout New Zealand. The mover, Mr. J. O. Taylor, said he thought they would have to depend on the Maoris to use their influence, as, unfortunately, the white people were dominated by their pockets. It was also decided that a general public meeting be called by the league, at which a number of speakers will give addresses. Mr. Damon said he hoped to secure the assistance of the Native Minister (Hon. Dr. Pomare), who would no doubt take a great inferesli; in the matter, as bis ancestors fough't in the vicinity of Paritutu. It was a gathering of members of the tribe would be held, and Dr. Pomare would be invited to attend the meeting. Members the Cabinet are to be circularised. a sking them to prevent the Harbor Boat’d proceeding with the work in the mean time till the people of New Plymouth z 1 have an opportunity of discussing tflie matter. All private members of /Parliament are also to be communicaxed with by letter. The /chairman stated that the funds of thrf league only amounted to £1 16s 6d. z'ln response to his appeal for donatic ms, offers amounting to over £3O w/ere received from those present. f Mention was made of the great hisf topical connection of Paritutu, Mr. Skinner stating that its history dated back 500 years, and a suggestion was made that the league should publish a history of Paritutu in view of its association with the first landing of the Polynesian race. In reply to questions, Mr. Skinner said it was not possible to have Paritutu set aside as a scenic reserve except by special Act of Parliament. “Is it possible to purchase Paritutu,” was another enquiry, which elicited a negative answer. Mr. Skinner said the land was set aside by the Provincial Government as an endowment for the purposes of constructing a harbor, and the Harbor Board had no power to sell Paritutu, or dispose of its trust. Mr. Fitzherbert said he had heard the opinion stated to the effect that the League was opposing the devclopmen of the harbor. This was not so: ih were not trying to put any obstacle the way of building the harbor, but believed that the work could be done wLhJiut destroying Paritutu.