THE MEETING HOUSE AT PAPAWAI.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8392, 11 April 1907, Page 5

THE MEETING HOUSE AT PAPAWAI.

—, —*, ■ AN INTERESTING APPLICATION. At the Native Land Court at Greytown, on Wednesday, an application was mentioned for confirmation of a transfer to trustees for public purposes of the land at Papawai, whereon the meeting house is situated. Mr H. C. Robinson, for the trustees, said the owner of the land |was Raukura Matini, widow of Tamahau Mahupuku. Under an arrangement with the Government she had executed a transfer of the property to the following trustees:-—Augustus Hamilton (the Director of the Colon,la,t Museum), representing th§ Govern*, ment, flgyKflr?. Matfoj fcerpetf, sqan.i. Para one Tummu\ii:£;, sir.l Ti Rang!, Nireaha Tamaki, Iraiatara Kingi, a:id Hesiare Parata. An appointment had been mads with the Court, and j Raukura was to have been present,' I but had had to go to Hastings. Mr Harry Parata, however, who was present,'was cognisant of her views, and represented her, and the natives generally. What counsel desired was that the terms of a trust deed should be discussed and settled before the Court, and that when this trust deed was ready for execution the transaction should be confirmed. The matter would have to await Raukura's return, but it would expedite matters if the suggested lines of the trust were put before the Court. These were as follows: —(1) To hold the property for purpose of preserving native carvings and arts, and as a museum of native art. - (2) To permit the building to be used at such times and on such conditions fas the trustees should decide, by the local hapu for religious gatherings and meetings affecting the welfare of the, hapu or native race generally. (3) To let the hall for entertainments.* (4) To make a charge to the casual visitor for admission. The proceeds to be applied in maintenance and upkeep, and any surplus in improvements or extensions of the buildings or their contents.

Mr Parata said he agreed with the outlines as stated by Mr Robinson. They were practically the outcome of {the proposals originally made by Raukura. Mr Hamilton had telegraphed from Christehurch his inability to be present that day, and that the matter had better be without his attendance. He (Mr Parata) thought charges should* be made on special occasions. He understood that at a conference between the Native Minister and Mr Hamilton it was agreed that £ for £ subsidy would be given ion all money raised for the purposes of the trust. With reference to the carved house now at Tablelands, it had been suggested that as the Papawai ground was being put under trust the carved house should be moved there, and he understood that when the present matter was through this would be done. He thought a wide discretion should be given to the trustees as regards regulating the using of the buildings. / The Judge thought that any bylaws making charges ffor admission should be publicly notified, particularly if it was decided to make the place a tourist resort. Mr Robinson saw no objection, but with regard to by-laws generally he thought the trust deed should be as far as possible self-contained. Bylaws under trust deeds were apt to be informally made and cause trouble. Mr Parata said they had already framed by-laws under the Maori Council 'dealing with the admission of dogs and horses to the enclosure. The Judge said he presumed Raukura Matini was prepared to agree with the views of the other leading personages among the natives. Mr Parata said that was so, but he recognised that she should be present. The matter was then adjourned to enable Raukura to attend the present sitting of the Court at a later date.