CAMP WITH A FUTURE

Te Ao Hou, November 1957, Page 38

Mr Abie Mason, late elder of Ngati Parekawa, lifelong believer in the development of Hauhungaroa. In the 1920's an attempt was made with the help of Father Langewerf, with the Tuwharetoa Trust Board providing grass seed manure, and cream being carted on horseback to the now disused factory Waihi. CAMP WITH A FUTURE When Te Ao Hou visited Hauhungaroa, there was a grand dinner in the community hall, with many excellent speeches, followed by a dance. The master of ceremonies was Abie Mason, the elder whose recent death will be a great loss to the settlement. Hauhungaroa is a camp with a difference. In most timber camps, when the trees are cut the workers disperse and their interest in the land ceases. At Hauhungaroa, many of the workers are owners and a substantial part of the royalties from the timber are being used to develop the land as an independent Maori incorporation. Ultimately, this land will be cut up into farms. Mr J. Bishara who owned the mill for some years was a great help in the early development and is also responsible for the model shop and for the fact that the community hall has a Charter to sell liquor…Hauhungaroa is the only timber camp with a Charter, and very proud of it. People tend to stay in the camp during the weekends which benefits both them and the mill. Hohepe Takiwa, elder of Hauhungaroa, takes a short nap after the festivities. Chairman of the Hauhu ngaroa tribal committee and the social committee is Mr Wi Moku who comes from the far north.