It is my intention to make a submission on the current WDC draft annual plan requesting that all WDC funding and administrative support for NZMG(W) be withheld this financial year. Also, that before funding is restored (with no backdating) NZMG(W) must provide WDC with, in writing, their intentions regarding the calling of tenders for support services such as catering.
I urge other citizens to do the same. After all, it is our money!
We have the right to expect that, where our money is used to support a local enterprise, that enterprise, in return, gives support to local business
G.J. MOLES
Castlecliff
Open Studios
As the 2017 chair of Artist Open Studios, Whanganui, I would like to thank Whanganui artists and community for supporting an event that is in its 17th year.
Over 100 artists participated in a record 77 venues, with visitors coming from around New Zealand and Australia.
Importantly, the event showcases our large and diverse artist community. It also creates a very busy and vibrant feel to parts of the heritage areas of CBD. Preliminary feedback by regular visitors indicates that they made special efforts to visit and focus on the many first-time entrant artists.
Another positive was the spread of artists across town and to the outer edges of our district. Even those artists reported heavy attendance by the public. The very fact that one should use the catalogue wisely to maximise their studio visits (by foot and/or car) is the low-key enduring charm of this event.
The event is about art appreciation and our artists but it is widely important to Whanganui on many levels. The positive PR return far exceeds the cost to council (less than $2 per year per ratepayer). It puts Whanganui on a hugely positive pedestal across NZ over a significant period of time.
Economically, the nine days inject significant amounts of money into the local community via accommodation, hospitality food venues and general retailers and services. This event (along with others) is important to business, community and the reputation of Whanganui as a great destination town to visit and explore, short-stay or even move to.
I focus on the "glass being half full" and topping it up when it comes to Whanganui.
Thank you to our trustees, our co-ordinator, Whanganui Events Trust event management team, local businesses in our physical and technical preparations, and our key funders Whanganui & Partners (WDC economic arm). Thank you most of all to the artists and the thousands of members of the public.
Thank you, Whanganui.
ROSS FALLEN
Chairman, Artists' Open Studios Whanganui
Macrons in Maori
I have just read your interesting article about Harete Hipango by Simon Waters, dated April 8. Alas, I was severely disappointed by the standard of language used in the piece, which included several grammatical errors and at least one spelling mistake.
Whilst proof-reading is not always entirely successful, it is considered good practice for a journalistic publication.
The more serious issue in the piece is the lack of respect for Te Reo Maori. It is very easy to enable the use of macrons on any PC or laptop. One can only wonder why the conscious decision has been made by the Chronicle not to use this national language correctly? Macrons are not a luxury, they can significantly alter meaning. For instance, the Maori word "tara" can mean "vagina", whereas the word "tara" with the elongated vowel means "dollar" or cost.
I think you will agree that there is a significant difference in meaning between the two distinctly separate words.
If you are unable to employ macrons, the standard approach is to indicate long vowels by using two of the same letter, e.g. Maori becomes Maaori.
Te Reo Maori is a national language and a taonga, and I hope in the future that the Whanganui Chronicle accords it the respect that it deserves.
NEIL BUDDLE
Whanganui
Bruce memorial
Re Robert Cunningham Bruce, 1842-1917.
The Bruce family were early Turakina settlers. Glencairn Rd is named after their farm and Bruce Rd after the family.
Robert, one of the sons, went to sea as a 14-year-old to learn the sea trade. When he returned to New Zealand, he brought a farm up the Turakina Valley called Ngaruru in 1877.
Robert Cunningham Bruce was an AB/seafarer, gold prospector, Rangitikei settler and farmer, orator, author of Reminiscences of a Wanderer, MHR [MP] for Rangitikei 1884- 90 and 1892-93, pioneer conservationist and benefactor.
In his will he left money to public organisations and a legacy that continues today as the Robert C. Bruce Trust: "Whole of my residual estate is for afforestation and the making of Domains and National Parks in New Zealand". His money has gone throughout NZ.
A commemoration is to be held at the Bruce Memorial Reserve and Ngaruru Woolshed, Turakina Valley Rd, Hunterville on Sunday, April 23, at 1.30pm to acknowledge the work of this remarkable settler 100 years on.
All interested people are invited to attend.
For further information, contact Roz Grant, 06 327 3861, tullochgorum@xtra.co.nz
ROZ GRANT
Whanganui
Land confiscation
There is a danger that if a false story is repeated enough times, it may become generally accepted. One is the claim that many Maori tribes had their lands wrongfully confiscated without adequate redress (Potonga Neilson, April 4).
In fact there was rebellion, including killing of settlers, refusal to recognise the law and expulsion of Government agents who were actively bringing improvement to so many Maori who supported the efforts of the Government. When war was threatened, Governor Grey quite correctly warned that further rebellion would result in confiscations, which indeed did happen.
It was difficult to separate rebels and friendly tribes, and it was soon recognised that the first confiscations were too sweeping. A commission revisited the question and a majority of confiscated land was returned.
A 1928 report found that in three regions a minority of confiscated lands remained in Government hands: 36 per cent in Taranaki, 28 per cent in Bay of Plenty and 17 per cent in Tauranga. The exception was Waikato, where a major part of confiscated lands, 74 per cent, was still in Government hands.
The reason is simply that the purported king refused several generous Government offers. In 1878, in 1882 and in 1888 Government representatives went to meet with Tawhiao, to offer the return of further confiscated land that had not then been sold. All these offers were turned down as Tawhiao refused to swear an oath of allegiance to the Queen. After these refusals the offers were set aside.
The obstacle to the return of much confiscated land was Waikato intransigence and continuing rebellion.
JOHN ROBINSON
Waikanae
