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"THE SLEEPING GIANT'" - THE EAST COAST 1945-1975 REGIONAL PROBLEMS AND REGIONAL RESPONSES
A THESIS PRESENTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT' OF THE REQUIREMENT'S FOR THE DEGREE OF
MASTER OF ARTS
JANET EVELYN BRAY 1983
IN HIS'IDRY AT MASSEY UNIVERSITY
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
In the course of researching and writing this thesis I have received help from many people. Firstly my Supervisor, Dr Margaret Tennant, and Professor W. Oliver of the History Cepartment, Massey University. 'Iheir patient guidance, criticisms and helpful
suggestions have at all times improved the quality of my work. I owe them a very great debt.
Many people have been generous in giving of their time and
information, and often I have been lent material which proved of great value to my research. I would therefore like to thank Mr Eric Adye and Mr A.R. Smith of the ECDRA. Also Messrs Hudson, G:>odsir, Fryer and Evans of the Cook County Council. Mr Bryce Mcloughlin of the East Cape Catchment Board, Mr Eric Amor of the Ministry of Works, Gisborne,
Mr Mark Mc:Callum, Ministry of Works, Wellington, and Mr John Johnston of the New Zealand Forest Service all contributed valuable information.
'Ihe librarians of the H.B. Williams Memorial Library, Gisborne and Massey University Library were exceedingly helpful in locating information. A special thank you must also be extended to the staff of the Gisborne Museum and Art Gallery, especially Mrs Sheila Robinson who patiently helped me sift through the extensive photo collection.
'Ihe librarians of the Nelson, Greymouth, Westport, Invercargill, Timaru, New Plymouth, Napier, 'Thames, Kaitaia and Whangarei libraries must also be thanked for answering my written erquiries.
Many people have given their personal support to what turned out to be a rather long-term undertaking - to my mother and G.ven I owe a debt which I can never repay for their never-failing support. To Sandy who became my husband during the course of this thesis, and who thus
"inherited" it I say thank you for understanding. Likewise I thank Beverley who took the time to draw me the location map, and my friends who gave encouragement and contributed in so m~y ways. A magnificent contribution was made by Val Coburn - the long hours she spent
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deciphering and typing made this thesis presentable.
To everyone who helped towards the completion of this work I say thank you - without you all it could not have been done.
CONI'ENTS
Page
Introduction vii
Historical Background 1
'Ihe East Coast D=velopment Research Association Inc. 36
Erosion and Forestry 62
Land Tenure and Utilisation 86
Transport and Industrial I€velopment 110 Population l\bvements and Social Issues 135
Conclusion 153
Appendices 158
Bibliography 187
Figure l
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14
15 16 17 18
ILLUSTRATIONS
Location Map of East Coast Early Ormond 1876
Gisborne Harbour 1925
Gisborne-Opotiki Bridle Track 1903 Coach Route North of Gisborne 1909 Oil Well "Totangi"
Map of East Coast Drilling areas 1956 Taylor Report Map
Erosion in Mangatu area Results of Bush Burnoff Iebris dam construction Slipping on East Coast hills Poverty Bay Flood 1950
Watties Sweetcorn harvest 1952
"Napier Star" in roadstead Loading at overseas Wharf
Helicopter transport of farm materials MJntana Wines Factory 1976
Page 2
6 21 24
25 29 30 50 54
63 67 77
95 107 119 122 124 129
EC ECDRA
~w
MP
NZJH NZOYB NZPD PRO
ABBREVIATIONS
East Coast
East Coast D2velopment Research Association Ministry of Works
Member of Parliament
New Zealand Journal of History New Zealand Official Year Book New Zealand Parliamentary Debates Public Relations Office
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