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Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20328, 29 August 1931, Page 14

'' 'Die psychology of fo/r was as clearly understood by tho ancient Maoris as by the foremost; psychologists of to-day/' said the Rov. 11. J. Fletcher, in an address to members of the Otago branch of tho Jiew- Zealand Historical Association and of the Institute of Pacific Relations. This was demonstrated, lie said, in the course adopted to impress on the younger men the necessity of learning word for word the traditions of the race in order that they might be handed down to future generations. If they made a. mistake they died. They were taught during- the winter months for five years, and at the end of that time they were required to recite the legends word perfect before they were allowed in their turn to hand their knowledge on to those who would follow them. In later years one man had conceived the idea of committing the'stories of his tribe to paper, and these manu\ scripts are preserved to this day -in the Wanganui district. At the present time they could not be published 011 account of a shortage of money, but Sir Apirana Ngata had the matter in hand, arid in duo course tha-bpok he printed exactly as. the origjual had been written. It would be one of the most valuable authorities on Maori lore thai the country possessed.'