MAORI GIRLS’ FETE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23803, 24 November 1942, Page 3

MAORI GIRLS’ FETE

* TF WAI POUNAMU COLLEGE The annual fete of the Te WaiPounamu Maori Girls’ School was honoured on Saturday by the presence of Mr Dick Taiaroa, one of the few remaining high ranking chiefs of the South Island, to whom a special welcome was accorded by the Primate (Archbishop West-Watson). Mr Taiaroa, now C 4 years old, is one of the two surviving members of the Maori football team that toured England in 1888-90, and he was also present at the Coronation of King Edward VII. The chief related how, as one of the first students at the Christchurch Boys’ High School, he had visited the March home (in which the school has been housed for the last 34 years). “However, though I have two of my grandnieces here,'' he remarked, “I have not had an opportunity of visiting the school before.” The official visitors were received by Miss H. Harding, the acting-chairman of the council (Canon G. Nelham Watson), and the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. A. K. Warren). Archbishop West-Watson introduced Mrs Mowbray Tripp (who declared the fete open). He emphasised the importance of a European education for Maori girls. “This is the only post-primary school for Maori girls that any church has in the South Island, and it is most encouraging to know that this year the principal. Miss Hilda Harding, has 23 pupils under her care,” said his Grace. Items bv the students, under the direction of Miss Kura Tahiwi, included a powhiri or welcome to the visitors, poi dances, and action songs. The girls also sang “Home, Sweet Home,” in Maori. Male members of the Ngati-Otautahi Maori Club, led by Mr Vernon Thomas, prepared a haangi in which a sheep was cooked. Roast mutton found a ready sale. The Old Girls’ Association, under the direction of the president (Mrs H. Baker), Miss E. Paynter, and Miss Kia Rewai. had a special stall. The fete, which realised the sum of £lO5, was organised by the following members of the women’s committee: Miss A. K. Foley (convener), Mrs T. E. Chisnall, Miss West-Watson, Mrs L. Clark, and Mrs Hewland.