Maori Lore

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30348, 25 January 1964, Page 3

Maori Lore

An Illustrated Encyclopedia of Maori Life. By A. W. Reed. A. H. and A. W. Reed. 208 pp. Interest in every aspect of Maori life especially in prePakeha days has never been keener than ait present. This beautifully presented nonspecialist work, printed in England, will go far to meeting the need of the average reader at school and at home. There are 675 entries arranged in alphabetical order on subjects ranging from Action Songs, Agriculture, Food, Hunting, Marriage Customs to Women’s Duties and Wrestling, and these are supported by cross-references to related subjects and alternative headings. The text is remarkably comprehensive and will provide answers to many a ■casual question, for the r artative throughout.from descriptions of Maori artifacts to explanations of time-honour-ed activities, is brief and uncomplicated. The information provided has been garnered from many different works by standard authorities, and for the reader who wishes to follow-up a point in the text it is’ a pity that Mr Reed has not included a brief indication of sources at the foot of each entry. A most striking feature is the inclusion of 300 pleasing line drawings by Dr. T. Barrow, Russell Clark, H. D. B. Dansey, W. Dittmer, S. M. Mead, L. C. Mitchell and Dennis Turner. Without exception these are all clearly reproduced and add to the interest of the text. The book is worthy of a place in the library of every school, secondary as well as primary, in the country. All royalties earned are being paid to the Maori Education Foundation.