Maori Battalion Reunion

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31018, 25 March 1966, Page 3

Maori Battalion Reunion

Maori warriors of the 20th century will be in Hastings this week-end for the reunion of the 28th Maori Battalion.

Between 1500 and 2000 will attend the reunion. Many will be accompanied by their wives.

The Waipatu marae, just north of Hastings, will become battalion headquarters for the most elaborate and large-scale military reunion held in Hastings. Five of the original battalion commanders will be present.

Heading these guests of honour will be Brigadier G. Dittmer, of Takapuna, the original commander. Others will be Lieutenant-Colonel H. G. Dyer, of Whangarei, Lieu-tenant-Colonel C. M. Bennett, the former New Zealand Ambassador to Malaya, now of Wellington. Lieutenant-Col-onel J. L. Henare, of North Auckland, Lieutenant-Colonel M. C. Fairbrother, of Parapara umu. From England has come best wishes from another battalion commander, Lieuten-ant-Colonel R. R. Young. Meeting Again More than 100 Maori servicemen of World War I will assemble in Tauranga today at the Hairini marae for their annual reunion. The programme will include bus tours, a dinner, and a dawn parade on Sunday. Wreaths will be laid at the Maungatapu and Hairini cemeteries. Lupins Sprayed A modern technique to depress the growth of lupins so that pine trees are not hindered was used yesterday on the Aupouri forest when a low-volatile hormone was sprayed from the air by helicopter. The work is expected to take until the week-end. The pilot, Mr E. J. Fenton, and his ground support man, Mr P. White, have also been laying fishing gear from the air in Kaipara Harbour. They are enthusiastic over results. Islanders Coming Thirty-seven unmarried Tokelau Islanders will arrive In New Zealand on March 28

under a resettlement scheme administered by the Department of Island Territories. The scheme is financed jointly by the Departments of Labour and Island Territories. Native Timber

To prevent possible waste of indigenous timbers an advisory committee will be set up to investigate indigenous forest resources and report to the Minister of Forests (Mr Gerard) on future conservation. The Indigenous Forest Timber Advisory Committee regulations gazetted last night provide the machinery for the Forest Service and the Dominion Sawmillers’ Federation to estimate indigenous forest resources, forecast future consumption, recommend levels of production, and report on methods of sale. Anzac Medal New Zealand Gallipoli veterans would “most likely” have an Anzac medallion similar to the one which Australian veterans <rf the campaign were expected to receive, the Acting Secretary of Defence (Mr W. Hutchings) said last night. Scratched Crowns Because they were circulation coins, no special provision was made for packing the specially-struck Churchill crowns on their journey to New Zealand.

The president of the Royal New Zealand Numismatic

Society, Mr B. G. Hamlin, said this was why a large number of the crowns were scratched on arrival. The crowns were packed loosely in bags in the same way that New Zealand coins are packed. The crowns are legal tender but nearly all are in the hands of collectors. Goldie Unsold An unsigned painting of Tawhaio by C. F. Goldie was passed in at auction yesterday afternoon. An opening bid of £550 was sought but

of faulty electrical equipment and points. Road Deaths At 4.30 p.m. yesterday 94 road deaths had been reported to the Transport Department this year. At this time last year 129 had beep reported. The toll for March is 25. At the same time last March 36 had died.