He Waka Harakeke (A TOY CANOE)

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1953, Page 42

He Waka Harakeke (A TOY CANOE) In the old world of the Maori, the young boys, in their seasonal games, always played with toy flax canoes. They took great pains in the construction of them, keeping in mind two main essentials—balance and speed. After selecting an area of calm water in a lagoon, mud pool or river, the boys would line their toy craft at a pre-arranged starting point, and at a given signal the canoes were released. The breeze would catch the sails. Tiny ripples would appear behind the flax craft. Away they would go, sailing as gracefully as a China Clipper, or precariously wending their courses to the winning line. How anxious and excited the boys would be, we can all well imagine! And how would you boys of Te Ao Hou manage to build one! You can manage very easily, and I am sure you can display the same keenness and skill that your fathers, grand-fathers and great grand-fathers displayed in their days. You can be equally proud of your achievements. There is a joy for all human beings who build or create something, and, more so, when the creation works! Let us then begin. FIG.1 FIG.2