MAORI COLLEGES OF TODAY (Continued from page 33)

Te Ao Hou, Spring 1954, Page 50

MAORI COLLEGES OF TODAY (Continued from page 33) discusses the farm dairy with the whole agricultural group to keep everyone informed of progress. In this dairy talk he tells the boys how high the barley is, at what stage the porkers are, how many meal units they need, and makes some theoretical points as well. In this way the farm remains always present as a practical reality while school work is only broken off occasionally. Undoubtedly Te Aute is doing the country a service by providing such an agriculture course. In the academic course, apart from the basic subjects. Maori, geography, mathematics and biology are mainly concentrated on, with chemistry in the sixth form. Forty per cent of today's Te Aute pupils come from homes where Maori is mainly spoken. The great educational problem of the school, in Mr Webb's opinion, is still English. Difficulties in English affect attainement in all other subjects, and part of the trouble is that the literature in English, being based on the cultural heritage of the English people, is essentially strange to his pupils. His pupils would greatly benefit if more of their English reading fitted in with the Maori cultural heritage and he would be grateful if the English essay paper at school certificate examinations could offer at least one subject close to Maori life. He gave as an instance: “You are the leading man in your village. Make up a programme to suit a reception to a prominent visitor from another district.’ Te Aute is full of tradition; the boys are continually conscience of following in the footsteps of the past leaders and the chiefs of olden days. It is impossible to imagine that the carvings in the Te Aute College assembly hall have not always been there, that they were only put in some four years ago. One feels that at any rate they must have been there in spirit long before they materialised on the walls. Progress at the school has been slowed down over the past 20 years by he unfortunate financial position, but it is likely that when the leases are renewed in 1958 most of the problems will disappear. Taking a very long view, the school's wonderful land holdings must ensure its financial future solidly and indefinitely. I understand that one of the first building operations will be the now urgent replacement of the charming old-time wood shingles on the chapel roof. Not least in importance in the Te Aute tradition are the tours of the rugby teams