IN BRIEF

Te Ao Hou, September 1955, Page 62

IN BRIEF A dictionary of the Rarotonga-Maori Language by Stephen Savage, who died in 1941, is now being printed by the Cook Island Administration at their Printing Office in Rarotonga. Stephen Savage had close contact with the people of the Cook Islands over a period of some 40 years, in his work as Registrar and as Commissioner of the Land Court. His knowledge of their language, customs, history and legends was comprehensive and accurate. In recording this knowledge, he included much miscellaneous information that is not usually found in a dictionary. Linguists who were consulted looked upon it only as raw material for a dictionary, but expressed the hope that the information would be preserved in some form for the people of the Cook Islands, linguists and students of Polynesia. Publication of this work will preserve much that was in grave danger of being lost. It could form the basis of a future dictionary. Copies will be obtainable before the end of 1955 from the Government Printing Office, Wellington. * * * A campaign to raise £1000 to save the Te Aute College chapel is being organized at present by old boys of the school. This picturesque and historic building has a lovely old-time shingle roof and this is at present in a particularly bad state of repair. If the money can be collected shingles will again be used when the roof is renovated. The distinctive tower on which much work is needed is also to be preserved in its present form. The drive organizer is Mr W. T. Ngata, of the Department of Maori Affairs, Wellington. * * * A natural brown stone obelisk has been erected at Pakanae, near Opononi, in memory of Kupe, the great Polynesian navigator and discoverer of New Zealand. It is a tribute from his descendants—a section of the Ngapuhi tribe living on the shores of the Hokianga harbour. * * * A community centre is the first aim of the newly formed Marton Tribal Committee (chairman, Mr J. Henare) whose first meeting, in conjunction with the local Maori Women's Welfare League, was held in the Borough Council Chambers at Marton recently. * * * The Te Awhina Social Club (president, Mr W. Tahere) held its second annual meeting recently, according to a special report to Te Ao Hou by George Koea. The club is open to Maori and Pakeha alike, has a membership of fifty. A choir has been formed and has already broadcast from New Plymouth radio station 2XP and sung elsewhere in public. Among plans for the future the club hopes to hold debates, mock ‘Parliaments’, lessons in Maori arts and crafts, and to organise educational talks. Table tennis and Maori action songs and hakas are also encouraged.