News in Tokeran

Te Ao Hou, April 1956, Page 6

News in Tokeran A meeting was held at Kawakawa recently of the trustees of Kaka Porowini Hostel. (The old building has been removed). The trustees agreed that the idea of a hostel would be left over in the meantime and that a Community Centre project be gone on with. * * * The first meeting of the Taitokerau Maori Trust Board was held at Whangarei recently. Those present included Riri Maihi Kawiti and other prominent Maoris of the Taitokerau District. The District officer, Mr Souter, welcomed the members, and pointed out to those present the need for more education amongst the young Maoris of Taitokerau. Possibly the Board would consider making available money or part of its income to assist promising scholars. The following comprise the Board—Chairman: Anaru Ngawaka of Whangape. Deputy Chairman: Piri Mokena of Whangaroa. Secretary: Tawai Riri Kowiti of Waiomio. Members: Miss Pipi Tito of Tangiteroria. Hone Wi Kaitaia of Kaitaia, Kerei Mihaka of Kaikohe. There is still a vacancy on the Board in respect of a member from the Ngati Whatua-Uriohau. The meeting decided on the principal that the income be invested in local bodies throughout the North and possibly in the Electric Power Board. * * * Miss Huia Riki. Northland Junior Tennis Champion is joining the Maori Affairs Department. * * * Tiny Karetu school (Bay of Islands); roll 45, has provided two Ngarimu Junior Scholarship winners over a period of four years. As the scholarship is open to all Maori school children and only two awards per year are made (one boy and one girl), this is a fine result. Last year's prize-winner was Miss Eliza Edmonds now at Queen Victoria Maori Girls' College. Bessie Munn, Karetu, was successful in 1952. An impressive service was held recently at Waiomio, Kawakawa, at which Maoris paid tribute to Mr C. B. Shortland of Matawaia on the eve of his departure for ordination at All Saints, Palmerston North. * * * Kura Taylor, 23 years of age, is in charge of the infant department of five infant mistresses at Ruawai District High School. The headmaster. Mr Holyoake, believes Miss Taylor is the youngest teacher in the country with that grading. * * * With the guidance of Mr Selwyn Te Paa and other local leaders. Naumai Pa (near Ruawai, Northland) has for some years now conducted its own library. Books are obtained from the National Library Service, and so far it seems to have been a successful concern, helping greatly in bringing good reading matter to young and old. * * * Rati Te Ami Awarua, aged 105 or 106, of Waima, Hokianga, is one of the oldest people in that part of the country. The generation following hers has entirely passed away. She has no children. Rati showed great generosity in giving land away under the consolidation schemes. * * * The owners of the Poutu Maori Land Development Scheme have agreed to the settlement of twenty-eight farmers on long-term leaseholds. They will choose the settlers who will be appointed after approval by the district land committee. Five settlers will be settled each year, starting with 1956. Estimated production will be 12,000lbs of butterfat. * * * When the 86th anniversary of the Ngunguru School was celebrated recently former pupils and teachers gathered from far afield. The first school at Ngunguru was for Maori pupils, and was built on the property of Paratene Te Manu and Henare Te Monanui—chiefs of the tribe living in the pa close by. Te Manu deeded the property to the Government for all time, on condition that provision would be made for a school in which both Maori and pakeha children could be taught. At that time—about 1850—the next nearest school was at Waihaha in the Bay of Islands. * * * It is estimated that 80 per cent of the Maori population in Auckland comes from Northland. * * * At the recent opening of Whangaruru Hall (tribe: Ngati Wai) by Mr B. E. Souter, District Officer of the Department of Maori Affairs, Whangarei, five hundred people were present.