Punguru

Te Ao Hou, March 1962, Page 19

Punguru The evening of the same day there was a gathering at the meeting-house Punguru, and thirty-nine people came to see a showing of slides taken at a play centre. The slides were of the various kinds of play and depict the meaning of play far more vividly than words. I met Father Wanders at this meeting, the Roman Catholic priest of Punguru and the surrounding area. He is greatly admired and respected by the people, and an inspiration to them all. He has worked for many years to obtain a District High School at Punguru, and now that wish is to become a reality. As we journeyed along next morning, Miss Paitai fell into her task of Maori Welfare Officer, and it was indeed enlightening to me to see her at work. All the people she knew, not only their names, but their hopes and fears also. We stopped to chat first with one family and then another. It was the same story in Miss Toia's area. I had the impression of one large happy family. Many was the hand that I shook during the three day tour.