More Northland Parents Visit Auckland

Te Ao Hou, December 1967, Page 34

A parent shares a joke with one of the apprentice plumbers. Two motor mechanics in conversation with another parent. More Northland Parents Visit Auckland Another group of North Auckland parents visited Auckland in mid-September. A full programme included, on the first day, visits to Auckland University, Auckland Technical Institute, where the parents saw boys in four courses—motor mechanics, plumbing, electrical wiring and carpentry, and first-year carpentry trainees building houses at Otara. The Crown Lynn Potteries and the School for Dental Nurses were visited on the second day, and the parents noted how many Maoris were employed at unskilled and semi-skilled work, and how few took up careers which required intensive training—there being only

one part-Maori girl training to be a Dental Nurse. A look at Tumanako Boys' Hostel was followed by a sumptuous afternoon tea. The third morning was spent at Greenlane and National Women's Hospitals, where the parents were shown through the Household Training School, saw the Household Staff Quarters and heard a talk from a Tutor Sister at Greenlane. Visits to Broadcasting House and Auckland Teachers' College followed, and the parents were entertained by Maori and Pakeha members of the College's Maori Social Club. Afternoon tea was provided by the students. Unscheduled visits to Te Unga Waka Catholic Community Centre and the Anglican Youth Centre, where over 200 youngsters were enjoying themselves at a Club started by Auckland's new Maori Missioner, Revd Kingi Ihaka, made a happy ending to the trip. National Publicity Studios Demonstrating in the language laboratory at Auckland University is Mr Bob Mahuta. who three years ago ‘made history’ by passing School Certificate with an average of 70, 10 years after leaving school. He is now lecturing at the University. The parents' interest in the girls at the School for Dental Nurses is obviously reciprocated by these two students.