Otara College Polynesian Club Conference

Te Ao Hou, 1970, Page 60

Otara College Polynesian Club Conference After months of planning, the Otara College Polynesian Club held their conference from Friday 11 to Sunday 13 July, with delegates attending from as far away as Kaitaia and Pukekohe. There was a large crowd of eager workers at the school very early Friday morning which resulted in most of the work being done before noon. The dormitories, hall and dining rooms were prepared for the delegates who began to arrive at 4 p.m., so hungry that we had to rush out and buy fish and chips to carry them over till tea at 6.30. After tea was the official welcome by the Kaumatuas and the Polynesian Club, with speeches from the President of the Club and Mr Johnson. Replies to the welcome came from most of the schools including Whangarei, Wesley, St Stephens and Aorere. Each day forty boys attended from St Stephens School. After the welcome was a dance, with a supper put on by the Maori Women's Welfare League. The first of the talks commenced next morning at 9 a.m., and group discussions followed morning tea. These discussions proved very popular with all the students, because they were able to voice their opinions. At lunch time, the islanders of our club dished up their umu and island food and it was devoured in next to no time. Indoor basketball proved very popular with the students. The talks commenced again at about 1 p.m., followed by more group discussions. After tea, the Otara College Polynesian Club put on a few items, then called upon each school to put on an item. A short dance followed, with supper at about 10 p.m. Because the band failed to arrive, both boys and girls went into one dorm and sang songs until midnight. After the girls went back to their dorms the boys continued with action songs and hakas until they all fell asleep at 3.30. One good thing about the late nights was that we could teach our visitors songs and dances, and they could do the same for us. After breakfast on Sunday was the religious service, led by Bishop Panapa and the Rev. Sione, while about five boys started on the hangi. Morning tea was ready at 10.30 and was followed by group discussions. Lunch was a terrific affair, with three sittings and many important people from the Education Department present for the final day. After lunch was the Speech Contest which was well worth listening to, with the first prize going to a pupil from Epsom Girls' Grammar School. Now came the saddest part of the whole weekend, the official farewell. Everyone had to part with their new friends, and the general wish of all the delegates was that the conference could continue for a few more days. The conference was very successful and special thanks go to Mrs Kirikiri and her husband, Mr and Mrs Mitchell, the guest speakers and the ladies from the M.W.W.L. and many adults who gave their weekend up to make this conference the big success it was. David McDonald and Nicholas Fong. Form 5R, Otara College