Award

Tu Tangata, Issue 36, 1 June 1987, Page 20

Award

Daniel Bedggood of Ngawha Springs, Bay of Islands has won the 1986 ATI School of Engineering’s David Ruha Memorial Award. This honour is given to the electrical apprentice who has made the most effort in the academic year.

Daniel, an ex-pupil of Northland College, Kaikohe, is well remembered by Mr Peter Coupe, Deputy Principal. “He was always a good boy. When he was moved into an accelerant group he toped the fourth form in mathematics.”

The cup and certificate were presented to Daniel by The Deputy Prime Minister, Mr Geoffrey Palmer who was guest speaker at the Annual Ceremony

of Awards held early in April. Eighteen-year-old, Daniel intends to gain technician’s qualifications in the electrical field before travelling overseas. Daniel’s mother, Lana, is justifiably proud of her son’s achievements and his ambitions, and so, too, are his former teachers, and his friends.

FUN WITH FLAX by Mick Pfendergrast Published by Reed-Methuen Priced at $19.95

FUN WITH FLAX is another book of distinction of Reed-Methuen. Mick Pendergrast is well known for his well researched and superlative books on specific aspects of Maori culture. His latest offering, Fun With Flax, is no less well researched, and is in fact, the culmination of many years of collecting relevant material on his subject, and at the same time, learning in a practical way, the intricacies of working with flax. Begun as a hobby, Pendergrast, at the instigation of friends, began to seriously consider writing a book on his findings. This he has done with skill and distinction. To many people, flax is just an attractive, ornamental addition to a garden or park, but to the early Maori settlers, flax was once an integral part of their day to day existence. Flax they found, was a versatile substitute for the coco-

nut palms, pandanus and bark cloth trees which were so necessary to them in tropical Polynesia. After much experimentation, flax was to prove a life saving commodity, containing as it did, vital properties in many areas. Soft fibre from its leaves was utilized for the making of warm and attractive clothing, while raw materials were used for the making of baskets, sleeping mats, lines for the trapping of birds or fishing. Raw materials were ideal for the making of a hundred and one items essential to the maori every day living pattern, flowers provided nectar, roots were used for medicine and pollen was used for face powder.

Flax became part of a ritual and tradition and was always treated with the greatest respect when being handled, for what ever purpose. Today, flax is still used by the Maori people in many of the old traditional ways. Mick Prendergrast, in his new book, shows an intriguing selection of things to make from the humble flax. These include birds, balls, belts, whistles, fish, stars, in fact fifty different items which will give delight to people of all ages. Fun With Flax will be a great asset to resources, Kohanga Reo, schools at all levels, craft groups and anyone interested in learning the skills of plaiting. Fun With Flax, with its glossy cover, its compact dimensions, fine photography by Maureen Lander, and one step at a time, easy to follow directions, is a book that will be used many times by a great many people.