Since 1940 the Maori quota of student teachers entering Training Colleges has increased from four to 60. One out of every three teachers in Maori schools is now a Maori, and more Maoris are applying for teaching posts at non-Maori schools. * * * * The first Maori to be awarded an overseas scholarship, Maharaia Winiata, has had his term as holder of a Nuffield Fellowship extended by a year. On leave of absence from his Maori Adult Education post at Auckland, Mr Winiata is at Edinburgh University studying race relations. * * * * Private Ben Katene, of Okaiawa, South Taranaki, was leader of the Maori haka team in the New Zealand Coronation Contingent. He organised several performances both in England and on the voyage. * * * * The first three representative Rugby teams to challenge Waikato for the Ranfurly Shield in the 1953 season were captained by well-known Maori Rugby players. Bay of Plenty were led by A. Douglas; North Auckland by J. B. Smith; and Taranaki by L. Hohaia. * * * * ‘One of the most significant events since Christianity was introduced to the Maori’ is how the New Zealand Free Lance described the first meeting of the new Presbyterian Maori Synod at Ohope Beach, near Whakatane, last July. Presbyterian Maori mission work is to be completely reorganised, with a gradual transfer of powers to the Maori Synod, and using Whakatane as a training centre for Maori ministers. The Rt. Rev. James Baird, dedicating the synod, said the Maori must be free to express the Gospel in accordance with his natural genius and cultural characteristics. * * * * When Mr Wiremu Ngata started his Adult Education class in the Maori language in Wellington recently he found sixty people waiting at the first lecture, and had to shift this unexpectedly large number from the classroom to the Y.W.C.A. hall.

Sporting Events Although we are in fairly close touch with sports and sportsmen generally it is not possible for any one person to keep abreast of all events and developments, especially in some of the more remote districts. As many of our people live in these districts, and because their sporting activities often have significance in the wider sphere of Maoridom, we should be pleased to hear at any time of inter-tribal or inter-district events.

Maori Women's Welfare League members in Te Kuiti planted twenty-four young totara trees in the pa grounds to commemorate the Coronation. * * * * Four young Maoris looking forward to a busy period in British show business are Joe Ward Holmes, aged 27, of Lower Hutt; Pat Rawiri, 24, of Ruatahuna; Mac Hata, 23, of Opotiki; and Henry Gilbert, 27, of Waikaremoana. The first three sing, and Henry Gilbert accompanies them on the guitar, as ‘The New Zealanders' Maori Quartet’. They landed in London last July, and are already appearing in B.B.C. Commonwealth of Song programmes, on the stage, and in television. Their repertoire includes not only Maori songs in harmony, and dances and haka in costumes, but also Samoan, Fijian and Hawaiian numbers. The quartet was formed in Wellington in 1950. * * * * The Whakatohea Tribal Executive, wanting to contribute to the well-being of local schools, has decided to form a tribal education committee. * * * * Mr Whitu Pitama, still in his thirties, has been chosen as upokorunanga of the Ngai-Tahu tribe, North Canterbury. * * * * A sporting record which it would be hard to excel in New Zealand was held this year by Te Aute College. Of the 150 boys attending the college, 140 played in competition Rugby. The college had eight teams in the Hastings competition.