Department's usual responsibilities and nothing came of it. In 1956, a boy fell off the bridge at the very time the Minister for Railways, then the Hon. McAlpine, was visiting Tauranga. He came to the river and saw people dragging for the boy's body. Later, he offered to subsidize the footbridge £ for £, which would leave £11,000 to be raised from local sources. Maori leaders attended a meeting called to find this money. At this meeting they offered £2,000 and the labour for building the causeway, estimated at another £3,000. The rest of the cost was made the responsibility of the local bodies and the government. The leaders returned and reported to the tribe what they had done. The offer had been made on the spur of the moment and without previous consultation. For a community of the size and resources of Matapihi it was huge. There was a stunned silence—then agreement. The people realised what it would mean, but tribal prestige was at stake. A four year plan was made. A Combined Tribal Footbridge Appeal Committee was formed, closely linking the previously not always united Tukairangi and Ngati Tapu subtribes. Surrounding communities from the Ngaiterangi and Ngati Ranginui tribes joined in. Chairman is Doc Nathan (Tukairangi), secretary Mrs Myra Jacobs, and among the other members was Mr Turi Te Kani, the chairman of the Ngati Tapu tribal committee. Some donations came in at once. Over fifty residents assigned five shillings per week from their wages for the bridge. Employers helped by passing on the assignments and where this was impossible, the thrift club savings scheme was used. Net income from this scheme is £13 10s. per week. Further money was raised by concerts put on by the Matapihi concert party and youth club. Local experts trained the people in haka, poi and other items. A Maori seven-piece band gave its quota by supplying rock-'n-roll sessions. Basketball and rugby field days helped swell the funds. Matakana Island and Te Puna followed the time-honoured custom of bringing gifts for the marae. Papamoa put on a fund-raising dance for the bridge. The Cargoworkers' Union of Tauranga, and the basketball club also made a donation. Throughout, the women looked after the enormous volume of catering. The press and prominent local figures were behind the movement. Less than nine months from the start of the four year plan, the Matapihi residents forwarded their first cheque of £500 to the Minister of Railways, with over £100 in hand towards the next instalment. The building of the bridge has now started with the placing of 4,000 cubic yards of rock near the causeway. Soon the placing and trimming of the causeway will start and the men will take turns in regular weekend working bees to provide the promised labour. The bridge will make a fundamental difference to the community, not only by giving safe access to Tauranga, but also because the project may well bring about a changed outlook and stimulate further social progress. The new homes, and the successful gardening competitions are helping enormously in this change. As often happens, individual and community progress go hand in hand.

A CENTURY OF RACING [continued from page 29] The officers at that time were Messrs W. H. Simcox (patron), Ropata Te Ao (President), and H. F. Eager (secretary). Meetings were advertised for Queen's and Prince of Wales' Birthdays each year with prize money in the Spring and Autumn of 1895–6 at £250 and £450 respectively. One of the oldest identities at present living in Otaki is Mr O. J. D'Ath of Rangiuru Road. He became Secretary of the Club in 1900, and held that position for twenty-five years. An interesting link with the past, Mr D'Ath still retains many vivid recollections of the early formation of the Club. His home is only a short distance from the site of the old Rangiuru course where they continued to hold meetings until 1912. It was in that year, according to Mr D'Ath that they were finally established on their present location opposite the Otaki Railway Station. Each year thousands of racing enthusiasts continue to find the ‘Otaki Maori’ a popular attraction. It is the equal of any other country club in New Zealand and the comparatively high stake money offered ensures at each meeting a good field of top-class performers. It is not surprising at most meetings to find that many of the best horses on the card are owned and trained locally. Well-known turf personalities such as G. Walton. W. McEwan, A. D. Webster. J. Houlihan, and the Maori trainer, C. Enoka are among those who live near, or have their stables in close proximitiy to the race-course. With several large scale plans for improvement under consideration the present committee are constantly reviewing the problem of public amenities and expansion. Already nearing completion is the construction of a modern cafeteria which covers an area of 7,000 square feet and will cost an estimated £17,000. The Secretary of the Club is Mr T. Winiata, a brother of the late Nepia Winiata, who for several years held office as President until his death at Levin recently. This position has since been filled by the appointmitte the Club has maintained its long-standing reputation in the racing world.