downstream. Hamea, of course, slew the taniwha, ngarara or dragon, after a fearful struggle. Details of this battle, of the weapons of offence and defence, of the tactics employed and other data which would be extremely valuable to an historian, are sadly missing from all accounts I have heard. It has been recorded, however, that the death struggles of the taniwha were terrific and protracted. As, at last, his corpse stiffened in rigor mortis, his tail stood stiffly upright like a “taia” or the post of a palisade, and is to be seen there, to this day, in petrified form. Hence the name of that place “Hiku Taia” from Hiku (tail) and Taia (the post of a palisade.) There are some folk, of course, (there always are) who offer a more mundane explanation. These folk say that “Hiku-taia” means simply the tail of the tde” and refers to that part of the river where the actual flow of the tide ceases. Anyway, that is the story, as well as I understand it, of how Paeroa got its name, and how Hiku Taia and Waikino got theirs. Moreover, I have been to Paeroa and have been shown the cave of Urea and the pool of Hotaiki; and also to Hikutaia where I have been shown the rock which they claim is the stiffened tail of Urea the taniwha. I have mentioned the other meanings which some folk attach to the names, and you can take your choice. All I can say is that I would take an exceedingly poor view of anyone who would prefer a ‘long ridge’ to a ‘taniwha's perch’ or the mere ‘turning of the tide’ to the ‘death throes of a ngarara.’

GREAT DAY FOR TE KAO At a historic ceremony held in the Te Kao Hall last October, electricity was switched on for the first time after many years of waiting. Mr Rikihana Etana, Chairman of Te Aupouri Trust Board, presided and welcomed the visitors: Mr Riddell, Chairman, Members and Executive Officers of the Bay of Islands Electric Power Board, Mr J. A. McKain, District Officer, Maori Affairs Department, Whangarei, and his Deputy, Mr H. F. Waetford. Two elders of the tribe, Messrs Karena Wiki and Pako Heka, also added their welcome and their remarks were ably interpreted by Mr H. R. Hadfield, Welfare Officer, Kaitaia. Speakers dwelt on the efforts made to obtain electricity over the years, originally started off by the late Judge Acheson and his successors including Judge Prichard. Mr Riddell, Chairman of the Bay of Islands Electric Power Board, explained why it had taken so long to bring power to Te Kao but the link-up had at long last been achieved as a result of the recent extensive Land Development throughout the area by the Maori Affairs Department. Mr McKain, District Officer, mentioned that large investments by the Tai Tokerau and Te Aupouri Maori Trust Boards in the Bay of Islands Power Board construction loans had undoubtedly spurred matters along and he expressed the hope that many of the younger people who had left the district would now be persuaded to return to their homes and farm lands now enjoying the benefits of electricity. Mr Dan Simeon (Te Ngapuhi), foreman in charge of the construction gang then gave instructions by the radio telephone for the high tension switches to be closed to liven the line. Mr Riddell then escorted Mr and Mrs A. H. Watt, who for many years taught the children of Te Kao, to the main switch in the hall and the lights were switched on. A great cheer went up from those present and the women burst into a beautiful hymn of thanks. A prayer by Mr Hadfield concluded the ceremony. Everybody adjourned to the dining hall where a truly marvellous meal was served by the women of Te Kao.

COMMITTEE ON MAORI LANGUAGE APPOINTED In order to foster the teaching of the Maori language, the Minister of Education, the Hon. P. O. S. Skoglund, has established a committee to advise the Department of Education on how the language should be taught in schools. It will also study the problem of providing suitable textbooks for use in post-primary schools, make recommendations on the content and form of such textbooks and assist in assembling and preparing for publication Maori literature for use in the schools. Dr K. J. Sheen, senior inspector of post-primary schools, Wellington, is chairman; the members are: Mr H. R. Waititi, St Stephen's College, Bombay, Auckland; Mr S. M. Mead, head-teacher at Waimarama Maori School, Hawkes Bay; Dr B. G. Biggs, lecturer in Maori Studies, Auckland University; Mrs E. B. Ranapia, Correspondence School, Wellington, and Mr W. T. Ngata, secretary of the Maori Purposes Fund Board, Wellington.