were Puhiwahine and Teehi. The last-named was of the same age as the writer and it was on account of the vowel similarity in our names (the writer's was Peehi) that the teacher suggested that mine be changed to Pei. The writer likes to think that he raised no difficulty over the matter because of a youthful sense of chivalry. George died in the Taumarunui Public Hospital in 1919, and was buried alongside his wife, Te Waiata, in the hill tribal cemetery of his wife's people at Te Koura, ten miles north of Taumarunui. Only two sons survived him, Thomas, who died recently, and John who now lives at Oruaiwi. With regard to the elder brother, John, his life after he married was spent with his wife's people. Her name was Riria, a daughter of Aperahama, a chief of the Parewahawaha sub-tribe. John and Riria had a family of five daughters, Te Raunatia, Ema Te Kune, Roka, Te Keehi, and Meipera, and one son, Te Oti (George). A cutting of an obituary article in “The Advocate” (1917) gives a brief note that, on John's return to New Zealand from Europe, “where his education was completed, he joined the armed constabulary and served for some considerable time.” This note would indicate that he was a member of the armed constabulary for some time after he was married, as one of his two surviving daughters, Te Keehi and Meipera, is in her eighties. John farmed on his wife's land at Ohinepuhiawe for many years. “The Advocate” article also refers to his literary contributions to that paper. The writer has only one cutting of these literary contributions. It is dated 11 December, 1915:—

ELECTRA Congratulations from the Maoris of Lower Rangitikei Oh, hail Electra, Goddess bright, Bulls you illume with radiant light, Indeed, it is a glorious sight, Sign of prosperity. Now darkest night is turned to day Bultonians now see clear the way, And every heart is made light and gay By electricity. Ah! wondrous electricity, A power supreme all must agree; Its uses unto all are free, Now to Bulls especially. The poem continues for sixteen stanzas and shows considerable wit, eloquence and versatility in rhyming. Rangitorihi, the daughter of Te Kune Ema, the second eldest of John's daughters, was a favourite of his to whom he often recited his poems. She still remembers three fragments of these poems; one of them eulogizes education; another, dealing with the First World War, declares that the human ‘instinct to fight’ is ineradicable; while the third celebrates the death of Captain Scott in the Antarctic. According to George, his brother, John could speak seven languages. The late Sir Apirana Ngata, who met John on a number of occasions, is the writer's authority for the description of him as a ‘formidable figure lost to the public life of this country.’ His impeccable speech and fine delivery, his ready wit and extensive vocabulary, said Sir Apirana, was a treat to hear and a thing at which to marvel. A fine tribute, indeed, from one of the greatest orators this country has ever had. John was a particularly well-read man. He had a wide knowledge and clear understanding of public matters, and was a keen student of world affairs. Among other stations in life, with his academic qualifications, John could have filled with distinction the highest post in the diplomatic service. It was rather a tragic sort of thing, and queer quirk of fate, that the academically well-equipped sons of Puhiwahine should have been ‘all the voyage of their life bound in shallows.’ They were men of independent character who never sought favours from anyone. As has often happened through the ages, it could have been a case of envy against men of high intellect, and a denial of selection to high office of such men by the perversities of democracy. John died on Thursday, the 1st of November, 1917, at his home at Ohinepuhiawe, and was buried in the tribal cemetery nearby. (to be continued in our next issue)

MAORI CARVING “In New Zealand, a vigorous climate and an inexhaustible supply of suitable timber stimulated a greater development in the woodwork of houses and the Maori builders embarked on a course which was to culminate in the highest peak of wood-carving in Polynesia.”—Sir Peter Buck. “Superficial observation in the past has dwelt on the grotesque and barbaric side of Maori art, to the exclusion of the decorative designs which reflect the height of Maori genius. The forms of tree and flower, of birds and cloud and mountain, the story of the tribes, the soul and romance of native life, are expressed in these designs, evolved during many centuries of life in a country of great natural beauty. It would indeed have been strange had the Maori not absorbed the spirit of this beauty and interpreted it as best he could in the materials at his hand.”—James Cowan.