his pocket; it was a quarter past five. “The T.A.B. closes at half-past,” he thought. “But I think I'll get there all right if I step out a bit faster. I will miss my tea though, that's for sure.” There were still a few minutes left before closing time when he reached the T.A.B. The place was nearly vacant. The old gentleman behind the third cage was still there. He was raking a few silver coins from a desk into his hand ready to put them away into the small tin for locking up. “Excuse me,” old Bill said. The man looked up from where he was working, dumped the money into the tin and closed it. “I was in here earlier on,” old Bill went on. “Yes”, the old gentleman said. “I put five bob on ‘Bright Star’ at Forbury tomorrow. I gave you ten bob and I think you gave me too much change.” “Too much!” the old gentleman said. “Yes. I think you gave me 2/6 too much. I want to return it.” Old Bill put the half crown down on the counter and slid it across to the old man. The cashier looked at him. He looked at old Bill Evans for a long time watching him full in the face. Old Bill had his eyes down looking at the half crown. He was not aware of the man watching him. “Thank you,” the old gentleman said. “There's not many people would do that.” “Perhaps not,” old Bill said. “Well, I hope it holds for tomorrow. ‘Bright Star’ was never much good on a heavy track.” He turned to go. “Hold on a minute,” the old gentleman in the birdcage said. “You want to know who's going to win tomorrow?” “Who doesn't?” Old Bill replied. “This is just a tip, mind you,” the old genlteman said. He looked through the bars of the birdcage into the room behind old Bill Evans and in a lowered voice he said,” ‘Honey Boy’. Mind you, there's nothing sure. I'll put it on for you now if you like. You can take him instead of ‘Bright Star’. I don't think ‘Bright Star’ would have done any good anyway.” His voice was still lowered. He looked behind him sharply, then he turned back to old Bill again. “Do you want him?” “This is from you?” old Bill Evans asked. It was he who was watching the other's face now. “Yes, it is from me,” the old bookie said. There was a light dancing in his eyes. Old Bill Evans' face broke into a grin. “Well, in that case I'd be a fool to say no. Yes, on your word, I'll take ‘Honey Boy’ in place of ‘Bright Star’. I'll still only make it five bob, though.” “Right-oh”, the old gentleman said. “There's not many men who are as honest as you. There's not many men would have done what you did just now.” The two men looked at one another for a while. “Thanks”, old Bill said. He now had a ticket for “Honey Boy” instead of “Bright Star”. “If he comes in”, he was thinking as he walked out the door on his way to the Chinese restaurant in Nash Street, “If he comes in tomorrow, it'll just go to show.” On the afternoon of the following day an old gentleman who worked for the Post and Telegraph as a linesman and who lived in a boarding house up a slight but long drag from the city was richer by £30. “Bright Star” ran a good race but at no stage stage he threaten the winners nor look as though he might win.

NEWS IN BRIEF Forty-five student teachers from the Auckland Teachers' College stayed at the Waitetoko Pa this week. Under the leadership of Mr H. Lambert, lecturer in Maori studies, and Miss Nelson, lecturer in physical education, the party was introduced to the communal life of the Maori. Waihi Pa and other Maori centres as well as homes were visited by the students. They saw young Maoris at lessons and at play at the Tauranga-Taupo Maori School and at the Tokaanu District High School. Their studies ended with visits to Kinleith and Wairakei. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ Three Maori men from Opotiki took up scholarships last May for a short general course of study at Massey College. These are the first of what is hoped will be annual scholarships sponsored by tribal executives in the Opotiki district. This year one of them, awarded to 19-year-old W. Maxwell, of Opotiki, has been given by the Eastern Bay of Plenty Young Farmers' Council. Those to T. Takao, 24 and F. Iopata, 30, have been recommended by the Waimana and Ruatoki tribal executives respectively. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ A committee of Maori lay people has been formed to advise the Bishop of Auckland, the Rt Rev. E. A. Gowing, on the work of the church among Maoris. This was announced by the Archdeacon of Waimate, the Ven. P. Tipene, at a conference of the clergy held at Kaitaia. The committee, the result of a request made of the Bishop at Te Kao recently, would probably comprise one representative from every parish. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ The newly appointed Maori Welfare Officer for Taranaki Mrs D. Walden, began duties last May. She is a school teacher and a well-known basketball selector in Taranaki, and is secretary both of the Wharepuni tribal committee and of the North Ngati Ruanui tribal executive.