“A child of whom? A child of idle amusement. A child of whom? A child of adultery, of illicit liaison …” It was believed that difficult childbirth was due either to some breach of tapu or to adultery, and until the woman had confessed the name of the true father and his genealogy had been recited, the child would not come forth. It must have been a rather grim business for all concerned. Children were usually welcome and shown much affection and indulgence, a fact commented upon by some of the early missionaries whose memories of their own Victorian upbringing would no doubt be very different. Marriage could be dissolved by desertion, because of adultery, and of course by death. “It was not unusual for widows to commit suicide in their excessive grief … husbands might commit suicide on the death of a wife, but I have found no record of an instance.” Remarriage was expected of widows, and it was possible, too, for deserted or deserting wives, providing that they weathered the storm. Dr Biggs completes his study with an appendix in both English and Maori, written by Wiremu Maihi Te Rangi-Koheke of the Arawa tribe about 1850. It is a detailed account of courtship, liaison ending in an irregular marriage, a taua muru, pregnancy, birth, and the associated rites. Here at last is what we have been searching for, the lost

THREE OXFORD DICTIONARIES SUITABLE FOR MAORI SCHOOLS These dictionaries have been compiled more especially for those learning English as a second language. The definitions are straightforward and lucid, and there are many illustrations to supplement them:— * The Progressive English Dictionary (Elementary) Boards 6/6 NZ Limp 5/- NZ * An English Reader's Dictionary (Intermediate) 9/6 NZ The Advanced Learner's Dictionary of Current English (Advanced) 26/- NZ * School teachers are invited to write for inspection copies OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS BOX 185, WELLINGTON

past recovered and “they”—the true and only owners of those museum goods—brought to vivid life, speaking and moving across the printed page. It is not clear if Dr Biggs is the translator, but whoever it is should be commended for such a masterly piece of prose. Apart from being a rare source of information about Maori marriage customs, Dr Biggs' book is an exercise in social anthropological research based on certain theories and hypotheses. It is, as the sub-title tells us, An Essay in Reconstruction. Dr Biggs is not, thank heaven, one of those anthropologists who are apt to turn up their noses at any data which has not been dug up, cannot be carbon-dated, or neatly labelled and mounted. In his opening chapter, Dr Biggs stresses the value of accounts by early observers (both European and Maori), myth and legend, historical tradition, poetry and genealogies, as source material, and discusses at some length how such material can most profitably be used. With his training in linguistics (a Ph.D. at Indiana University and field work in the New Guinea Highlands) and his knowledge of the Maori language (the first teacher of the Maori language in the University of N.Z.) as well as his anthropological training, Dr Biggs is uniquely equipped to draw on such material. Some of the Maori texts quoted have not been translated into English before, let alone used as a guide to the structure and dynamics of Maori society. It must be said, however, that Dr Biggs' verifications of theory, method and source, couched in technical terms and involved syntax, may prove difficult and exasperating to the reader who is primarily interested in learning what Maori marriage consisted of rather than how the author tackled his job. On the other hand, the book is the first of a series of Monographs on Maori culture published by the Polynesian Society, and should be accepted as such. It will be of inestimable value to students in the field, and it is to be hoped that the authors who complete the series will be able to maintain the high standard set by Dr Biggs. ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ Mr Whatarangi Winiata, from Otaki, who studied for an advanced accountancy degree in Michigan, U.S.A., under a Rotary scholarship until last July, came for a flying visit to New Zealand this winter, addressed a number of Rotary Clubs throughout the country, left for Michigan again for a further two years under a Ngarimu scholarship to do a doctorate in the field of business administration. It is perhaps less well-known that before departing he added further to a notable career by marrying Miss Frances Winifred Aretama, granddaughter of Tokoaitua Morrison. This charming young lady was a Rotorua representative basketballer for five years and won North Island selection. She has gone to Michigan now with her husband.