so low that the bus coasted across. Wonderful! But no sooner had we arrived at Ruatoria than the heavens opened. How the rain fell. It simply poured down. Our opening hymn was sung to a mere handful and the house didn't get any bigger. However to those who had braved the storm, we gave of our best, all the while thinking that this time we would be drawing money out to pay our expenses instead of banking. Imagine our joy to find that after paying our bills we did still have £16 in hand. But the fun had just begun. On our return trip we became more and more apprehensive. In places the road was under water, and at Tikitiki the creek was flowing over the bridge. Sure enough, the Awatere was in flood, and though one family went across on their excellent river horses, it was considered far too dangerous for the majority. So we went up to the marae, thinking that we could at least get some sleep, as it is equipped with mattresses, pillows and linen. But we found that all but the scruffiest of the mattresses and pillows had disappeared. Apparently they had been lent to a local resident, whose daughter or son was celebrating a birthday. The children spread out the bedding that was left, and slept as best they could. Most of us ladies tried to find some comfort in the bus, but it obviously wasn't built as a caravan. The men did their best to get a fire going with bits from boxes and other debris that they managed to rake up. So we did get a hot drink in the morning, and for breakfast we ate the remains of the last night's supper. The Awatere did not drop until 11 o'clock, and then was only negotiable on horseback. Mr Dewes crossed first as he had to go home to get his old bus which was on the Horoera side of the river, thank goodness. The rest of us crossed in twos and threes on the five available horses. This bad weather dogged us during most of our fund raising efforts, but the people persevered. A Bring and Buy scheduled for Te Araroa had to be held at Horoera so as not to be a complete loss, as the river came up overnight and everyone had backed furiously the day before. Two days before the day on which we were to hold a Canteen at a Rep. Football Match, the Awatere was bank to bank, with logs and debris sweeping down. Luckily by Saturday the tractor was able to cross, so we were able to add £50 to our mounting fund. To us teachers, the dangers and experiences encountered during the money-making period were of far greater note than the actual tour, but to the locals it was just one of those things, and to the children it wasn't worth even talking about—the Awatere River was merely a nuisance in their language.

The Tour Considering that most of them had never been away from Te Araroa, the children proved to be very good travellers. At Omaio, where we lunched, the group was asked to do a few items at a Youth Club Meeting, and without any show of shyness they all performed creditably. This was pleasing, because now we could be sure that coaxing would not be necessary if the children were called upon to sing. We had a breakdown near Omarumutu but otherwise the trip was uneventful—not to the children of course—they saw limitless things of note to them. We arrived at Kokohinau Pa, Te Teko, that evening, and were treated like royalty. The following morning, just before our departure, or hosts handed back our donation towards expenses. This gesture was greatly appreciated by us all, and their generosity will be remembered by the people of Horoera. In a like manner were we treated at Rotorua. We stayed at Tinohopu, and the Ngati Whakauwe Kotakitanga members were wonderful to us. The children were thrilled to see their kai cooked in a ngawha. On the way to Rotorua we visited the Tasman Pulp and Paper Mill at Kawerau. The biggest thrill of all was when everyone was taken to the top of the lookout in a lift—the first lift for most of the them. There were many ‘first times’ for these isolated children, and it is surprising how much they retained in their minds.

Auckland Our stay in Auckland was highly organised and most enjoyable. We were all disappointed with conditions at the Waipapa Hostel, and felt that it is a pity that this rather disreputable-looking building should be there as an example of how some are content to live. It is no wonder that many Europeans look upon us as poorer types than they—they don't discriminate and realise that there are differing standards in all races. But we were lucky to have all the children at the one place, as being billeted would have been too overwhelming for most of them. We used the Maori Community Centre as our base, and ate three satisfying meals a day prepared by one of their people. Our overall charge was substantially lowered by the Maori Community Centre Committee, a wonderful gesture and greatly appreciated. The week flew by. We visited the Fire Station, the Railway Station, Dominion Motors Assembly Plant, 1ZB, the Post Office, the Milk Treatment Plant, the Museum, Planetarium and Zoo. We went for a ride on a ferry, and across the Harbour Bridge. A ride to the top of Mt. Eden at night brought home the size of Auckland City. Until then they had only seen it in sections, but the lights just went on and on. The visit to the zoo was thoroughly enjoyed. To actually see animals such as lions and tigers … But all good things must come to an end, so Continued on page 60