locked the door behind me … just in case. The dog ran crouching to me numbly asking for reassurance. ‘Nothing there,’ I said, and the dog shook, and whined miserably. So I went to bed. What is it about bed-clothes that gives you that childhood comfort, the gripping of the sheets about your chin when your body is stiff with uneasiness that you won't confess, not even to yourself? There was no more tapping, but still the dog was restless, moving in circles so that nothing could creep up behind him, and high-pitched growls of apprehension were coming from the back of his throat. And then he backed up against the bed, rigid and shaking. The noise came up the corridor. Tap. And then two shuffles. Tap, shuffle, shuffle. An old man crouched over a walking stick. Tap, shuffle, shuffle. Who is it, what is it, the questions tear through your mind, and the dog is shaking, shaking, and you are getting out of bed, hardly knowing what you are doing. Tap, shuffle, shuffle. Closer, closer. You look out of the door. Tap, shuffle, shuffle. There is no-one there.

The Primate of New Zealand, the Most Rev. N. A. Lesser, has announced that the Rev. Canon Te H. (Dan) Kaa, B.A., L.Th., who comes originally from Rangitukia on the East Coast, has accepted an invitation to serve in the South Island. ‘Canon Kaa will be licensed to the Dean of Christchurch Cathedral, but will exercise a roving commission to work among Maori people throughout the diocese. In addition to this work, the Bishop of Christchurch will readily and willingly agree to Canon Kaa's being available from time to time to assist Maori work in the diocese of Dunedin and Nelson. ‘Canon Kaa took his degree in 1951 and his L. Th. in 1932. He has served all his ministry in the Waiapu Diocese, having been Vicar of Taupo, Waipawa Maori pastorate and Vicar of Moteo Waipatu (Hastings) since 1950. He has served Waiapu Diocese in many capacities, including membership of the standing committee and Maori mission committee.’

Many Maoris Elected to Local Bodies Maori candidates won seats on a number of local bodies in the elections on October 13, and in a number of districts Maori candidates made local history by being the first members of their race to gain local body selection. In Auckland, Mr A. Awatere, a welfare officer and former commanding officer of the Maori Battalion, was elected to Auckland City Council. Others to pioneer Maori representation were Mr L. Rangi (Hamilton City Council), Mr W. Proctor (Pukekohe Borough Council), Mr T. N. Tuhimata (Tuakau Borough Council), and Mr Sam Mihaere, Palmerston North City Council. Mr Mihaere is a Maori Welfare Officer. The first Maori to be elected to Ngaruawahia Borough Council for about 20 years, Mr C. B. Ingram, topped the poll. Mr P. Tapene was returned to Onehunga Borough Council, also topping the poll. Two Maoris were elected to Rotorua City Council, the deputy-mayor (Mr P. H. Leonard) and a newcomer, Mr R. Paraire. A Maori, Mr R. P. Emery, was re-elected to Te Kuiti Borough Council, and Moerewa, Northland, gained its first all-Maori county town board, and Manurewa Borough Council includes a Maori, Mr W. Pratney. In the Wellington district, Mr Ralph Love was elected to Wellington City Council, while his nephew, Mr Peter Love, was elected to Petone Borough Council. Mr Steve Watene was re-elected to Petone Borough Council. ? A major step in familiarising primary school children with the Maori language is now being taken by the Education Department, the Chief Inspector of Primary Schools, Mr J. Ewing has said in Hamilton. Mr Ewing told the annual conference of the New Zealand Education Board's Association that a bulletin entitled ‘About the Maori Language’ was now being prepared. It was not a formal textbook but would describe aspects of the Maori language, pronunciation, numerals and everyday phrases.