Battalion Memorial Centre unmistakably belongs to our own country, for it owes much of its power and beauty to the fact that it draws its strength from both of the cultural traditions of New Zealand. For this reason, it may well prove to be something of a landmark in the history of the development of New Zealand architecture. The 14 carved panels on the facade, each of them eight feet high by 1 ft 6 in wide, were made by the well-known carver Mr Kelly Kereama of Feilding. Inside the building, tukutuku panels have been employed at the same time for their decorative effect and as acoustic tiles, and there is intricate scroll work (kowhaiwhai) on the exposed wooden beams. The ground floor has a large main hall with a stage, and toilet and office facilities. On the first floor is a dining room, a kitchen and storage rooms. The second floor has a small hall, sleeping rooms to accommodate visitors, and a caretaker's quarters. Each floor has an area of 3750 sq. ft.

Other Buildings by John Scott As well as having built a great many private homes—many of them for clients with limited finance, but some for people who could afford larger and more expensive homes—Mr Scott has designed three other public buildings. All of them, like the Palmerston North Memorial Centre, are widely admired for their beauty and originality of design. They are St John's Chapel at Havelock North, St Patrick's School for Girls at Napier, and the ‘Futuna’ Chapel at the Marist Retreat House in Karori, Wellington. Ans Westra Photo Mr John Scott of Hastings, the architect who designed the Maori Battalion Memorial and supervised its building, is widely recognised as being one of the leading architects in the country; and much interest has been shown in his work by visiting architects from overseas. Both Mr Scott's parents are of part-Maori descent. His father, Mr Charles (Mangu) Scott, who is half Maori and half Scottish, is an Arawa from Ohinemutu, while his mother, formerly Kathleen Hiraani Blake, from Taranaki, is of quarter-Maori descent. Mr Scott and his wife, formerly Joan Moffat, from Otaki, live at Haumoana near Hastings. They have four children. As well as designing ambitious public buildings such as the Centre at Palmerston North, Mr Scott often designs family homes for clients who do not have very much money to spend. This house breaks away from many of the stereotypes of lower-cost housing, yet cost, no more than the average State house. Like the lower-cost houses discussed on pages 23–5 of this issue of ‘Te Ao Hou’, it has a sunny, sheltered verandah as an extension of the living area.