? Mr W. A. Te Punga of Upper Hutt has been awarded a two-year post-graduate scholarship by the Ngarimu and 28th Maori Battalion Memorial Scholarship Fund Board. Mr Te Punga, who is at present doing research work at Wallaceville animal research station, will study for a doctorate in immunology at London University. ? A three-quarter acre park is being developed alongside the Ratana School in memory of the elders from different tribes who supported the Ratana movement in its early years. Rhododendrons, azaleas and native trees and shrubs will be planted in the park, which is being planned by an officer of the Department of Agriculture together with Mrs I. M. Ratana, M.P. A feature of the park will be carved memorial gates, which are being made by Mr K. Kereama, of Feilding. It is planned to complete the project by the end of the year. ? Miss Lily Mitai, who comes from Opotiki, left recently for Niue Island to take up the position of maternity nurse in the hospital there. Miss Mitai passed her State Nursing Examination at Whakatane Hospital in 1959. After this she nursed in a number of hospitals, then joined the Health Department and was appointed District Health Nurse in Opotiki. Later she undertook her plunket training in Dunedin, then resumed her work in Gisborne. Miss Mitai is the daughter of Mrs and the late Mr Ranginui Mitai of Otara, Opotiki. ? The Government is considering combining the departments of Maori Affairs and Island Territories, but a final decision will not be made before the end of this year. Common functions, such as accounts, stores and legal services, will in some cases be integrated gradually before then. The Prime Minister, Mr Holyoake, has said that the merging of the two departments might result in a more efficient and cheaper organisation, but that the main consideration in coming to a decision would, of course, be the interests of the people whom the departments serve. Mr. J. M. McEwen will continue as permanent head of both departments. ? The Ngati Pikiao senior team from Rotorua had a clear win in the haka and action song events at the annual Ratana youth meeting at Masterton last Easter. Ngati Pikiao only lost half a point to win for the second year in succession. Ratana Pa was second and Hinekorako, from Wairoa, took third place. In the junior section, Ratana Pa won the action songs and was second in the haka. Hinekorako took first place in the haka and came second in the action songs. In the Rugby finals, Akarana won both senior and junior matches. Mr Gary Raumati Hook, aged 22, of Wellington, is to be the first holder of the Queen Elizabeth II post-graduate fellowship awarded by the Maori Education Foundation. Mr Hook, an ex-pupil of Hutt Valley High School, has recently graduated M.Sc. and will study for a Ph.D. degree at Victoria University of Wellington during the term of the fellowship. The fellowship, worth £1000 a year, was a gift from the Maori people to commemorate the visit of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, to Waitangi in 1963. It is open to both Maori and European students contemplating research or study of benefit to the Maori people.