on all New Zealand culture. Already we have a situation where nearly all Maoris have some Pakeha kinsfolk even if perhaps only by marriage. It will not be long before the same applies to Pakehas—that is that they will all have a ‘family relationship’ with some Maoris. This will open up the way for the close integration of the two groups as long as one important thing takes place at the same time—the spread of Maoris throughout all levels of jobs. And this is a joint project. A heavy responsibility rests on the shoulders of all Pakehas (particularly those in positions of responsibility) to at least place no obstacle in the way of striving Maoris. An equally heavy responsibility rests on Maori shoulders (particularly of those who show at school that they are capable of taking on skilled and professional work) to grasp every opportunity which may lead to success; to be tolerant of those Pakehas who, although they may appear clumsy and patronising, are often trying to do their best to help; to open up every avenue that leads to closer social relations.

A Positive Force For Good The study of mixed marriages has shown me clearly that in nearly every case where a Pakeha is confronted with a Maori ‘in-law’ he soon accepts him and often changes his whole attitude towards Maoris. Mixed marriage is therefore much better seen as a positive force for good in the New Zealand community than as a disruptive force within the Maori section of the community. Whether or not features of Maori culture which are held so dear survive in the second half of the 20th Century rests much more on the skill with which they can be blended into the total New Zealand culture than on the retention of a ‘racially pure’ group. (I wonder how many Maoris have no Pakeha ancestry? The latest census says 54%. My guess is not more than 10% at the outside.) Dr John Harre is a lecturer in Social Anthropology at Otago University.

E. Mervyn Taylor The death occurred in Wellington last June of Mr E. Mervyn Taylor, the well-known Wellington artist. He was aged 57. Mr Taylor began his career as a jewellery engraver, later becoming widely known for his meticulously executed wood engravings. He was also a painter of water colours and murals, and more recently he had taken up wood sculpture. In every field of art in which he worked he was an exceptionally accomplished and skilful craftsman. Many of his works, especially his wood engravings and sculpture, depict subjects taken from Maori mythology. A few years ago, when he won the Association of New Zealand Artists Society two-year £1,000 fellowship, he elected to remain in this country studying Polynesian mythology rather than to go overseas. Many of his wood-engravings on Maori subjects were published as book illustrations, and many of them appeared in ‘Te Ao Hou’. Mr Taylor was a Fellow of the International Institute of Arts and Letters, and a member of the National Art Gallery's management committee. He is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter.

George Leslie Adkin Mr George Leslie Adkin, a pioneer in New Zealand geology, archaeology and Polynesian studies, died recently in Wellington at the age of 75. He was a well-known explorer of the Tararua Ranges, and in 1909 he made the first crossing from Levin to Masterton. Until 1946 he was a farmer. After this he joined the New Zealand Geological Survey, retiring in 1955. He published 32 articles in scientific journals, many of them in the Journal of the Polynesian Society, and wrote two books: ‘Horowhenua’, a record of the Maori names in that district, and ‘Te Whanganui o Tara’, which discusses the Maori place names in the Wellington district. ? A thousand varieties of kumara collected from one side of the Pacific to the other will be planted at the Government vegetable research station at Otara this year to try to discover the origin of the kumara, its history, distribution and modifications in different countries. The main object of the research is to develop varieties for use in the Pacific Islands. ? About 20 members of the Arahina branch of the Maori Women's Welfare League, Auckland, will make a two-week visit to Fiji next year. It is hoped that soon after their return, their Fijian hosts will pay a return visit to them in Auckland.