New Zealand Herald photo a six-girl gymnastic team from Whirinaki, Northland (shown above with their teachers, Mr and Mrs Pyester) won first place in their section of this year's Auckland schools gymnastic competitions. Their performance was described by experts as being fantastic, in view of their school's small size (there were only nine girls in the eligible age group for their section). Outside school hours the girls worked hard preparing for the contest, and the trip to Auckland—the first one they had made—was their reward. at hamilton's recent highly successful Maori Cultural Festival, the Waihirere group (see photo below) won the £150 first prize with their senior party and third prize with their juniors. Second place went to the Gisborne High School junior party, and the Ohau, Taheke and St Faith's teams, all from Rotorua, won fourth, fifth and sixth prizes. A special prize went to the Te Rau Aroha primary group from Auckland. The Festival was organised by the Ngati Hamutana Club and Hamilton Jaycees, and was sponsored by Waikato Breweries. Waikato Times photo