The orators (‘talking chiefs’) are spokesmen for the high chiefs (ali'i—this word is the equivalent of our Maori ariki). These orators strive hard to acquire knowledge of the historical events which lie behind the names given to the fine mats, for it is their task, on behalf of their ali'i, to recount these histories when the high chief is being presented with one of these mats. (Incidentally the high chief does not speak at functions unless there is some controversy. Then, and only then, does he show his authority by placing his hand upon the top of his head, and pronouncing the final decision. The matter is thus finalised.) If the orator is unable to retell the historical event which gave its name to a certain mat, he embarrasses his ali'i, his family and his villagers. Furthermore that mat is not presented to the ali'i. However the rewards for an orator are numerous, and may consist of food, money, fine mats and ‘ava sticks. (The roots of the ‘ava sticks are pounded to make the ceremonial ‘ava drink. This is known elsewhere in the Pacific as kava.)

Only on Important Occasions Presentations of fine mats are made only on special occasions. Such occasions are: on the death of a high chief or some other important person; at weddings; at openings of churches, schools and other important buildings; at the christening of children of high birth; as a peace-offering for some crime or offence. The mats are worn only by the taupou (princess) or manaia (prince) during important social functions, or when they are meeting important or royal persons. Fine mats are of the highest value for the honour and prestige associated with them, and also for their monetary value (this varies from £25 to £50). Such is their importance that a fine mat has been known to free a murderer, and one is quite often given as a recompense for minor crimes. These beautiful mats are therefore among the most precious possessions that a Samoan can own. The stone which is reputed to have been the ballast of Kupe's canoe when he landed at Hokianga in A.D. 950 has been erected at Pakanae, one mile from Opononi, as a memorial to the Polynesian explorer. The photographer Miss Ans Westra, much of whose work has appeared in ‘Te Ao Hou’, has left for Europe on a working holiday. A large book of her photographs portraying the life of the Maori people will be published later this year by A. H. and A. W. Reed Ltd. The resurgence of interest in Maori culture, and in particular the increase in the number of youth clubs and concert tours, has brought a boom to one of Rotorua's oldest industries—the manufacture of piupiu. Dozens of women are busy making piupiu to orders as large as 60 at a time; one street near Whakarewarewa boasts as many as 10 home manufacturers busy on piupiu production. Although piupiu fetch from £3 to £9 each, depending upon size and intricacy of pattern, there seems little chance that the market will be glutted, for making them is no easy job. Despite the fact that a few tools and Pakeha materials have simplified the art a little, it is still basically an ancient craft, performed in much the same way as it was hundreds of years ago, and relying for success on skilled fingers rather than on modern implements.

George Court's of Karangahape Rd, Papakura, Papatoetoe, and Pakuranga … the keenest place to shop George Court's the place for Bargains always ⋆ BUY FOR CASH, LAYBY, TERMS, CHARGE, or “STORE CURRENCY” 10/- initial deposit in “Store Currency” gives you £10 spending money within the Store … with 20 weeks to repay. GEORGE COURT'S Karangahape Road, Auckland Private Bag, C.1. and at Papakura, Papatoetoe, and Pakuranga.