MR BILL KOHI Of Otorohanga by Jane and Bob Emery Mr William Kohi — Bill Kohi, as he is warmly known to friends and associates everywhere—is a man who has led an exceptionally active, hardworking life, and who has done much to assist his fellow men. One of his special interests is the wellbeing of his colleagues in the revered Hokowhitu-a-Tu Association — the veterans of the famed Pioneer Battalion of World War I, whose members came from every marae in the land at duty's call. For six years, as secretary-treasurer of the association, Bill has organised their annual reunions, which are noted for their warm, reminiscent, happy comradeship. He has also been an active executive of the Otorohanga Returned Services Association for many years, and for fifteen years he has been vice-president. For this faithful service Bill received a special framed citation from the New Zealand Returned Services Association.

Service in First World War When World War I broke out, Bill enlisted straight away. He says, ‘I was only nineteen at the time, so while I was waiting for my 21st birthday to turn up, I sat and passed my exams for a commissioned officer. This required a further six months’ service in New Zealand to complete. I was a platoon sergeant then and had just attained my majority. ‘My mates were ready to leave for overseas and I just couldn't bear to be left behind.’ So Bill applied for and was granted permission to accompany his mates. From then on he was with the Battalion, which took part in all the major battles in France. With his out-going personality and his helpfulness to others, Bill was an obvious choice for the budgeting counselling scheme when this was started some years back in Otorohanga. As vice-president of the committee he has worked closely with the president, Mr P. Phillipps, and the secretary-treasurer, Mr Murray Hunt; all are foundation members of the scheme, and have helped to establish other Mr Bill Kohi budgeting counselling schemes in Hamilton. Taumarunui, Rotorua. Te Awamutu and Te Kuiti. In Otorohanga 21 families are at present enrolled. ‘We have no failures with families, that stick,’ Bill says happily. ‘But,’ he adds, Those families which pull out, do fail. Inevitably they sink further into debt.’ ‘I remember one hard nut,’ Bill chuckles. ‘I nearly deflated myself persuading him to sell his money-eating vehicle. Somehow I talked him into walking and not jumping a taxi unless it was the last extremity. Today that man is coming up on top.’

Success Depends Upon Co-operation Bill takes a great interest in the Te Awamutu budgeting scheme, where there are more Pakehas than Maoris enrolled in the scheme. ‘The success of the budgeting scheme,’ he sums it up, ‘depends primarily on the co-operation of the families concerned and on the willingness of responsible sponsors to come forward and help.’ A Rotarian and a Maori warden, Bill has also shown a great interest in education, and for 13 years was chairman of the school committee at Honikiwi school. As chairman of the Waitomo Maori pastor-