Wellington Maori Arts Festival Arrangements are almost complete for the Wellington Maori Arts Festival to be held from 8 to 15 April. A great variety of activities has been planned, including a procession, concerts, an international night, an ‘all-nations’ ball, a hangi, and several church services. Demonstrations and musical items are to be given daily in Civic Square between 12.30 and 1.30 p.m. Traditional art and educational displays are to be held at the Display Centre, there is to be an exhibition at the Alexander Turnbull Library, items at Broadcasting House and many other supplementary events. President of the festival committee is Mr A. S. Cornish of the New Zealand Display Centre, and a strong body of vice-presidents has been elected.

Northland Garden Competition Otangarei, Whangarei and Ngararatunua-te-Kamo branches of the Maori Women's Welfare League last year ran a gardening competition. The aim was to encourage Maori people to garden and to take an interest in the general appearance and tidiness of their house surrounds. There were 23 entries. Joint first prize winners were Mrs H. C. Paikea of Rata Place, Whangarei, and Mrs J. Penney, of Toetoe Road, Otaika. The judges, Mrs U. M. May and Mrs N. R. Sanson said the standard of all gardens inspected was exceptionally high, and the two gardens which tied for first place could not be faulted. Judging was on a general basis, tidy back yards and well cut lawns being considered as well as fruit trees, flowers, shrubs and vegetables. Mrs May said, ‘I have never before received such a thrill from judging gardens,’ and Mrs Sanson commented on the very high vegetable garden standard. Full results: Mrs H. C. Paikea and Mr and Mrs J. Penney, equal I; Mr and Mrs R. Morunga, Wakelin Street, Kamo, 2; Mrs M. Kaire, Ngararatunua. 3. Northern Advocate' photographs Winners of the Garden Competition photographed in their gardens. Mrs H. Paikea Winners of the Garden Competition photographed in their gardens Mrs J. Penney