Narrow gentle land Of rain, mists, and glorious sun. Stately stands of pink-grey kauri And deep green-grey pine Ferns of a thousand shades of greens, And silvers, and blacks, Taro Riotous in a land of unseeding? Winding valleys between steep Enticing gulleys And murmuring sleepy streams Mist-clad, mauve … Warm, gentle … Knowing nothing of clawed, fanged, sudden death. Knowing nothing of sliding things of poison, Knowing nothing of creeping, insidious things. Innocent, slumbering It seems that Nothing is fearful here Nothing is fearful that belongs here That which is fearful Sounds there … The distant busy hum Of the traffic of man … ‘Taheke’, the subject of the first poem, was the author's grandmother, and a daughter of the famous Te Whiti of Taranaki. ‘Bethells’, a beach on the West Coast of Auckland, is notorious for its many deaths. Ancient pa sites can be seen along the road to the beach. The third poem, ‘The Resting Islands’, is written from memories of the Waitakere Ranges.

OVERWEIGHT … THEN YOUR BODY IS UNDER THIS SORT OF STRAIN When you are over 30 years of age, excess weight can be hazardous. Overweight has been closely associated with heart troubles, diabetes, arthritis and other disorders. STAY HEALTHY … KEEP FIT (a) CUT DOWN ON CALORIES (b) TAKE REGULAR AND REASONABLE EXERCISE. The Health Department's free booklet ‘Slimming’ gives you an extensive calorie chart and diet programme complete with healthy weight margins for your height, age and build. YOU USE THREE TIMES MORE CALORIES WALKING BRISKLY THAN SITTING. Regular exercise is important in weight control. It tones your muscles, improves circulation and general well-being. INCREASE YOUR CHANCES FOR A LONGER LIFE IN BETTER HEALTH … WATCH YOUR WEIGHT. N.Z. DEPT. OF HEALTH 5167