The Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. J. R. Hanan, and the Roman Catholic Bishop of Christchurch, the Most Revd B. P. Ashby, were challenged as they arrived by Tui Te Whare of Taupo, and were welcomed by the haka party led by Spencer Carr of Taranaki and G. Brennan of Christchurch. The group later entertained the visitors with action songs. Speeches were made by His Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, Sir George Manning. Mr Riki te Mairaki Ellison, on behalf of the local Maori people, Mr R. Jones, on behalf of the Board of Governors of the Technical Institute, the Most Revd B. P. Ashby and Mr Hanan. Revd Ashby dedicated the hostel, and after inspecting the facilities, the visitors were served afternoon tea.

Expansion Mr Hanan spoke of this year's major expansion of the trade training schemes operated by the Department of Maori and Islands Affairs. As well as the new courses in Christchurch, the opening of a new Technical Institute at Hamilton enabled the Department to start another course in carpentry. Twelve courses in eight apprenticeship trades are now running at four centres, with an annual intake of more than 200 boys. Since 1959, when the first course in carpentry was started at Auckland, 1,051 boys have begun training. So far, 699 have finished training in the schemes, of whom 295 have completed their apprenticeships.

Special Presentation To mark the achievement of taking more than 1,000 boys into the schemes, a set of books and a taiaha were presented to Anania Wikaira, a carpentry trainee, who came from Auckland especially for the occasion. Anania, whose elder brother was in the 1963 electrical wiring course, comes from Whirinaki, which is on the Kaikohe-Opononi road, about 15 miles from Rawene. Aged 17, he was a prefect at school last year and is a very keen footballer. Our congratulations to Anania on being the 1,000th trade trainee. National Publicity Studios Mr Hanan presents Anania Wikaira with a taiaha.