and I returned to the scene of horror. There was no work of Mother Nature to be seen. All that was left was a plain of twisted, charred logs and stumps. Patrick Newson, Form V

I Remember I remember the burning glow of the evening fire around which we would sit to laugh and sing after a long day of toil and play The nights were chilly then and we'd gather round to watch the glowing embers while creepy shadows leapt and danced across the darkened walls. And heavy with sleep, we'd dream before the fire, in the bright light it provided soothed by the smell of the candle — by the friendly flame flickering high upon the mantlepiece. Then the morning sun would welcome us and weary ones would plod to school with sunken hearts and sad faces. When at last the evening fell We were happy again returning to the smoky comforts of the hearth. But that was long ago when childhood days seemed forever, when we played all day long under the ever-glowing sun. O, if Time could now return to a childhood Lost forever!

A Place in the Sun I wander along the quiet and dusty roads Of Kaihu And I see old railway lines Long rusted and grown over with long grass and blackberry, And old, deserted railway shacks and shops long closed and empty. This is no ghost town Deserted and forgotten But where are its people? They are there in their little houses Some are in the pub across the road From where voices of merry men ring out into the drowsy air. Others rest in deep sleep Beneath the many headstoned graves, Beside the grand and well-known church Lying there unforgotten in the open green Facing eastwards towards the rising sun Many graves I see, kept free of creeping weeds and cruel thistles By one of a compassionate heart … A gentle breeze, soft and soothing, feels its way Through my half-entangled hair, And the ageless sun smiles kindly on this peaceful town. Isabelle Te Wake, Form V Another contribution, this time from Sharon Moengaroa White of Maropiu District High School.

Young Ones ‘One, two, three and away we go …’ comes the shout from the top of the tree then splash! Papa hits the water. Like a cauldron the water bubbles and boils, then up comes Papa's face, bright with excitement. Then there's a ‘whirlpool’ as Julie jumps in, quite sure that if a boy can do it, so can she. Well, it takes all kinds. Dawn screams as Jamie pushes her into the creek. But it's all in fun, just like everything else we do here. I may be wrong, but I think the aim of any Maori is to be happy. And why not? Being happy makes the harder tasks in life so much easier. Teresa is the showgirl of us all. She is