Both Mr Henderson, who had recently retired after being headmaster at Bethlehem Maori School for 11 years, and his wife, were honorary members of Ngati Ranginui. Mr Henderson, a Pakeha who held the status of an elder at the Judea, Wairoa and Bethlehem maraes, was accorded full chieftain's honours. Mr Henderson had a strong interest in Maori education and welfare, and with his wife was active in fostering Maori culture. He leaves his wife, Sylvia Ashton-Warner, two sons and a daughter.

Mererina Te Rore Mrs Te Rore, who was born in Waiwhatawhata, Hokianga, in 1887, died last December. She was a descendant of Moetara, and widow of Raniera Te Rore Taoho. Many welfare organisations benefited from her support, and she made the rebuilding of the Waikaraka marae and the maintenance of its cemetery her particular responsibility. Mrs Te Rore is survived by five of her nine children, 27 grandchildren, and 76 great-grandchildren.

LETTERS

The Editor, Te Ao Hou Dear Madam, I recently attended a Maori wedding where the ceremony was performed in the meeting house and the food eaten in the dining room of the marae. The warmth, the kindness, the laughter and enjoyment and especially the informality of the occasion, mirrored exactly Rowley Habib's description of the Maori people in his poem ‘Maori’. Obviously the sensitive and articulate Maori can write more truthfully about the feelings of his own people than the Pakeha who is on the outside ‘looking in’. Nonetheless we must be grateful to authors like James E. Ritchie who has made a most sincere attempt to analyse the problems and difficulties of the Maori people so that a better understanding between Maori and Pakeha might be achieved. Most books about Maoris by Pakeha authors are not. written with the intention of being critical. In a multiracial society Pakehas must be concerned about their Maori brothers. I feel sure that many Maoris do not share Mr Habib's ‘contempt for he who dares to tread the sacred ground of my people’ for that would be breaking down the bridges which in many cases have been built between the two peoples. Finally may I add that I also enjoyed Mr Habib's poem ‘Pakeha’ in which he is more than generous. Yours sincerely, M. Hunt

The Editor, Te Ao Hou Dear Madam, I am a 13 year old student at London Central Secondary School, and I belong to the ‘Commonwealth Club’. I am interested in writing to Maori students in New Zealand. Could you please send me some names of students aged 13 to 17 who are interested in being our penpals, as I know others in our school are keen to write to them. Yours sincerely, Maureen Hennessy, 836 Waterloo St., London, Ontario, CANADA.