New Block at Turakina Mrs M. Poananga, one of the original pupils in 1905 and dux of the college in 1906 is the first to enter the new dining room block pictures by National publicity Studies In opening the new dining block at Turakina Maori Girls' College, Marton, the Minister of Maori Affairs, the Hon. Duncan MacIntyre said that times had changed considerably in the 65 years since the college had opened with the aim of training Maori girls in hygiene and homecraft so that they could prove to be adequate mothers. He was interested to hear of the achievements of past pupils, many of them leaders in their communities, and to note the increasing number of present pupils passing School Certificate English. Mr MacIntyre spoke of the need to progress in education, housing, employment, health and land development, but stressed, ‘We must strongly emphasis the culture, the customs and the traditions of the Polynesian peoples living in New Zealand. We must look closely at the social organisations and ways you express yourselves to make sure that the very foundations which give you security and strength are not chopped from under you. After almost three hours of speeches and entertainment, the new block was opened by Mr Maclntyre and dedicated by Dr Ian Fraser, the immediate past Moderator of the New Zealand Presbyterian Church. After being shown through the new dining room block the Minister is escorted round the college grounds by senior pupils