Chance Decision Motivated World Trip For Young Otaki Man

Chronicle (Levin), 2 November 1949, Page 2

Chance Decision Motivated World Trip For Young Otaki Man

Oif on a "vyorking-trip round the world is Mr. Bruce Crowley, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. S. Crowley, of Anzac Road, Otaki. . Born in Tauranga 24 years ago, this young school teacher has an interesting background.

He served his probationary period at Raetihi in 1945, and the following year he moved to a temporary position at Makakahi sole-charge school on the Maun-ganui-a-te-au River. While living in a disused scrubcutter's whare there and teaching ten children, he applied for a job in the Maori , service, having a keen interest in the Maoris and being especially impressed with their musical ability. When he moved to Raupunga Maori School, and later to Mohaka Maori School in the Wairoa district, Mr. Crowley was able to take with him several Uenuku actionsongs. While at Mohaka a chance event altered his life for a time. A party of scrubeutters, deci'ding to join J-Force, took their forms to the school to obtain help in completing them. There was one. form over and Mr. Crowley filled it in himself, giving iittle further Lhought to the matter until a notice came to report for his "medical" in Wairoa. Within a month he was in camp at Papakura. He was attached to the Arrny Education Service and on arrival in Japan was posted as educational n.c.o. to the 22 Battalion in Chofu and Ozuki. In addition to his ordinary duties, lecturing, showing film programmes and helping to organise clubs he spent much time at a local Japanese high school taking classes for English. On returning to New Zealan'd, Mr. Crowley joined the Otaki School staff as a relieving teacher. There he was able to form a junior Maori concert party. From Otaki he moved to Tikitiki Maori District High School, 93 miles from Gisborne, as ftrst-assistant. ' Several factors then combined to influence him to leave his posi-

tion at Tikitiki — itchy feet and a magazine article entitled "Do It Now," in which visits to overseas relations were suggested. He decided to travel but not by the usual routes. Mr. Crowley looked round for some other way, with the result that he now has a very interesting journey ahead of him. At Melbourne Mr. Crowley joined the Toscana and after a six-weeks' trip by way of Adelai'de, Fremantle, Colombo, Bombay, Aden, Massawa, Suez, Port Said and Naples he will arrive in Genoa early in December. He will stay at the Della Stazione Hotel, his headquarters for a trip' through Italy, and the South of France for as long as his funds for those countries last. The low cost of living for overseas visitors from the British Commonwealth will help offset his rather inadequate allowance. Finally a rail trip through Switzerland and France and quick visits to Holland and Belgium will complete the first portion of his journey, which ends with his arrival in Devon. Being a keen amateur photographer, he is well stocked up with films. Mr. Crowley will seek a relieving job teaching and he is taking a collection of Maori songs which he thinks may prove popular. After the August school holMays he intends signing on with the British Colonial Service for a while. i As for returning, the date is in j the lap of the gods. "I expect to j be away two or three years, though as one fond of generous helpings of meat I consider that meat rationing may shorten this period," he says. Mr. Crowley | plans to work his way baek through the West Indies, Central America and the islands on a United Fruit Co. boat — but that is a long way off yet.