MAORI N.C.O.’S

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 4

MAORI N.C.O.’S

DRAFT LEAVES TO-DAY COAST NOMINATIONS POHO-O-RAWIRi LUNCH Five East Coast Maoris nominated for the course of special training at Trentham, with a view to qualifying for non-commissioned rank in the special Maori Battalion, arrived in Gisborne this morning from their respective settlements, in readiness 'o depart this afternoon for Wairoa on tire second stage of their journey southward.

The group comprised:— Kaa, Kawa, married, 28 years, Ran-' gitukia, wool-classer. Wanoa, Albert Haenga, single, 31 years, Tolaga Bay, labourer. Kohere, Paratene, single, 29 years, East Cape, labourer. Tuhivvai, James, single, 29 years, Tolaga Bay, shopman. Te Kawa, Noble, married. 31 years, Ruatoria, dairy-farmer.

In addition to the above-named, today's draft for Trentham was to include two nominees for commissioned rank, Kani Ferris, of Wainui, and 11. T. Reedy, Ruatoria. Both have lengthy experience in military matters, the former having qualified for a commission in the Maori Battalion during the last war.

Arrangements for a Maori farewell to the -uraft were made by local tribesmen on the same lines as for the draft of Gisborne volunteers which left last week for Trentham for the N.C.O. course. The young men were to be the guests at a luncheon at Poho-o-Rawiri, and the Poverty Bay Maori Women’s Patriotic Committee had arranged also to provide afternoon tea at the Abercorn Hall prior to the departure of the service car by which the men were to travel to Wairoa.