MAORI ENTRANTS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20660, 10 January 1942, Page 7

MAORI ENTRANTS

AIR FORCE SERVICE FIRST OF NGATIPOROU Though the people of the Waiapiji Valley have been following with Keen interest the fortunes of the “Ngatijporou pilot,” Pilot-Officer I. McNeil, the Maoris of the district did not a direct representative in the Royal New Zealand Air Force until recently l , when Miritene (Tommy) Ahuriri arrived'unheralded at his home wearing the uniform of a leading aircraftman. Leading Aircraftman Ahuriri is the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Henare Ahuriri, Te Araroa, and was a pupiil of the Gisborne High School. Somb time ago he went to Palmerston North, and studied for entry into the Royal New Zealand Air Force, passing his examination without trouble. He hopes later to qualify for his wings, i A social event in his honour was held at the Rongomaitapui Hall las J t week, when Messrs. F. Fairlie and Mahue congratulated Leading AirJcraftman Ahuriri, and wished him well in the service, in which he was a pioneer of the Ngatiporou. Another airforce man whom thk people of the tribes claim as theif' own is Mr. “Buster” Cumpsty, whose father was a headmaster at the Rangi 1 - tukia School for many years. Mi). Cumpsy, jnr., was given a warm weljcome back to his old district when h£ revisited Rangitukia recently, and was made the recipient of a presentaV tion. He spent a few days in Te Araroa as the guest of Mrs. Before he joined the air force, he was teaching in a native school in the North Auckland district.