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Hokitika Guardian, 6 October 1921, Page 2

At both the Hokitika, School Committee and Westland (’handier of Commerce meetings (bis week, tile members engaged in tilts at tho existing methods of administration under the system of Education Hoards. The School Committee made its “set” more directly against tho Canterbury Education Hoard, but the Chamber of Commerce dealt with flic subject its a whole. There has been the growing feeling that Education Hoards have become tho fifth wheels of the State coach, and n.s such could be very well dispensed with. The change in tho system whereby larger education districts were created some time ago and which resulted in the wiping out of the local Board, has not lieoq for the Ix'tter. 'That is certainly the local opinion charged as it is with a very full know lodge of the facts tTien and now. The enlarged districts were a concession to tho organised views of tho teachers who wished a wider field for more rapid! and lucrative employment. We doirtjt if this form of unionism has been futile betterment of the profession. In many eases it lias created a new spirit in which pride in work and results is lost sight of for personal profit. Distances of such eases were given at the Cha in her of Commerce meeting. We do not know that Departmental control will eliminate this newer spirit which seems to be a development of the age. not only in the. teaching profession, but in other walks of life also. The situation is not as it should be. The form of evolution going on is away from the old traditions, and the new order of things is not as agreeable as the old methods. The protests being made now emphasis*' that something is awry, and there is a need to overlook

the machinery and see exactly where and to what extent things are out of order.

Some interesting correspondence lias been bnmelied in our columns on the subject of .Maori nomenclature. With a beeoming pride of place, it is good to cultivate a knowledge of th i’ si*bjeet, and we agree with the i-or respondent who wrote suggesting that too much information cannot be given as to the derivation of Maori words which constitute the names of the places in and about our district. Tbe reason why is predominant in most minds and not only for ourselves, but also for visitors, it would be interesting always to know just why Hokitika is called “Hokitika” and Arahura “Araluira”. The names are usually associated with some natural event or configuration which occurred to the native mind and lor historical purposes it would be well to know just what topographical feature or prominent characteristic is implied by tile name se- ■ lected. Maori names in keeping with the language itself, are always musical in sound. They have a pleasant ring and syllable expression, and this pleasing euphonic sound makes them very popular. There are no doubt inaiiv linguists about who could contribute an interesting list of local Maori names with an interpretation of their meaning. We feci sure such a list would j be of great interest to our renders, and should engage also tbe attention of tbe j teaching profession who could make a very interesting lesson for their pupils with a study of Maori nomenclature as a means to arouse greater pride and

interest of the scholars in the history of their homeland.