CORRESPONDENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 65, 17 January 1908, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO "THE EDITOR. Sir, —I should like to have space in your paper to say a few words regarding the recent holiday festivities at Miroahuiao and Wairere, from the Maori point of view. In the first place I must express thanks to all those who took part in the gatherings and assisted towards their success. This is practically the first occasion on which Maori and Pakeha have coi operated in the district for mutual enjoyment and pleasure making, and it is highly gratifying to our people to know that success has attended our efforts. I have every confidence that this is only the forerunner of many such gatherings. The advantages to . be gainedby the Maoris though inter- • course with Europeans are many, and we recognise that in order to take a hand in the progress of the country • and reach the same level as our European neighbours we must proceed on the same lines with regard to work, education, and recreation. The Maoris of our district are nearly all 1 . land holders and should become farmers. The main thing is to start modestly on the right lines and work towards the same goal as our neighbours. There are many things to be done before the desired end can be attained, but intercourse with settlers, even in "* - the way of amusement, is a valuable assistance. J sho'ujp }ike t@ point out totheiMaoris that in order to continue on the best terms with the Pakeha they must endeavour to conform to the Pakeha methods. In our district there are many children of school age not attending school. This is a thing "" Which should be attended to, as only f by education can our children hope to * grow up and be able to meet their European neighbours on equal terms, * either at work or play. It is to be hoped efforts will be made to have a school established at Mifoahuiao, as if Would 1 pe attended by about thirty children from the very start. This can be done by the Maoris working together and making application to the proper quarter. These lessons, and others, the Maoris can learn from * the example of the Pakeha, and I hope the day is not far distant when our Maoris will be co-operating with the Pakeha in work as well as in pleasure. There will shortly be every fhdu&mentTor'starting a dairy factory in the district, and if the Maoris are alive to their own interests they give every support to such a venWith the both races combined fa* ,r h an undertaking mere would sconce a' marked degree of progress noticeable in the Maoris. It has been done in other places: Why not at -- Miroahuiao? Again, 4 thank the people who tppk part i+i out g«*cheripgs. &» ora —I am, ete., KEHU TE MARAKU.