FAR FROM HOME

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 19, 21 May 1952, Page 5

FAR FROM HOME

TAUPO MAORI BOYS IN KOREA Te Rangi-ita, May 9, 1952. Writing honue to his people at Te Rangi-ita, after his arrival in Korea, Nepia Maniapoto, related his (with two Rotorua boys, Cooksin, and Rangihiroa) very enjoyable weekend in Sydney. They were more fortunate in every way apparent'ly, than the rest of the boys who went over in their flight. On arrival at Sydney, instead of hailing a taxi, as the others did, they leisurely strolled along Sydney Harbour Bridge, to amire and see everything. To their pleasant surprise, they were greeted very cordially by a passing pedestrian, who was an old New Zealand pakeha digger of World War II. He aeted as guide and host to them, and took them to the A. N. Z. A. C. Club in North Sydney. There they met a number of "diggers" of both World Wars, and they were given such an ovation, that they felt just like Kings, and they really felt good and happy to be amongst fellow countrymen and neighbourly: good Australians, soldiers of World War I and II. His two comrades had their "thirsts" more than quenched, "on the house," and they in turn, rendered some of the popular Maori songs. A special request from the A.N.Z.A.C.'s was "Now is the Hour," "Po Ata Rau," in Maori, and though they are no Bing Crosby's, they received tumultous applause. Ineluded amongst the diggers, was another New Zealander, Mr Neviile, owner of "Dalray" the champion race horse. - He expressed his pride in the three "Maori Kiwis." After that, their Godsent friend, host, and guide, took them to the "War Veteran's Home," where a Colonel Woods, was unveiling a War Memorial, and again were introduced and they were giveh another ovation. Even the women and the little children shook hands with them, and wished them, safe return and what pleased the three boys mostly, was the complete absence of colour discrimination, which they thought they might receive over there. ISo, as a Maori mother, I express my deep and sincere gratitude to all Australians here and abroad, for I arn sure, what kindness those three boys received, is a typical Australian gesture. We are indeed very lucky to have such good neighbours. The boys later left for Darwin, which they were a bit disappointed with Nepia said that it was not much bigger than Taumarunui. The weather was terrifically hot, and the population was predominantly aboriginal. Nepia remarked that they "sure are black." The next stop was Manilla;, and the most pleasing feature there, were the ubiquitous, very pretty Filipino girls. To use his own words they were just "luscious" and it was too bad they only had four hours there. Their next stop was Iwakuni, air

port in Japan, and from there, they travelled by ferry, a distance of 25 miles, to Kure and by truck to Hiro, the N.Z. Base Camp. The hardest job in Hiro and Kure, was evading the pretty Japanese girls, which wasn't an easy thing. The prices of everything in the shops astounded them. Nepia is contemplating buying himself a brand new electric guitar for £4 and an electric steel guitar for £10, before he returns. Prior to their departure for Korea, Nepia was in the K.Force football team, and on arrival at Korea, the 16th. N.Z. Regiment, their regiment played against the British team and won by 15 to nil, so he thinks they will be kicking Teather" around quite a bit. Their base is 15 miles, north of the 38th. Parallel, 5 and 60 miles from the port of Inchon, a good distance from the capital city of SeouL Things are very quiet though oceasionaily the artillery send over a few shells and they Ihear a few guns going off now and again.