WELFARE LEAGUE

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 203, 16 December 1955, Page 2

WELFARE LEAGUE

Tongariro Council's Second Birthday Party Oolonel Awatere was the guest speaker at the very successful second birthday celebration of the Tongariro District Council of the Maori Women's Weilfare League, held in the Taurewa Hall on November 26. The Hall was most attractive with the courts of the . competing branches. The main programme was conducted by Mrs N. R. Moana, president; Mrs Tearia Paurini, past president, led the opening player ; Mr N. R. Moana made the Maori greetings on behalf of the elders, and Mrs Moana the English greetings, Mrs Paurini then leading a traditional chant. Action songs and poi items were presented by the Taurewa Junior Leagfue and the Erua branch, and branch reports were presented. Oolonel Awatere spoke on the urgent need for the Maori people to both up* hold their Maoritanga, or eulture, and also to assirnilate the best in European eulture. He also gave important instruction and demonstrations of the correct way to perform Maori dances to show their beauty and meaning. He was aceorded a hearty vote of thanks. Presentations of beautiful poipois were made to Mrs Wright, Senior Lady Welfare Officer, and to Oolonel Awatere. Other presentations made by the president were: to Mrs Turanga, retiring council secretary, a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes ; and poipois to Mrs Paurini, past council president, Mrs Heath, Erua branch president; Mrs Hepi, Taurewa branch president; Mrs Stephens, Waimarino branch president; Mrs J. Warren, Papakai branch president The four branch presidents then made presentations to the following representatives : Mr N. R. Moana, Maori elders ; Mr G. Whakarau, Maori district wardeu ; Mr Manunui, Maori tribal committee; Mr Turanga, Maori sports associations ; Mrs Peggy Dawes, Waiouru representative; Mr Henare, Waimarino elder; Mr Stephens, Maori National Park representative ; Mrs Webber, European women and their organisations ; Miss McMahon, Education Department; Mrs Timney, Women's Institute ; Mrs Foster, Women's Division Eederated Farmers ; Mrs Perry, Ruapehu College staff ; Mr Winger, Taumarunui European representative ; mills representative, Mr Thurgood, senr. Mrs Turanga, retiring tutor, gave gifts to the Junior League, representatives being G. Manunui, M. Herkt and B. Kuru. Galonel Awatere presented the following trophies : 1955 Kapoor Aggregate Cup, Taurewa 1, Erua 2 ; Kapoor Evening Points Yase, Taurewa 1, Erua 2; Mitareta Hepi Branch Report Cup, Mrs N. R. Mona (Taurewa) 1, Mrs •Tutauha (Erua) 2. The beautiful birthday cake was donated by Mrs Heath and Mrs Dance, and iced by Mrs Roska (Erua). The candles were lit and extinguished, and the cake cut, by Mrs Foster, Mrs Timney and Mrs Paurini, the gathering singing "Happy Birthday," and Mr Edward Paurini leading the traditional haka, "Karnate, kamate," given by League members and their husbands. Supper was served by League members, assisted by the Hall Committee and the Ngauruhoe Eootball Club. Dance music was provided by Messrs Tamaira, Kendall and K. Hepi. Colonel Awatere, Mrs Wright and Mrs Foster acted as competition judges. The gathering ended with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem.