MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 10 December 1940, Page 9

MAORI MEMORIES

PROGRESS OF THE MAORI SCHOOL. (Recorded by J.H.S., or Palmerston North, for the “Times-Age.”) The condition of implicit obedience on entry was seldom broken. Complaints by parents, pupils, or instructors were unknown. It was at first said to be impossible to make Maori boys work, or teach them anything but mischief. This idea ended in praise of their industry, docility, and progress. The pupils well treated were deeply interested in the practical work, and proud of their progress they submitted to discipline. There was obviously complete success in the scheme and ample proof that, given equal opportunity such as this, they could outpace the average white boy in learning to do useful work of many kinds. Sixty eager lads who were anxiously waiting to join the school were delayed many months by the want of timber to provide the necessary accommodation. For some secret reason the Kihikihi tribes were opposed to the school and were using every means tc prevent pit sawing or the delivery of the timber. The very men who a few years ago previous the most eager supporters of the proposed school now prevented its enlargement by every available means. They even ploughed a ring round the sawpits and planted potatoes, thus isolating the sawn timber and pits by the feacred law of Tapu which no Maori would dare to infringe, whilst even a Pakeha would be in danger.of losing his life to avenge such sacrilege. A tactful Maori wahine asked that the timber should be given to her as a Rangimarie (peacemaker). When the crop of Taiawa (potatoes) was ready they were duly harvested. The school authorities were secretly notified to “cross the first ten feet from which the Tapu was removed with the crop, and take the timber to the school for immediate use.” In a postscript to this letter the simple benefactress said: “One thing I have forgotten, please give me a little tobacco.”