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Te Ao Hou, Spring 1953, Page 18

The original Treaty of Waitangi, one of New Zealand's most historic documents, will shortly be placed on public exhibition in Wellington. A case with special protective glass will house the document in the Turnbull Library. The original Treaty will thus, for the first time in its history, be accessible to the public. * * * * In Her Majesty's combined Birthday and Coronation Honours List appeared the names of two well-known Maoris—Mr Henry Te Reiwhati Vercoe, D.S.O., D.C.M., of Otaramarae, Rotorua; and Mrs Whina Cooper, of Auckland. Mr Vercoe was honoured with an O.B.E. and Mrs Cooper with an M.B.E. Mr Vercoe served with distinction in the South African War and in the First World War, and in the last war he was in charge of the Home Guard Mounted Rifles camp at Matata. He has held important civilian positions with the Department of Maori Affairs. Now aged 66, he is chairman of the Arawa Trust Board. Mrs Cooper is the first president of the Maori Women's Welfare League. * * * * The Maori section of the National Council of Churches resolved to send a personal message of thanks and congratulations to Queen Salote, on behalf of the Maori people, for her worthy representation of the Polynesian race at the Coronation.