PUHA IN GREECE

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1954, Page 62

PUHA IN GREECE It was Colonel Bertrand, who as Major Bertrand, 2 I/C 28th (Maori) Battalion, made the discovery that the Maoris were not the only people who recognised the merits of puha. The New Zealand Division had landed in Greece and 5th Brigade transport was proceeding by road to its position near Olympus. During a halt for lunch it was observed that the farmers were very busy weeding their crops and Major Bertrand strolled over to get a closer view. The workers were not weeding but gathering puha, which they said was a much prized vegetable with them. Very soon, at the rate of a shilling a sugar bag, they were gathering puha for the Maori transport drivers. Puha, sonchus oleraceus to the botanist and sow thistle to everybody else, is such a typical New Zealand plant that it is generally thought to be native to this country. It was first noted scientifically by Ernst Dieffenbach, who came here in the Tory as surgeon and naturalist to the New Zealand Company. As early as 1843 he mentioned that the Maori people used it freely as a green vegetable. It is not, however, a native plant for it is common in Europe and may have come to New Zealand as a stowaway in the canoes of the great migration. At least that is what Dr H. H. Allen, of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, thinks possible. * * * * An important Maori collection has been presented to the Canterbury Museum by Judge Ivor Prichard, of the Tokerau Maori Land Court. The artifacts were assembled by his father, Mr T. C. Prichard, of Spring Creek, Blenheim. * * * * The hui tau for Maori Catholics at Easter is expected to be held at Pukekaraka, Otaki. Considerable improvement work has been carried out recently at the Pukekaraka marae, involving the removal of sandhills and the construction of playing fields for football and basketball. To coincide with the Easter gathering a new dining hall will be opened.