CENTRE FOR PALMERSTON NORTH

Te Ao Hou, November 1957, Page 37

One of the most successful money-raisers were hangi evenings. A number of amusement tents were set up and people had a good evening out, buying at stalls and playing games, with a delicious hangi supper to follow. This one was at Levin. CENTRE FOR PALMERSTON NORTH The Queen Carnival held recently to raise money for a £30,000 Maori community building in Palmerston North was an achievement in organisation and inter-tribal collaboration. All Maori people from the Rangitikei River down to Waikanae in the South took part. This large area was divided into four competing zones centred on Feilding (Princess, later Queen: Miss Rene Tapine). Palmerston North (Princess: Miss Charlene Brown), Levin (Miss Lana Heremaia) and Otaki (Miss Mary Hawea). Dances, socials, concerts, hangis and shopdays were held; funds collected; there were also special functions such as a huge indoor bowling tournament. As a result, £7,500 were raised in two months. Drive Organiser was Mr W. Parker, Maori tutor of the Wellington Council of Adult Education, who throughout exploited the many cultural and educational aspects of the enterprise. The building is designed in very modern style by Mr John Scott of Hastings, one of the very few qualified Maori architects. The section had been bought prior to the campaign for £3,500; it is a splendid site right in the heart of the city. Apart from a community hall, the centre may serve as a hostel. The successful Queen was miss Rene Tapine, of the Fielding zone, who was crowned at a ball in the Palmerston North Opera House. (The Times, Palmerston.) Bring and buys were another popular feature at the carnival. The Levin princess. Miss L. J. Heremaia, is in the background. (Levin Chronicle Photographs).