COMMUNITY WORK

Te Ao Hou, July 1958, Page 60

COMMUNITY WORK Blossom Festival: We took part in this great Hastings week, held last September with visitors coming from all parts of New Zealand. We entered a Maori float and are happy to say it came second. A stall also netted us £180. Building Project: In dire need of a meeting house, the Waipatu Community got together with the full support of the Welfare League Branches and worked on weekly euchre nights and Sunday night dinners and concerts at the pa to raise funds for this worthwhile project. The League members worked hard with the others and

through their efforts a sum of £1300 was realised. At this stage owing to shearing and freezing works all money raising was held in abeyance. We have started to raise funds for the project by having dances on the “Green” at the home of Mr and Mrs O. Otene, Ruahapia Road, Hastings, and quite a sizeable amount has been collected. Hail to this good work, so much of Maori History and Culture is entwined in our Meeting Houses and Maraes. Community Centre: It is the aim of one of our branches to build a Community Hall for Hastings City. Being a City branch they find it necessary to have a building such as this. Renovations: Much work is being done by several branches in the district in renovating their “Whare puni” and dining room, the maraes and also buying crockery for the dining hall. Church Work: “Lawn dances” are held annually at one of our member's home. These dances have been very successful and large amounts have been raised for the Parish. Gardening Competitions: A Silver Cup for the Best Kept Home and Garden was presented by Mrs Whyte. This has been competed for for four years. Mrs Whyte has offered prizes for 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th places. Mrs Whyte has also offered another trophy which is called the “Daisy Whyte Special Project Cup” which is presented for the best vegetable garden. The Norah Edwards Rose Bowl is competed for by the Takapau Branch annually, for the Best Home and Gardens. Many thanks are extended to the donors of these trophies, as they have been the means of inspiring the Maori residents to beautify their homes. Christmas Tree Parties: Christmas parties were held at various meeting places where gifts, sweets, drinks and ice cream were distributed to the children. At Waipatu alone children numbered 127 between the ages of 12 months and 11 years.