Page 2 - 1972 News Clippings

PRINCIPAL QUERIES

TEACHING OF MAORI

Waikato Times Mr Allison had been subject had been offered, there
4th April 1972 asked whether Maori language had been two pakehas to every
was currently being taught in Maori among those who chose
Strong doubt as to his school, and replied that it to study it, said Mr Allison.
whether local Maoris want was not. Mr Allison was then
their language to be freely In its early years (the mid asked for statistics on the
taught to all-comers has been -sixties) the first assistant, Mr proportion of Maori pupils at
expressed by the principal of N. Vickeridge, taught the his school, and stated that it
Ngaruawahia High School, subject, and he is now had grown steadily from about
Mr E. B. Allison. headmaster of Te Aute College 20 per cent to 30.8 per cent
Mr Allison recalls being (Hawkes Bay), Since then Mr currently.
told by a local Maori elder Allison recalled having Of Mr Moorfield’s efforts
around the time of the death of advertised 14 times for a to teach Maori, Mr Allison
Inia Te Wiata that “a little jame replacement. Only one said, “local Maoris didn’t seem
on a small piece of bread is application had ever been to accept this sort of Maori.”
good, but put that amount on a received, and that applicant There had been three efforts to
big piece and you can’t taste it had been appointed. start an evening class in Maori
at all. We don’t want our He had been mr John at the school, and all had had
Maoritanga spread too thinly, Moorfield, who was to close within a few weeks
or it will lose its flavour,” academically qualified with a because of lack of numbers
Mr Allison himself BA in Maori, and who is now willing to take the subject, Mr
commented, “I think local on the staff of another private Allison said.
Maoris prefer not to have Maori boys’ school, St
Maori in the school, day or Stephen’s College. When the
night.”

Gala Day Successful

19 April 1972 were sold out very quickly, As created interest and a
usual the baking, produce and considerable sum was realised
Despite adverse weather quick raffles proved very from this.
conditions, a large crows popular and the men making There was a sponge
attended the Ngaruawahia hot dogs were kept extremely competition and a pie contest,
High School Gala Day held on busy. which was judged by two of
a recent Saturday. It was a The raffles were excellent the teachers, Messers N. J.
fund-raising activity involving and included 10 gallons of Murphy and P. Vela. Many
assistance by staff, parents, petrol, attractive shrubs, a excellent entries were
pupils and friends. beautifully-iced cake, a box of submitted and made a difficult
Altogether the day groceries and week-end task for the judges.
realised a considerable sum/ baking. An unusual feature at the
The Gymnasium Fund Several hundred tickets Gala was the Steptoe & Son
will benefit greatly as a result. were sold on this day. auction, organised by Mr M.
Stalls were soon A game of miniature golf, Prendergast Jnr., And this
patronised and many items run by one of the teachers, attracted considerable interest.