Page image

fire station, aerodrome and a Vienna Boys' Choir matinee. There were informal outings too, arranged by the hosts themselves. The Hutt Valley parents gave the Maori children high praise for their behaviour. There were no exceptions. The children won their respect. In one case a little Maori girl helped so much about the house that the girls of the house, who did not usually help much, followed her example. Throughout the visit the two groups of children mingled and romped together, enjoying each other's company and friendship. What they had they shared; sweets, soft drinks, food. Binding friendships were formed. So successful was the visit that arrangements were quickly made for a group of Eastern Hutt School children to visit the Rotorua-Bay of Plenty area, on an educational tour, as guests of the Whakarewarewa Maori School. On the itinerary were hydro-electric and forestry projects, as well as sight seeing trips round Rotorua. The exchange of visits has not been limited to the youngsters. Since the Maori children's trip some of the Lower Hutt parents have visited the Rotorua parents, and more intend doing so. Though the purpose of the visits was to give the children educational tours, they have done more than that. For out of the contact, understanding and goodwill have been developed—not only between children of the two races, but between parents as well. Tommy Morrison, Murray Cooke and Jennifer Cooke at the home of Mr and Mrs John R. Cooke, Lower Hutt. (photo: john ashton.)