money and get the centre started. It was decided to hold a dance to try to raise £50 for equipment. Everybody helped; there were raffles and stalls; donations were given and the catering was done by the mothers. After all expenses were paid, we found we could bank more than our target figure. The problem of a building was solved, temporarily at least, by the Headmaster of the Tiki Tiki Maori District High School, Mr H. Lambert, B.A., who offered us the use of an empty school house.

Making a Start

The Tiki Tiki Play Centre was opened for the first time in June with a roll of seven. There wasn't much equipment to start with, mainly painting, drawing, cutouts, a few painted tins and blocks for the sandpit, but the Supervisor, Mrs Mana Rangi, managed to keep the small group of children happily occupied. Today the centre is much better equipped and the roll has grown to fifteen which includes the only Pakeha pre-school child in the township. Mr A. Grey, who visited us from Auckland, commented on the happy, relaxed atmosphere and the progress of both the mothers and the children. We are now applying for affiliation and, if this goes through, we receive a grant of £50 from the Government for upkeep and still more equipment.

We owe much to Miss McIntosh, the District Nurse, who as Secretary has contacted the necessary people, acquired films, books, recordings and given the mothers an idea of what a Play Centre is and how it is run.