"And so to Kenya"

THE MAORIS I The Maoris enjoy equal rights with the white people. Quite a number are to be seen in the cities and towns, and there has been a certain amount of inter-marriage, but on no great scale. It would not be true to say that they are mostly to be found in any particular area, like Rotorua, for instance, but the greatest percentage is in the

North Island. At Rotorua they maintain their own way of life and culture, which helps the tourist interest in that area. Incidentally, the Maori word for "white man" is "pakeha".

The Maoris are a likable people and they have some fine songs and dances. Their carvings are really good. The museum in

Auckland has the finest collection of Maori carvings in the world.

I have visited there and seen some beautiful craftsmanship, one particularly fine piece is a war canoe eighty feet long with a high stern elaborately carved.

"AND SO TO KENYA"

[The following account of her journey by air to Kenya by Mrs. Baird will no doubt be read with interest by her many friends among the readers of The Peterite.]

In bright, breezy weather we left Croydon Airport about 9-30 a.m., due to arrive in Paris l+ hours later. However, we had to circle Paris for over an hour before we were allowed to land. An old friend met me at Le Bourget and we had dejeuner together. Loaded with magazines and good wishes, I climbed into the Dakota which was to take me to the end of my journey.

We covered France pretty quickly, arriving at Marseilles; from there, skirting the Riviera, we flew round the head of Corsica, past Elba and Capri, finally landing in Rome 2+ hours late on account of had flying weather. It was lashing with rain and we had to go from tent to tent for customs and passport formalities. The passport officers seemed extremely chatty among themselves, but slow in dealing with us. However, we finally climbed into the bus, arriving at our hotel about 9-30 p.m. The hotel was most comfortable, and we had an excellent meal, getting off to bed about midnight, with the knowledge that we had to be up at 2 a.m. ! We all made it and soon were en route for the airport, where we had breakfast. We set off about 5-30 a.m. for Athens in bad flying weather, passing scores of small, barren islands in the wonderful blue sea, and in about 3+ hours were in Sunny Greece, where we re-fuelled and had cool drinks. Then on to Cairo, where we touched down about 3-30 p.m. As Egypt is at war, we were not allowed to move about the airfield unescorted. I was one of two who had an Egyptian visa and so was allowed into the city of Cairo, though they sent an escort with me for my own safety. The others, even the aircrew, were confined to the hotel, and two Italians had to spend the night at the airport under guard. They were not pleased.

Cairo is a fascinating city with lovely buildings and gardens and flowering shrubs. We were lodged in a really lovely hotel, outstanding for its architecture. The hotel people were most friendly, and could not do enough for us. We had dinner on a broad, rounded balcony, at small tables, overlooking dream gardens of palm trees and luscious flowers, a full moon lighting up the scene. And so to bed, each guest having his own private suite. The service was excellent, the food had to be seen to be believed after our Spartan fare.

Up at 3 a.m., breakfast 4 a.m., and then to the airport, where the officers were friendly and recognised us. We left about 6-30 am for Khartoum, flying over the desert, following the course of the Nile— the Nile with its little ships—one wondered what they were all doing, whither going? It was a bad, bumpy passage. We climbed to over 12,000 feet and the plane dived and heaved like a ship in a very heavy sea. For five hours we endured this, until Khartoum, our next stop, where it was overpoweringly hot. We put down for refuelling and had cool drinks, then on again for another five hours over the desert. We were to have spent the night at Wadi Haifa, but owing to bad flying conditions, couldn't make it, so put down at Juba. Here we climbed into a truck, with forms each side, and our night luggage piled down the middle, and were soon at the hotel, run by the Sudanese railways. It was managed by an ex-Army staff captain who had served three years in the Eighth Army. He told me he was alone in the morning, but in the afternoon five plane loads landed owing to bad weather. When asked about the catering for so many unexpected guests, he said, "Oh ! I chased and killed a pig, and that's what you will all eat tonight." The dinner was adequate and well served by white-gowned, bare-footed, ebony Africans. There seemed enough for all and plenty of Player's cigarettes at 8/- per 100 !

Juba landing ground consists of flat fields—there are no runways, and after Khartoum it seemed fresh and countrified. The district abounds in game. The manager told me the lions were fairly tame. They had a pet one at the hotel called Jimmy, who, each night, was tied up to a statue. The story goes that one of the guests, returning from a merry night at a friend's bungalow, met a lion in the middle of the road. He said, "Naughty Jimmy, you should be at home," and so saying, got behind the lion and pushed it back to the hotel, where he found Jimmy tied to his statue !

Up at 4 a.m., breakfast, and we mounted our primitive lorry, and were soon back in our Dakota, on the last lap for me, and one or two others. The country rapidly became more fertile, and after about four hours' flying we touched down at Nairobi, where my son and son-in-law awaited me. My son had previously been in touch with the customs and immigration authorities, asking them not to put his mother in prison, so I was greeted in a most friendly manner, and all formalities were over in six minutes.

F ar It was good to be at the end of my journey and with the family, nd I could hardly realise that six days ago I was in York. After coffee and strawberry shortcake, we drove out 19 miles to the Brackenhurst Hotel, approximately 7,000 feet above sea level.

This hotel is almost a tiny township with its picturesque houses dotted all over the beautiful grounds, each with its own lovely view. I was in the main portion, and my room gave on to a wide verandah. Each room was fitted up with h. and c., a comfortable bed, and easy chairs, and always a bowl of lovely fresh flowers. Flowers grow in great profusion in the gardens, and are tended with much care. (I must mention the wood fire we had in our rooms each night; that was a joy.) An excellent golf course adjoined the hotel, and there were good tennis courts. It seemed strange in the heart of Africa.

After five days at Brackenhurst we set out for Nanyuki, via

Naivasha, Gilgit and Thompson's Falls. At Naivasha we visited the

Country Club after re-fuelling at the garage. There are plenty of garages in all the townships, and they do good business, as everyone is dependent on a car for covering these vast distances. We saw ostriches, herds of Thompson's gazelles—pretty creatures—several large secretary birds, and the greater buzzard or Kori Pou. The secretary bird is black and white and has sharp, razor-like scales on its long legs with which it cuts up and kills its prey. It takes off exactly like an aeroplane, running with increasing speed, then folding up its long legs or undercarriage when it is airborne. Wings outspread all the time —fascinating to watch.

At Thompson's Falls we crossed the Equator, going over a small bridge, and as we retraced our steps going up to the hotel, and then back again, this made three times. We crossed the Equator again going into Nanyuki and I had crossed it during my flight to Nairobi.

Since then I have crossed it six times, making eleven times in just over a week; pretty good going, I thought. The view of the Falls from the grounds of the hotel was an inspiring sight, the water running along the flat with clear intent, then dashing over the falls-287 feet—with the most wonderful rainbow effects caused by the sun on the splashing water. We gazed and gazed. The splendid sight left an ineradicable memory.

On to Nanyuki. The roads were very bad in places, in others quite good, considering this is an undeveloped country. dur destination was 12 miles from Nanyuki, a most attractive place and a veritable paradise for bird-lovers—dainty little "cordon-bleus", the golden auriole in its colourful beauty, the various coloured starlings—peacock green, golden, turquoise blue—the mouse-bird, the hoopoe, and many others. The song of birds is with us all day, and as dusk falls the harsh croaking of the giant bull-frogs jars the scented air. The toto or garden boy sings a little monotonous chant as he weeds and waters, a chant on three notes, rhythmic and attractive. I have written it down.

One day we went for a picnic, driving mile after mile through the bush, hoping to see giraffes. We were most fortunate, and saw a large herd of these fantastic creatures, who lined up and stared at us. Some of them were 20 feet. It really was a laughable sight. When they had stared enough, they nibbled the tops of the trees, lined up and stared again.

So here I am at my journey's end, for the meantime, a journey crammed full with new sights, sounds, smells and experiences, but— my thoughts are with you all at St. Peter's. Greetings to you all.

MABEL BAIRD.

THE C.C.F.

This term finds a great many changes in the School training corps. Like most other schools we have changed over from the Junior Training Corps to the Combined Cadet Force. The main difference from last year is that for training we are divided up into an Army section, a Naval section, a Basic Training section, and the Recruits. When a cadet has passed out from the Recruits he joins the Basic section, where he is trained for Cert. "A", Part I. Having gained Part I he may then either join the Army section and take Cert. "A", Part II, or he may join the Naval section, about which more will be said later. Apart from these four main groups there are some subsidiary groups such as the Signals, Motor Transport, and Six-pounder Gun Crew.

Although the training is carried out as indicated above, threequarters of an hour per week is devoted to falling in as a company, inspections, and ceremonial drill. For these parades we go back to the old organisation of House platoons. By this means a keen sense of completion and our usual high standard of smartness are maintained.

On 18th November the company ventured out in the City of York for the first time this year. We were led by the band and marched right round the city walls. We are sure that every one who saw the parade will agree that a high standard of marching was attained. The band and the recruits are to be especially congratulated on their performances.

It would seem fitting at this point to mention something about the recruits. Of course, this term has been devoted to the fundamental drill movements on the parade ground, and considering that this is their first term in the C.C.F. the recruits are quite capable of taking part in a full parade.

As previously mentioned a Naval section has been introduced into the C.C.F. under the command of Lieut. Jeffs, assisted by Mr. Waine. The term has been spent mainly on signalling practice with Aldis lamps, and steering instruction by Mr. Waine. The naval rig arrived near the end of term, but no uniform parade has been possible as yet.