Dictionary

First Cook Is.

The first dictionary of Cook Is lands Maori ever published was brought out recently by the New Zealand Department of Islands Territories in Wellington. It is called "A Dictionary of the Maori Language of Rarotonga".

The dictionary, which contains 460 pages, is the work of the late Stephen Savage, a former Registrar of the Native Land Court of the Cook Islands, who died in Raro tonga in 1941.

Savage, a part-Maori, began col lecting material for the dictionary more than 30 years ago when he was an interpreter of the Native Land Court.

This position and his later position of Registrar gave him unique opportunities for hearing and recording the dignified oratory of Cook Islands Maori leaders.

In working on his dictionary he had the support and encourage ment of many eminent scholars and linguists including anthro pologist Sir Peter Buck and Bishop Herbert Williams, grandson of the compiler of the first New Zealand Maori dictionary and the dic tionary's reviser.

The New Zealand Government bought the manuscript of Savage's dictionary from his estate after his death. After seeking the opinions of linguists on the best method of presenting its material, the Government decided to publish the manuscript as Savage left it.

The Government believes the dictionary "will appeal to all those who are interested in the culture, language and traditions of the Cook Islands" and that Cook Is landers "have been given a sound basis on which the future study of their language may be under taken".

The dictionary was printed by the Government Printer of the Cook Islands at Rarotonga. Copies are obtainable from the Govern ment Printer, Wellington, at 35/- (NZ) each.