GALATEA CONCERT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 56, 16 March 1943, Page 5

GALATEA CONCERT

PIPE BAND ASSISTS OUT

ROUSI/NG MAORI WELCOME

All Galatea attended a special school concert last Saturday evening held in aid of the Rangitahi Native School piano fund, and at which tlxc Whakatanc Pipe Band and several local dancers assisted with items. Most of the Maoris px'csent had never seen a Pipe Band befox'e while to the children'the event Avas definitely somthing to be talked about for many years to come. The band arrived early iix the evening and Avas Avelcomed by the headmaster, Mr K. B. McClellan, at the school house where a light meal was provided. At the concert hall a rccord croAA r d for the district hailed the arrival of the Whakatane party. Pipe selections Avere. played outside for half an hour after which the concert prograxnme alternating Maori axid ixatiA r e items commenced. The contrast, between the ixative actioxx songs,, hakas aixd dances and the national dancing by the visitors fronx Whakatane provided a splendid tAvo hours entertainment, every item being enthusiastically received. The performers from this district were Nellie and Phyllis. Rivett (dual and individual dances), Lennie Butler (Irish Jig), Mollie and Wallace Walton (Double. Sword Dance), Valeric Hannah (GoUhvog Dance), Pat Ferguson (Seahn Trubhais). There can be no doubt. bu,t that the event Avas a gala one for Gal-< atea and that the Ad si tors Avere the main centre of attx-action. Later in the evening tlxc band played seA r eral other selections Avliich set the youngsters of the community capering and dancing on the grass outside the hall. The- pipers also provided music for several dances the most colourful of AA'hich Avas undoubtedly the Highland Sehottische which though seen for the first time ,in Galatea, caught on like wild fire and cx*eated the great*%~t enthusiasm. Special thanks to the band was voiced by Mr Rossiter, chairman of the committee, who also axxnounced that the takings at the door amounted to £24, another rccord for the district.