MAORI COLLEGE BAZAAR.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17469, 1 June 1922, Page 2

MAORI COLLEGE BAZAAR.

OrnCIAl 1 OPENING. The fair and sale of work at the Art Gallery, in aid of the O? - le<re, which has been transfer red from Ohoka to Ferry road, Chnstchurc , was opened by the Mayor o*. Thaeker) yesterday afternoon. Upon their arrival the Mayor and Mayoress were met by a party of Maori girls, dressed in native costume, who performed th powhiri, a Maori form ot welcome in which the girls preceded the vsitoß hito the hall in two lines, singing the native words of welcome in clear voices. The procession entered the Art Gallerv at the Armagh street entrance and. led the Mayor to the seat of honour in front of the dais. The Rev. C. A. traer delivered in English a speech of welcome. As Maoris, he said, they had always been in the position of receiving the patron nge of the pakeha. I'or long thej had disdained the advances of the white man, but since the introduction of the so-called better civilisation of the Europeans they had capitulated they had never been defeated. Betore them they saw the remnant of . a once great people. On this occasion th Maoris asked for the fellowship of the people of Chri. J tchurch. As his hearers could see, the race was becoming paiei and paler and there would come a timo when it would be absorbed by tne white race. He appealed for assistance for the school, which, they hoped, would help in making the new race, to be, worthy of the nation. In conclusion the speaker again we.comed Dr. Tliacker, whom he haned as "Tamang: o te Waipounamu" (the mouthpiece ot the South Island). Dr. Tliacker said that he was a "Maori," inasmuch as he was born in New Zealand. We in New Zealand treated our Maori .comrades as our brothers and sisters on an equality with ourselves. The mission deserved the greatest encouragement. He paid a tribute to those who had taken it upon themselves to bring the school more under the notice of the public, and nearer to the established fac-iiities for technical education. He referred to Miss Opie's fine work as a teacher to the Maori children, and to tho Rev. C. A. Fraer and Mrs Fraer, who had been in the Maori mission movement from the beginning. Their work was now bearing fruit- and he hoped it would contiuue to prosper. Tlio Mayor concluded with a Maori quotation in the native tongue and skn.illsed the opening of the bazaar by handing a cheque to the Rev. C. A. Fraer. Dean Carrington, in moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor, invited the public to visit the new school at Ferry road and give it financial support. The vote of thanks was carried by acclamation, and a similar vote was accorded to the Maori girls comprising the concert party. The Maori troop then performed the whaka poi. The various stalls and exhibits at the bazaar made a goou display. The work staljs were in charge of Mesdames Parr, Fiower, Merton, Jones and helpers; flower stall, the Misses CracrofLWilson and Hiatt. The cake stall, in charge of Mesdames J. and E. Coop, was supplied with dainty cookery by country 'ladies. To-day the ladiea of Sumner and Redcliffs will supply the cakes for this stall. Other stallholders were: Produce: Mesdames BiltcliS and Skelton and Mr Rountree - Book stall: Misses Heywood and Parkerson. Sweet stall: Mrs V. 3. Smyth and Christ's College students. Toy stall: Mrs Parkinson and Miss Opie. Bran Tub and Fairy Well: Mrs Gee, G. F. S. Hostel girls and High School girls. Mrs Blackmore had charge of tho tea-room and Miss Oardale capably filled the onerous position of secretary. The Maori work-etall had a display of Maori keiiles, plain flax, and soma whitau ones of exquisite patterns," pois, and piupiu or waist : ; nats, etc. Mrs Aperatoma Horomona and Miss Ri'» Kingi, .with Mrs Fraer and Mrs P. Selig, were in charge of this unique display. A successful concert, arranged by Mrs j W. J. Hunter, ivas given in the afternoon, and in the evening the JLaori girls of the College provided two short programmes of Maori items. The singing was pleasing, and the actions to songs novel and graceful. The Rotorua ooi dance was one of tin most attractive items of the evening. Similar programmes will be presented to-day.