GRAND MAORI CONCERT

Chronicle (Levin), 21 May 1948, Page 2

GRAND MAORI CONCERT

Over £100 Raised For War Memorial Fund A pageant of colour, action and song marked the presentation of the grand Maori concert in aid of the SoMiers' War Memorial for Maori and European, which wasl held in Otaki on Weanesday night. i Traditional Maori songs, dances and hakas filled most of the long , \ programme and the enthusiasm disptayed by the audience was in itseif a tribute to the producers. A welcome addition to the programme was several items by I Europeans, including some by the , well-known Tin Hat Club from Welington. Taken thro.ughout, the programme was as colourful and varied as could be wished for. Items were presented in rapid succession and every minute provided Some of the most enjoyable entertainment Otaki residents have been privheged to witness lor some time. Costumes were correct m every detail, and each performer had obviously been well coachea in his or her part. It woukd be difhcult to select for special mention one or more items, as all were outstanding. The programme opened with the traditional Maori weAcome to visitors as they approach the courtyard of a pa. Presented by the Maori concert party, with Mrs. Iviaureen Gray and Mr. Bobby Hakaraia (soloist) takxng the leading paris, this scene carried one away with ah the pomp and ceremony of the Maori action songs. This was followed by a bracket of action songs by the Iviaori party depicting greetings and feiicitations to the Raukawa Tribe, anci entitled "Kia Ora Raukawa" and K "Mouti Mourea." As a dlversion, - Mr. A. Tinan, of the Tin Hat Cluo, rendered two vocal solos. Mr. Tinan's rich baritone voice enthrahed his listeners, his interprefcation of an Irish song oemg particularly beautiful. A single poi, or the "Raukawa Poi Dance" foiiowea, this being given by the Maori girls. Then came a humorous interlude by another member of the Tin Hat Club, Mr. E. Dean, a noted pianist, who gave severa'l amusiri'g versions of "Auld Lang Syne." Perhaps the most impresslve item on the programme was the singing of Robert Louis Stevenson's . well--known poem, "Requiem" by Mr. H. Tahiwi, a local artist but also a member of the Tin Hat Ciub. On a darkened stage, with the only light a cross glowing red and surmounted by the words "Lest We Forget" in letters of white, this scene was excellently produced. At the end of the recital a volce from off stage solemnly quoted the'concluding 'iinss of the poem. At this stage mention must be made of the system of lighting throughout. Under the charge *5>f Mr. R. Mortiboy, tne stage lighting was used to full effect in changes of colouring and shading, - this being especially , so in tne "Requiem" scene. Two action songs by tne Maori boys and girls followed, the first being "Nga Hoia," which was sung to the soldiers, Maori and Pakeha, overseas, and "Takiri Kote Ata," better known as "The Attack." A humorous item by' Mr. A. Elston, the fourth member of the Tin Hau Club, provided some amusing entertainment. Making her first appearance in pubiic, a young Maori singer, Miss Aroha Roiri, presented a vocal solo entitled, "Hine e Hine." Althougn a little nervous, Miss Roiri's voice was very sweet and beautifuuy pitched. She was presented with a floral tribute at the conciusion of her item. Depicting the love of , children for all that is beautiful in nature, the Pukekaraka Maori Party, under' the leadershlp of Miss Makuini Ransfield, presented "Arohina," a traditional Maori action song. An. interva!l followed and the second half of the programme opened with a brief representation of the migration of the ancient Morioris from their ancestral home in Hawaiiki to the land of the Long White Cloud, Aotearoa. This was one of the most intricate of the Maori presentations and was carried out without a hitch. Calle'd ' the canoe poi dance, it was given by the Maori girls and boys. Also making her first appearance in pubiic, a pianist, Miss E. Dlxon, gave a delightful rendering of the Theme from the Cornish Rhapsody. She was presented with" a floral tribute and as an encore she played "The Polonaice." The Maori War Chant, "Kamate Kamate" was selected by Mr. Tahiwi as his next vocal solo. It was followed by his rendition of Alfred Hill's "Waiata Poi," the background being provided by members of the Maori party. A presentation of company v songs by the Maori party came 'next, and this too proved a most enjoyable item. A humorous item by Mr. A. Elston and a bracket of action songs by the Maori girls and boys ' followed. The vocal solos "Beautiful Dreamer," and ' "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life," were given by Mr. Tinan. The double poi, as presented by the Maori girls under the leadership of Mrs. H. Te Hana, was a moving item. This poi was performed before the 'late King George V and Queen Mary atx Rotorua in 1901. Mrs..Te Hana is the only survivor of that team, A double poi by the Maori boys and Maori party

v 'brought the programme to an end. ! The Mayor, Mr. C. F. Admore, was then introduced to the audience by the compere, Mr. R. Carkeek, i On behalf of the Maori committee, he wished to cordially thank jal'i who had given their support to| the concert, said Mr. Atmore. ±»y their efforts the Combined Memorial Committees "oenefited to the extent of £119. By a generous j Igesture, the Maori Committee had: given half to the Otaki W ar | Memorial Committee, tne otneri half going to the Maori Memorial | I Committee. Mr. Atmore :spoke of the efforts ' to raise funds for the Otaki Memoriai,. which is to be a' civic centre, and mentioned that . over £1000 had already been raised. He ithought that the concert had been "wonderful," and" offered his sincere congratulafeions to those concerned for the ■ exceilent entertainment provided. It reflected great fcredit on the performers and those who had trained them. Hefspraised the efforts of. Mrs; Te Hana, who was then presented with a tribute from the committee. Responding, Mr. Tahiwi conveyed the thanks of. the performers forthe tributes paid to them. As a final item, the party presented the haka "E Kapu." | Later, the Maori So'idiers' War ! Memorial Committee . entertained the Mayor and Mayoress, under jwhose patronage the concert was held, the artists, and members of Jthe Civic Memorial Committee at supper in the Raukawa meetmg 'house. The Rev. Paora Temuera jwelcomed the Mayor and mqmbers of the Wellington Tin Hat Cirib. Mr. j Atmore and Mr. Elston replied, both .expressing their keen appreciation jof the entertainment ana supper. I The members of the Otaxi Raukawa Soldiers' War Memorial ; Committee are as foilows: — Presiident: Mr. M. Roiri; secretary; Miss W. Tahiwi; committee: Iviessrs. A. Knox, H. Moffat, H. Hakaraia, M. iBaker, J. Puti, W. Nicholls. I The concert programme was iarranged by Mrs. H. Te Hana and iMiss W. Tahiwi under the leader■ship of Mr. W. Nicholls. The poi !ballets were arranged by Mrs. H ,Te Hana, and the - action songs were under the.guidance of Mrs. Te Hana and Miss Makuini Ransfield, while the haka leader was Mr. W. iTaratoa. The stage director was i Mr. W. Nicholls, the lighting eff ects jwere under the.care of Mr. R. Mortiboy and the house manager was Mr. G. McKinley. The members of the Pukekaraka Maori Party were as foilows: — Misses Makuini Ransfield (leader), H._ Taratoa. M. Winterburn, J. Winterburn," S. Henry, N. Morehu, ;A. Morehu and Borgla Hakaraia. | The members of the Otaki Maori ! Party were: — Mesdames H. Te .Hana, G. Gray, M. Roiri (leaders) ,- iR. Wehipeihana, H. Hohipuha, P. I Hakaraia, M. Gray and L. Edlin,iand Misses Aroha Roiri (soloist), R. ,Te Hana, D. Johnson, M. Enoka, jRosie Hakaraia, Ria Roiri, K. .Hohipuha, M. Hawea, Tapua Edwards, H. Jphnson, M. Johnson, K. Hakaraia, J. Hakaraia, Betty Hakaraia, Phyllis Bruneil, M. ^Tahiwi, Mafia Johnson and E. Raika. The haka party consisted of: Messrs. W. Taratoa (leader) , T. Hohipuha, J. Hohipuha, B. Hakaraia, J. Bishop, P. Bishop, J. Nicholls, R. Nicholls, B. Tahiwi, N. Winterburn and John Neho. The Wellington Tin Hat Club members were: Messrs. A. Elston (humorist), E. Dean (pianist), and A. Tinan and II. Tahiwi (soloists) . Before the concert began the Otaki Brass Band played several items outside the Civic Theatre. I The committee wishes to thank all the residents of Otaki, the Otaki | Brass Band and all who so generously assisted and supported the concert to make it a success.