MAORI WOMEN IN MELBOURNE.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 50, 22 November 1907, Page 3

MAORI WOMEN IN MELBOURNE.

The immense crowd that assemblod in the oval at the Women's Work Exhibition on a recent night, says a Melb- -jrne paper, was entertained with a splendid programme of bioscope pictures, fireworks, and uniquo dancing by a troupe of Maoris, including the "haka" and • pbi" dances. The performers were all ,, in ; 'na r tjye dress, some. of. their capes, and'short, ll fnnged / 'skirts. being almost, as interesting tbf;lopk n .at,,as their .grotesque movements, which are, emphasised by hideous grimaces..; One.iof :'tho smartest, capes is,'of tiny black-and white feathers, woven in with the native flax..,.Jt.is designed in black and white squares, not unlike a chess-board. ; .' Two of the-women sang the well-known duet, "Life's Dream: is O'er, Farewell, 1 ' in their liquid language; and as their voices are particularly sweet, their item was greatly appreciated, as also was the solo, sung whilst some beautiful scenes of Mabriland and one of its rivers, were depicted by the bioscope. In the war "haka" tfce leader brandished a magnificent club, niade of New Zealand greenstone, tho edges of which appeared to be of razor-like sharpness. • .