WITH THE MAORIS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 879, 27 July 1910, Page 5

WITH THE MAORIS.

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN HALL. Tho capital entertainment given by a large party of Maoris, under the direction oi the Rev. Pred. Bennett, at the Town Hall last evening, took one in fancy back to primitive New Zealand. Mr. Bennett explained in a few brief remarks why the Maoris we're there-that night. ■ Twd years ago (and on several occasions since) Mr. H. N. Holmes, secretary of the Wellington Y.M.C:A„ had been good enough to help the Young Maori party. Now tho natives from Rotorua, tho East Coast, and Otaki had «°me to Wellington to ■ assist the I.M.C.A. No one, he explained, was receiving a penny for his services beyond the actual travelling expenses—it was a spontaneous offer to thow their gratitude to Mr. Holmes'and his institution. Mr Bennett said that there was not such a gap between the Maori of the past and of to-day, as many might suppose, for among their party were old men, who had actually witnessed canibalistic fcast.s, yet- here they were performing on the stage of the Town Hall for the

The programme was decidedly comprehensive and characteristic. It opened with a representation of the old ceremony of welcoming distinguished visitors, in which the well-known—"Komate, komate; kia-ora, kia-ora" played a prominent part, succeeded by the hongi or nosc-lriss. The. Rotorua Male Quartet, who havo earned some little reputation for / themselves in the north, sang "Annie Laurie' - ' tunefully, and became merry in a harmonised parody of that "classic" of tho nursery, "Mary Had a Little Lamb." Other items by the quartet (which was one of the successes of the evening) were "Simple Simon," "Ding, Dong, Bell," "Come Unto Me"-(sacred), "Dixie's" Band," and "The" Busy Bee." Tho star . feature, from a picturesque viewpoint, were the beautiful poi dances of the Otaki Poi Party. The poetry of motion was symbolised in their perfectly-concerted actions, and rhythmical swing of the poi was - fascinatingly attractive The artist on the mouthorgan, who accompanied the dances, deserves honourable mention. "Wiki" (Vic-' toria) Butt, of the Rotorua Mission Choir, exhibited a pleasing mezzo voice of even quality in Somerset's song, "Echo," which elicited a hearty encore. The Ngati Huia party, ten sturdy warriors, gave a haka referring to the recent death of King Edward. Their dancing was full of spirit, and was executed in fierce unison. Another party—Ngatiporous—from tho East Coast, were led- by the Hon. A. T. Ngata. With splendid energy and forceful precision, they made a distinct impression with an attractive spear dance, which was preceded by a chanted rhythmically by the voices in unison. Maggie Papakura, the Whakarcwarewa guide,: appeared in Native costume, to describe a scries of kinematograph viows-of the Maori village, which was established for show purposes on the shores of Sydney Harbour, last summer. The pictures were distinctly good. Maori songs anil games helped to : fill out a novel and entirely interesting programme.

This evening there will he a complete change of programme, which will include the singing of "Waiata Poi" (Alfred Hill's song) by Mr. E. J. Hill, with a bucking of real noi dancers led by Maggie Papakura. Another stirring _ item will be the recital of "Scenes from'the Past," by the Hon. A. T. Ngata, supported by the men of his tribe. On Thursday evening a contingent of Boy Scouts will holp to add novelty to the ■programme. -