PATRIOTIC CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2251, 10 September 1914, Page 8

PATRIOTIC CONCERTS

THE ROTORuA CHOIR, Altogether original and delightful was the entertainment given by some seventy talented Maoris in the Town Hall last night. The performance, in aid of tho Mayor s Patriotic Fund, must have been most gratifying to its organisers as the JiaJl was crowded in every hart, wlule everything passed off most successfully. • As an . exposition of tho musical ability of tlio .Maori, it was quite, a revelation, and the items rendered by the Rotorua Maori Choir were received with unstinted applause from the audience. Among the choir selects"; 611 were "Hail, Smiling Morn," \\ T ot," and a selection from Mantana. Apart from this, the main attraction of the evening, the programme consisted of a varied and entertaining collection of items. Some sixteen tableaux were given with effect iJr® 1 that delightful old love legend of Hmemoa and Tutanekai." Then another featuro of tho 'concert was the vocal, duets and quartets. Guide Molly and Hape Hakaiaia gave quite a uniquo and most enjoyable rendition of Donza's "Nocturne," the blending of the two voices being most effective. A male quartet, Hape Hakaraia, Mita Tupare, Hoani Hakaraia, and Rotohiko Rukinga, also sang enjoyably. Among their items, grave and gay, were "Annie Laurie," "Lucky Jim,"' and "How Can I Leave You." The remainder of the programmo consisted of expositions of Maori dances and customs. Tho strangely fascinating poi dance- was given by troupes of senior and junior Maori girls, led by a char.ning Maori maiden, Tuna. Tile, haka and poi dance were repeated in response ,to persistent ei,cores. Not the least amusing part of the entertainment, was the exposition of the ancient Maori game, "Mate Mate." The programme concluded with "Fa Funga Funga" (Farewell Song), given by the whole company, and then the singing of "God Save the King" ("E Ihowa To'hungia Te Kingi"). Mr. D. Smythe Papworth. is the conductor and manager of the company. Their .Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool and his Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luko) were'present at the entertainment. ' The performance will he repeated againjto-night. MISS FLORA SHAW. • A concert, organised by Miss Flora Shaw; for the benefit of the Mayor's Patriotic Fund, was held in tho Concert Chamber, of the Town Hall last evening. Tho programme offered considerable variety, and was .of undoubted merit, and during the intervals gifts presented by_ Messrs. W. and G. Turn- [ bull, the Windsor Manufacturing Co., Wardell Brothers, J. Nathan and Co., Messrs. Aulsebrook and Co., L. Cair,, i Snutli and Reid; Preston and Co., a'nd Miss Flockton, were fibld by a number of children in patriotic. dress Boy Scouts weire much in evidence, and after , the reciting of "The AbsentMmded Beggar" by Mr. Culford Bell, they went among the audience ' with their spacious hats for a response to the appeal. A feature of the programme was a selection by .the AVellington Pipe liana, and the clever manipulation of the drunisticks by Drum-Sergeant WilirJ? a reservist of the "Black Watch," who is leaving to join his colours, roused much applause. The programmo opened nvith an overture, 'Tho British Isles ' March," by tho Wellington Gas Company's orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. B. Shardi°mt' -v, ater played an intermezzo. The Birds and the Brook," and a march, "Cavalier." Songs were contributed by Mr. Allwrignt, Madame M. Groome, Mr: 3 Laslett Ex ton, Master Rodney Pankhurst, Miss Eileen iJriscoll, Mrs. E. Montgomery, arid Mr. H. Roberts j Master Ben O'Brien contn.butcd a violin solo, "Dudzairz Mazurka" (Wieuiawski), and recitations 1 were given by Mr. Culford Bell and Miss Botty Purdom. tile latter reciting 'A Song in Camp" (Harold Begbie). I flie dancing of Miss Flora Shaw, who ; gave a sailor's hornpipe (with orehestia, effects) was delightful, and in. the sccond half of the programme another ■ dance, a "Reel o' .Tullocli" was performed by Miss Flora Shaw, Miss L. Iveid, Miss M. Reid, and L. O'Leary, while Piper T. A. Macdonald played for them.- Tho singing of tlio National Anthem concluded an excellent programme. Mrs. E. Qneree played tho accompaniments, A banner, lent by the Petone Workshops, representing the "Absent-Minded Beggar," added a'further plea for the cause.