PATRIOTIC CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2252, 11 September 1914, Page 8

PATRIOTIC CONCERTS

ROTORTJA MAORI CHOIR, The whole of the recreative side of the Maori character is dominated by rhythm—that '.perfect ' sense of time wliich is indeed a musical sense, strictly speaking, to bo , dissociated from what is conveyed in the Italian word "tempo." It is something that is innate in a people— sonietlrag that cannot bo taught or acquired l —it is part of their being. If they play, or dance, or twirl the poi, it must be done, .too, with a swing which sets the toes tapping and the bodies swaying, and when that is the case positive unanimity of action must result. That is what makes the beautiful poi dances and hakas or Maori songs of the Rotorua Choir so entirely acceptable. This clever troupe of entertainers gave another of their delightful entertainments last evening at the Town Hall, when once more tho hall was taxed to the limit of its capacity. Items -were contributed, by the champion haka team, the champion girl poi dancers, the Maori Choir, and a male quartet, which sang a number ,of well-known old part songs—"Annie Laurie," "How Can I Leave Thee? ' "Hail, Smiling Morn," ''Sweet and. Low," and "Juanifca." Tho grouping of the Maoris in between their dances and games was very picturesque, and all who hive not witnessed such entertainments should not fail to do so now. A last opportunity occurs this evening, when the Town Hall is being loaned to tie Choir free of charge, in return for its generosity in travelling all the way from Rotorua to give the two entertainments in aid of the Patriotic Fund. Durino- the interval last evening, Councillor R. Fletcher, on behalf of His Worship the Mayor, the Patriotic Fund Committee, and the citizens of Wellington, thanked Mr. D. S. Papworth and the Choir for the effort they had made on behalf of the fund. Mr. Papworth said that the proceeds of this evening's entertainment would go towards defraying tho expenses of bringing the Choir to "Wellington, and he hoped there would be a large attendance. A Native piu-piu (the reed skirt worn by the women) was sold by auction in tho now-accepted patriotic 6tyle, which is, in brief, that those wlio bid are expected to do so not in order to acquire the article, but merely to subscribe the amount of their bid to the tad. Mr. Wallace (of Thompson Bros., Ltd.) acting in comedy epirft succeeded in raising tho sum of £19 for the piu-piu (which was presented by tho most elderly lady among the visitors), and for a. pair or poi balls obtained vhe stun of £2 vs. 6d. The same articKi are to be sold by auction again to-night.