MAORI CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2495, 23 June 1915, Page 9

MAORI CONCERT

PA LIFE AT THE TOWN HALL A GREAT SUCCESS It was a particularly bright idea of tho Commercial Travelers to arrange for au all-Maori concert, such as tliat given at the Town Hall before a large audience last evening. Time aftor timo tlio .Native singers and dancers wore recalled by an enthusiastic audience, li'ho were struck, as all observant people are, with the inborn sense of rhythm of tho Maori, and the elation of spirit with which ho responds to music with a strongly-marked tempo. Nothing was half-done Last night. 'Ihe eighteen stalwart warriors who danced numerous hakas of varying temper were all out to represent the primitive Maori, and wore nothing save the rustling piu piu with a pair of trunkß underneath, and the pretty dusky-hair-od maidens disdained hosiery and footwear of any kind, and were each gaily caparisoned with mats of ingenious design and attractive colouring. The troupe must have been accompanied to town by many friends and relatives, as there were quite a number of Maori women in the audience. The Hon. Dr. Pomare introduced his fellow countrymen to the public, and in referring to their loyalty and willingness to lielp cause at_ heart spoke of the extraordinary ability of the English race to make patriots of those peoples wio had come under their beneficent sway. He mentioned the case of the Natives of India who had fought like heroes in the North of France, to the Irish who using rifles in the defence of England that had been sent over by Germany; to the loyal people of South* Africa, and finally to the Maoris. Those who wero foes yesterday were friends to-day. They' had sent 500 Maoris to the front. (Applause.) At first it was intended that they should do garrison duty only, but some of them were not satisfied with that, and they forwarded a petition to be allowed to go to the front. That was considered, and it was decided by Cabinet that those who wished to go to the front were to be allowed to do so, and the rest could do garrison duty. The answer to that was that every man jack of them wanted to go to the front—(applause)—and they were sending more. (Increased applause.) Referring ironically to Germany's "kultur" in the use of gas, which outdid any acts of savagery their people had ever been accuscd of, Dr. Pomare related an incident of the Maori War in the Waikato, 'when you and I were fighting," where it oame to the knowledge of the Maoris that'the British troops were short of provisions, and immediately thirteen canoe-loads of kumeras (sweet potatoes) were sent' down the river to the troops. Again in tho Heke war, the Maoris happened to capture some of the British transports. As soon as Heke hoard of it he said: "Take the wagons back—how can you expect me to fight men with empty stomachs?" (Laughter and applause.) That was the way they had fought the fights. (Wild applause.) Dr. Pomare concluded his remarks by reciting son>« poetical verses, to which actiou was lent by a score of Maoris armed with rifles—a very exhilarating and unusual accompaniment indeed. Then the Natives presented arms, and after becoming a little mixed over the commands given them, made a masterly retreat to the back of the stage. In addition to the various hakas and delightful poi dances, there were several vocal numbers of undeniable charm. Nurse Te Au, of Otaki, who is gifted with a soft mellow soprano voice, sang "The Waking of Spring'' with much charm of manner, and as an encore sang to the delight of everyone Alfred Hill's "Waiata Poi," accompanied by a bevy of poi manipulators, who gave life and meaning to the song. Sho also sang "A Birthday Song" and ar.other pretty ballad, all in the best of good taste. In the first poi dance the musical accompaniment was supplied by two banjos and two mouth organs, played by Maoris. In their dances the warriors' torsos wero scored elaborately with black markings, prominent i>mong which were the figure 8, Miss Doughty's number in the Queen Carnival contest, which the concert was in aic'. of. Mr. T'ai Heketa sang "Love, Could I Only Tell Thee," "Home, Dearie, Home" (with a Maori girl chorus), and "Rolling to Kio." The. Misses Tahiwi sang the duet, "A Maori Slumber Song," very sweetly; Miss Tangi Utiku executed a Highland fling, and a quartet of comedians sang a ditty entitled "Chicken Pie" with appropriate gusto. Occasion was taken during the concert by Mr. P. W. _Manton of thanking the Maoris who assisted them by giving the concert. Incidentally he referred to the loyalty of the raco, and tho dogged determination of tbi Maori Contingent to go to the front. He hoped they would get the chance, being certain that they would worthily uphold the fighting traditions of their forefathers. (Applause.) Ho called for throe cheers for the Maoris, vhich wero most heartily given. * During the evening Mr. A. Jacobs sold a kiwi mat prosonted by Mrs. Geo. Denton. This was boutrht four times, and was finally knocked down for £9 to Mrs. Gibson. The sale realised £21. A piu piu (presented by Miss Doughty) brought £16 10s., and a carved stick (presented by Mr Lindergriffen) brought £8 10s., at total for the sale of £46 10s. Among those present were the Countess of Liverpool, Mrs. W F. Massey, Mrs. Pomare, and the Mayor and Mrs. Luke.

SALE OF PEDIGREE AYRSHIRES. A sale of pedigree Ayrshire cows and heifers will be held in. the Palmerston North show grounds on Thursday, on account of those well-known breeders, Messrs. Webb and Sons, Greenfields, Koputaroa. The 14 head to be offered are from heavy milking dams, a number of which have qualified under semi-official test, and are closely related to "Heather Jill," whose Tecord shows 93281b. of milk and 468.91b. of butter-fat under S.O. test. Special attention is directed to "Lady Stately" and "Countess Stately," whose dam "Dark Stately" qualified under S.O. test, and also to "Peerless Stately," whose dam "Bonny Stately" in eight months, has given 90001b. milk and 3201b. butter-fat, and is still milking. Messrs. Webb and Sons have been large prfzetakers throughout the North Island, and have been for a nnmber of years building up their herd from milk-record animals. Sale commences at 12 o'clock noon. Messrs. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., are the auctioneers, from whom catalogues may be obtained.