MAORI DANCES AND GAMES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 127, 22 February 1919, Page 2

MAORI DANCES AND GAMES

PERMANENT RECORD PROPOSED. Recently tho Hon. A. T. Ngata, M.P., brought under the 'attention of the Government the desirability of endeavour-' iiig to supplement the work which has been done by the completion of Wil-' liams's dictionary of the Maori language by long phonographic records inade of the spoken Maori tongue. 'Mr. Ngata also suggested that kinematograph pictures should lie token of Maori hakas, dances, pois, etc., for:the benefit of future ' generation's. , Tho matter has been considered., and as one of the largest Native gatherings ever held 011 the tot Coast '<• to totp place during the first week of March, to. augment the Maori Soldiers' I'und, and unveil the monument to the late Wi I'ere, it has been determined to fake steps to accede to Mr., Ngata's , wishes. There aro a few films of" poi dances in' possession of the Tourist Department which are at present stored at tho museum. It is intended that the number shall be considerably increased during the coming function, and air effort will be iiiade, besides the poi dances and hakas, to induce some of the adults and children to indulge in a number of the old-time Maori games, in order that they may be recorded by the camara. Illustrations of several of these Maori game? are now required for some nf (he museum bulletins on which Mr. Elsdon Best is engaged.

Arrangements have now been made by which Mr. J. MucDonald, of the museum staff, llr. Elsdon Best, the wellknown Maori ethnologist and author, aiso of the museum staff, and Mr. J. C. Ander-H-n, who is in control of the Turnbull Library, will -visit the Maori gala for the purpose stated.