MAORI CHOIRS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 191, 30 August 1937, Page 6

MAORI CHOIRS

Hastings-Heretaunga Given First Place BISH0P BENNETT'S PLEA The annual Maori church-choirs eontest reached its final stages on Saturday night, when the results were announced. The huge marquee erected. at the pa at Pakipaki was packed to its capacity by an audience of prominent members of the Maori race, as well as a number of Europeans. The choirs took part in ' a concert in the Hastings Municipai Theatre last evening, aud most of those from distant parts of the district returned to their homes this morningi In announcing his awards, the 3udge> the Rev. K. Liggett, L.E.A.M.,- of Hastings, said he sympathised with the choirs in having to sing in a low-roof-ed marquee. The standard of work, he said, .was exceedingly high throughout. There was a noticeable absence of ' ' scoop ' ' from one note to another. He hoped more work of a purely Maori nature would be introduced at future festivals. Tbe Maoris were among the most musical people on earth, and he urged them to produce more music. The Torere (Bay of Plentjr) choir had given the best hymn singing he had heard in the whole of his experienee. This choir i won the three hymn contests. With an aggregate of 5868 points the Hastings-Heretaunga choir was placed lirst, and the Hikurangi (East Coast) choir was the runner-up. with 5811 points. The Maori-diction judges were Sir Apirana Ngata and Messrs. Waimarama Puhara and W. H. Nikera. The Bishop of Aotearoa, the Et. Rev. F. A. Bennett, who has been conducting tbe contest, urged tbat Maori art, of which singing, was an important branch, should be fostered. The Maori people were naturally musical and their singing was wonderful. The contest was restricted to choirs from the Waiapu diocese, but he thought the daywas not far distant when the f estival would reach national status, with Maori choiTs from all over New Zealand taking paTt. These gathefrings should receive the active support of the church, he added. Bishop Bennett referred partlcularly to the performance of the Torere choir (from the Bay of Plenty) throughout the oontest. Although seven members of this choir had been ira able to participate the remainder had participated. A tribute" was paid to the ' Pakipaki people for their generosity in providing • accommodation for hundreds of visitors for the week-end. There was a • wonderful future for the Maori race, Bishop Bennett concluded, and he pleaded for a better understanding . between the two races,. ,