NATIVE CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 482, 18 September 1909, Page 3

NATIVE CONCERT.

The above concert, organised for the purpose of raising funds for renovating the native church at Moutoa, took place in the local Public Hall on Thursday night, and was thoroughly appreciated by a fair audience. Mrs J. Symons was responsible for the European portion of the programme, which, in point of merit, would be diffi cult to excel. The hakas (Maori men) and graceful poi dances by the wahines were alone worth the price of admission. The following are the names of those who took part in the poi dances : Ani (leader), Nan, Ngangira, Amo, Mamao, Thapera, Kumepo, Etna. They were attired in white dresses and red sashes, except the leader, who wore a double blue sash, and each had a huia feather (the emblem of high rank) resting in the hair. The graceful movements of the dancers were timed to the playing of a harmonica. This party, at intervals during the evening, demonstrated all that can be learnt in the poi line, and they fairly brought down the house. The hakas by Messrs Petuera, Wbiti, Wati, Tauhu, Ropa, Hori, Kaha, and Hukiki, were carried out in grim earnest, and the building fairly shook as their feet kept time to the movements of their bodies. - The grimaces and war whoops were sufficient to inspire the boldest with fear. It was a great display. The pakeha contributors to the programme included two new arrivals, Mr Preston and Master Skeet (of Hastings). The former will be a great acquisition at local concerts. He possesses a very rich voice and is equally at home in sentimental or humourous items. His rendering of “The Champion of the King ” was deservedly encored, and when later he appeared in character as “The Washerwoman,” he kept the audience in a ripple of laughter. Needless to add, he was accorded a great ovation. Master Skeet is' a born comedian, and his originality and clear enunciation in bis character song, “Don’t You Know,” and “Doh Rah Me Pah,” took on immensely, and he had to respond to vociferous encores. Other contributors to the programme were : Mrs Wrigley, Misses Symons (3) and Cook, Messrs Jeuks, Wrigley, Cook and Hornblow. Instrumental items were rendered by Misses Cook, Symons (2) and Edwards. The accompaniments were played by Misses Cook and Jenks, Mr M. Royal, on behalf of the natives, publicly thanked Mrs Symons and others who had assisted, after which the National Anthem was sung.