A NEW OPERATIC PERFORMANCE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XIIL, Issue 200, 21 September 1878, Page 4

A NEW OPERATIC PERFORMANCE.

Lost evening, eayß the " New Zealand Timee," of Thursday, an entertainment of a novel character, which bad been announced for some time previously by advertisement, and was looked forward to with much interest, came off most successfully at the Opera Houee. It consisted of war dancea by Maoris, dressed in appropriate costume, and waa interspersed by vocal selections in which Miss D'Arcy, Miss Alleo, and Mr T. Margette, Mr Parker, Mr Smith and others took rak. The leading features of the performance, and that which drew a House filled to overflowing, were tha Maori " Hiika and Waiata," which many of the audionce had never seen before. Halfon»bour before the performance commenced there was an immense crowd collected in Manners-street, and very soon after the doors were opened every available seat was taken ; and many had to be content with standing room, and others again had to be eeot away, there being no room for them in any part of the house. The performance was under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor, Sir George Grey, and the Hon. J. Sheebßn, and amongst those present were Beveral members of Parlihment and leading citizens, with a lair sprinkling of ladies. His Excellency the Governor was heartily cheered on entering the house. The performance elicited frequent rounds of applause from all parts of the house; bouquets were thrown or. to the stage by

tbe audiecce, wLose reception of tbe performance must have been roost grutifyiug to those who took patt in if, and especially to Mr Cooper and Mr Gary, under whose superintendence it was carried out. In the haka tbe Wanganui natives were led most ably by Wiki Kemp and Te Parewhairiri, supported by chiefs and other natives. In lie waiata the Fnst Const natives wero nlso ably led and &upport?d, but our reporter dil not cntcli the Harms of the leuderß. At the close of ihe rerformance Mr Cary addressed the audience thanking them on behulf cf the Maoris and the promoters for tbe liberfal patronage and for the hearty reception accorded to the performance. The entertainment was first projected by Mr Copper and tbe Maories/but it was afterwfcrds suggested (hat the Benevolent Society should be benefiled hy it, otid to ibis tbe Maoris agreed, and the perfoirnance was announced as being in aid of the Benevolent Fo iety, whose permission had rot \ een asked, us this was considered unneceieary. After reading the Ittier from the Secretary, Mr Powler, which appeared in i lie " Times," he (Mr Cary) hud waited on a member of the Society, who informed him that the Society objected to the performance itself. He appealed (o the audience if there was anything objectionable in the performance os presented to them (hat night. (Cries of " No, no, and applause). He again thanked the audience for their patronage, and stated that after paying expenses tie proceeds would be devoted to tbo funds of tbe Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, and the poor box at tha R.M. Court. (Cheers). We hear that ihe performance will be repeated at an early date.