MAORI WAR DANCE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5473, 11 October 1878, Page 3

MAORI WAR DANCE.

On the evening of Sept. 18th an entertainment of a novel character, which had been announced for some time previous, aud was looked forward to with much interest, came off most successfully at the Opera House. It consisted of war dances by Maoris dressed iu appropriate costume, and was interspersed by vocal sclectioas, in which Miss D’Arcy, Miss Allen, Mr. T. Margetts, Mr. Parker, Mr, Smith, and others took part. The leading features of the performance, and that which drew a house filled to overflowing were the Maori “ Haka and Waiata,” which many of the audience had never seen before. Half-au-hour before the performance commenced there was an immense crowd collected in Manners-street, and very soon after tho doors were opened every available seat was taken; many had to be content with standing room, and others, again, had to be sent 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. Sheehan, and amongst those present were several members of Parliament and leading citizens, with a fair 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 on to the stage by the audience, whose reception of the performance must have been most gratifying to those who took part iu it, and especially to Mr. Cooper and Mr. Cary, under whose superintendence it was carried out. In the haka tho Wanganui natives 'were led most ably by Wiki Kemp and UoParewhahairiri, supported by chiefs- and other natives. In the waiata the East Coast natives were also ably led aud supported, but our reporter did not catch the names of tho loaders. At the close of the performance Mr. Gary addressed the audience, thanking them on behalf of the Maoris and the promoters for their liberal patronage and for the hearty reception accorded to the performance. The entertainment was first projected by Mr. Cooper and the Maoris, but it was afterwards suggested that the Benevolent Society should he benefited by it, and to this the Maoris agreed, aud the performance was announced as being in aid of the Benevolent Society, whose permission had not been asked, as this was considered unnecessary. After reading the letter from the secretary, Mr. Bowles, which appeared in the Times, he (Mr. Cary) had waited ou a member of the society, who informed him that the society objected to the performance itself. He appealed to tho audience if there was anything objectionable in the performance as presented to them that night. (Cries of “ No, no,” and applause.) He again thanked tho audience for their patronage, and stated that after paying expenses the proceeds would ho devoted to the funds of the Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, and the poor box at the R.M. Court. (Cheers.) We hear that the performance will be repeated at an early date,