A NOVEL ENTERPRISE.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume VIII, Issue 813, 30 August 1879, Page 2

A NOVEL ENTERPRISE.

A NUMBER of gentlemen residing in Gisborne, Mr. Richard Kelly being the central figure, have resolved to send 25 Maoris—l8 men and 7 women—to Australia, to afford our countrymen “on the other side” an opportunity of judging, by representative specimens, whether this celebrated aboriginal race has been overpraised. The smart schooner Telegraph, owned by Mr. Kelly, has been selected for the voyage, and is now being fitted up by Mr. C. D. Berry, expressly with a view to providing for the comfort and health of the passengers. The main-hold has been converted into a large cabin for the accommodation of the Maoris. A large skylight will cover the main-hatch, and great care has been bestowed upon providing ample ventilation. The Natives will be supplied with plenty of blankets, and all other accessories to enjoyment. The vessel will probably leave this port next week and is expected to arrive in Sydney about the third week in September; in time for the opening of the Exhibition; although to the majority of the people who will be gathered there for the occasion from all parts of the globe this little show will be as novel and interesting as anything to be seen within the walls of its gigantic and pretentious, but national, brother. Upon leaving Sydney the troupe will make a tour through the colonies, and it is probable that from four to six months will elapse before the New Zealanders touch their much-loved Poverty Bay again. The entertainment will consist of a series of hakas (war dances) and performances best adapted to illustrate the leading traits, habits, and customs of the Maoris. To attain this end effectually all kinds of implements used by the Natives in peace and war will be taken. By far the larger number of the troupe are of the great loyal tribe, the Ngatiporou, whose head is the famous chief Ropata, a name which must be familiar to those who have read Lieutenant Gudgeon’s exceedingly interesting book,“Reminiscences of the War in New Zealand,” as being that of a person who had done the State much service. But even in times of peace this fine old warrior is a power in the land. A few months ago, when Te Whiti refused to give up Hiroki the murderer, the Defence Minister, foreseeing possible trouble on the West Coast, requested Captain Porter to ascertain if the Ngatiporou would respond to the call of the Government, in case of need. Ropata promptly replied in the affirmative; and the promise has been fulfilled as far as has yet been required, for two days ago the Government steamer Hinemoa conveyed about thirty of the finest young men in the tribe to Taranaki to act as scouts. The troupe will be accompanied by a well-known resident of this place, who is thoroughly conversant with the Maoris, having lived amongst them for many years, and is personally acquainted with all the exhibitors, who look forward to the trip with delight. They will live on board the schooner and be thoroughly under control, only being allowed ashore occasionally. This latter precaution, however, is more with a view to keeping them select, than from any other motive, inasmuch as it would be almost impossible for a Maori to lose himself; and should he happen to be afflicted with an enormous appetite and paucity of cash at the same time; if his appetite remained unsatisfied, some other cause than bashfulness would have to be found for the phenomenon. We hope the promoters of the scheme will reap a rich harvest; they deserve our good wishes for thus advertising New Zealand. That they will be successful cannot be doubted, when it is considered that in such places as Wellington and Napier, where the Maori is as familiar a sight to the inhabitants as the rising and setting of the sun, Maori entertainments draw crowded houses. Only a month or two ago Mr Robert Cooper, of this place, induced some Maoris to give a war-dance in the principal theatre of the Empire city for a charitable purpose, and the house was crammed to the ceiling. Mr J. R. Scott proceeds to Sydney as advance agent, and from his experience and business ability, 'should be able to arrange for a most successful tour.