THE MAORILAND STRING BAND.

Shannon News, 20 July 1923, Page 3

THE MAORILAND STRING BAND.

The native string hand that was fonm>ed, in Shannon some time ago, by Air • -Jack IWoa, : has since 'fts*'*iiicfep- ; tion continued to improve day hy day. A characteristic of the Maori that once, a thing is decided on he does not go into, it half-heartedly, and especially sp where music is concerned. The natives have a soft mellow .tone in their voices and this they seem, to transfer to the instruments they play. In this particular instance they-have adopted the music of their ancestors, the; Hawaiians, and the sweet tones of' the guitars together with the, perfect time,peculiar to the music of the race* make the melodies a pleasufe anil ! treat. On Sunday last some fifty natives gathered at the Maori land Theatre to hear them, play, and were afterwards; invited to dinner, a sumptuous repast’ having been, prepared in the supper rooms of the Theatre. Mr Jacob Utiku, :I,he qond'Uictor of the;band, is,an artist; 'and is quite at borne with any instrument, having travelled to America, and the Old Country with the Maori Entertainers, who were on. tour a lew' years ago. The band will make their first public appearance on the evening of the screening of “Robin Hood,” July 27, and weather permitting will play for half an hour from the new roof garden at the theatre and afterwards for the picture programme: The,, public are invited to attend the opening and shall, we feel siire,- enjoy every -item. The following is: the personnel of the hand, which is to be known, and we hope become famous as the Maoriland String Band:— Conductor, Mr Jacob Utiku.

Hawaiian steel guitars, Tohi Kohiks Jacob Nepia, Jack Turoa, Jack Kopa-ra! Jacob Utiku. . \

Banjos, Toby Mahima, Jim Keriania,, Syd. Koparai.

Mandolins, Thompson, Nepia, Geo Rauhihi.

• Violins, Hurau Te Toms, H'api Tanara.

Flutes, Ben. Poaneke and P. Tongariro.

Kettledrum,, John White. Ukeleles, S. Kerehoma, Waka,Abraham, Pere Ropoama, J; Rauhihi, W. Rauhihi, Tom Nepia, buhoan Ransfleld.