ALL-MAORI FILM

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 309, 21 March 1928, Page 13

ALL-MAORI FILM

REGATTA PHOTOGRAPHED SOON “ON LOCATION” (Special to THE SUN) NGARUAWAHIA, Monday. The excellent opportunity provided by the meeting of so many Maoris at Ngaruawahia on Saturday enabled Mr. Alexander Marky, the Universal Corporation's director, to obtain some splendid “shots” for travelogues. Mr. Marky and hip cameramen specially motored across from Rotorua for the regatta, and returned to the Thermal district in the evening. The director hopes to go “on location” in the Bay of Plenty later in the month. At present he is making a series of screen types, and to date has met with quite a number of successes from the photographic point of view. “But I am in no hurry,” Mr. Marky informed The Sun’s special representative, “because I want to get the very best possible results.”

A number of tests were taken at the Ngaruawahia Pa of Princess Te Puea Herangi. Both the princess and her husband posed in native attire for the American director. Among others who faced the camera were the two daughters of the late Mr. Henare Kaihau, M.P., and Mrs. Kaihau, of Auckland. An important conference has taken place at Rotorua between Mr. Marky and members of the Maori Ethnological Board. Sir Apirana Ngata, M.P., on behalf of members of the board, expressed his keenest interest in the project of making a Maori film. Sir Apirana is personally arranging a big hui, or meeting, in his own district for Mr. Marky, which will be photographed and probably form part of the feature film. As the principals have not yet been selected. Mr. Marky explained, it has not been possible to go ahead with the original scenario to any great extent. Mr. Marky and his party, who were accompanied by Mrs. Kaihau, were the guests of Princess Te Puea at luncheon on Friday. Over 40 people accepted the invitation of the rangitlra, who characteristically offered a warm welcome. The proceedings were opened with the singing of the Maori Kingite national anthem, a procedure seldom adopted nowadays.