MAORIS AT MAJESTIC

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 382, 16 June 1928, Page 14

MAORIS AT MAJESTIC

OUTSTANDING SUCCESS

PRINCESS TE PUEA’S MAIDS

At dawn, when leaving the shores of ancient Hawaiiki, that notable assembly of chieftains who departed for Aotearoa in the canoe Tainui, prayed to Tawera, the morning star. These Maoris, dignified of mein, and of lineage proud, prayed, too, to Tangaroa, the mighty sea god, and to the God of the Wind so that the seas might be stilled.

One of the features of the performance of Princess Te Puea and her Merry Waikato Maids last night at the Majestic was this ancient karakia, or sacred chant, descriptive of the departure of their ancestors in the Tainui canoe.

Portion also alluded to the crownins of Kins Potatau, the greatgrandfather of Te Puea, at Ngaruawahia, where she has again established the ancient Maori capital. It was Tawhiao, his son, who said that one of his mokopunas, or descendants, would arise in the land and re-establish Ngaruawahia as a place of importance. It was a spontaneous tribute to a noble woman when a crowded theatre last evening applauded the princess again and again when she stepped forward on the stage at the close of the performance, clad in a beautiful kiwi mat, a tribal heirloom, to acknowledge the appreciation for her troupe. Makas, war cries, and the ever graceful poi vied with each other in popularity. Particularly interesting were the canoe pois for which the Waikato River girls have always been famous throughout New Zealand. Te Puea’s party more than established their claim as the most talented Maori combination in all Maoriland. The effect was heightened by the maids and warriors appearing in a picturesque setting, an old-time pa with carved gateways, and manuka pallisadmg.

Phut Isew Zealanders du appreciate tlie picturesque dancing and singing ot the Maoris was clearly shown lor tlie Xgaruawahia party were continually recalled, and considerably exceeded the original time allotted for them on the programme. It is indeed a long time since an Auckland audience such genuinely novel and ai tistic tare. “The Latest From Paris.” featuring rs orma Shearer and Ralph Forbes, was the principal movie attraction. Norma on this occasion smart, up-to-the-minute young - business woman, working for an enterprising Jewish firm of ‘ costumiers. ! Norma. however, ! eventually discov- j ered that she preferred a happy homo and the youth of her heart, to the financial security and success of a business career. George Sidney and Tenen Holtz were most amusing as the Hebrew partners. Madame Tussaud withdrew the veil in her new gallery for the special benefit of Majestic patrons. Mr. Baldwin, the British Prime Minister, a particularly youthful figure, was seen with his favourite briar. He stood in a notable company that included the Four Georges. Shakespeare and President Coolidge. There were other equally entertaining items in the Majestic Magazine. “Humble Friends” revealed the secrets of mother nature from an unusual

angle, Clyde Cook amused in “Wandering Papas,” and the Majestic Orchestra, under the able direction of J. Whiteford Waugh, excelled itself i> the dainty “Caprice Viennois” of Kreisler—altogether a thoroughly diverting programme of unusually good standard.