BRITISH ENTERTAINED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1020, 10 July 1930, Page 16

BRITISH ENTERTAINED

MAORIS GIVE DINNER TO TEAM GUESTS GREETED BY HAKA Press Association WELLINGTON, Today. The British Rugby team was entertained by the Maori Rugby Advisory Board at h complimentary dinner last evening, thrf tribes being represented by distinguished members constituting a notable gathering. The guests were received with a rousing haka and great enthusiasm was displayed throughout the evening. The chairman, Sir Apirana Ngala proposing, “The British Race,’’ said the Maoris regarded their meeting with the British team as a. very notable event New Zealand was one of the political miracles of the earth as it had put the native race, save with minor exceptions, on full equality with the pakeha. It was Maori good fortune that ihe country came under the aegis of the British Crown. Mr. James Baxter, manager of the British team, thanked the Maoris for their hospitality which the team was delighted to accept. The team sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Dr. G. Adams proposed the health, of the Maori people, saying that the Maoris had played a fine attacking game against the British. The team gave a splendid display of playing the game for the game’s sake and not for a win. A Maori entertainment was later given in. the Town Hall when 300 natives in full Maori costume submitted a characteristic programme which included a lament for the late Sir Maui Pomare by members of liis own tribe, the Atiawas, and also a lament for Sir Joseph Ward.