MAORIS IN AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 91, 26 July 1910, Page 6

MAORIS IN AMERICA.

REFUSE TO WORK OX SUNDAY. Chicago, June 3. Chicago has seen the Maoris—and been astonished. Chicago is the second largest city in the United States, and intakes a lot 'to astonish it; but when Chieagoans learned that the Maoris, who were billed as "wild savages from New Zealand' —the most startling act on the vaudeville stage," would not perform on Sundays they were amazed. The Maoris had a nine months' engagement with Shubert and Anderson to appear at the New York Hippodrome, and it happened that the Hippodrome season —which has proved a record one financially—closed two weeks before uie Maoris' contract expired. But Shubert and Anderson, instead of losing anything, saw a means of "sub-letting," and made a contract with William Morris, the big vaudeville manager, for the Maoris to perform for two 'weeks at the American Music Hall in Chicago. This contract, as the Maoris' manager (Mr. Whyte) soon learned, called for performances "each and every day" during the two weeks. The Chicago Music Hall, like most of the places of amusement in this city, remains open on Sundays—performances every afternoon and evening of the week. Mr. Whyte immediately notified the management that the Maoris would not be available for Sunday performances, they having had a distinct understanding on this matter with Shuibert and Anderson's representative before they left Rotorua. Pressure was brought to 'bear both toy William Morris and iShubert and Anderson, but the Maoris remained firm. Sunday came and they did not appear, and in spite of the difficulty .they were paid every penny due to them..

FURTHER ENGAGEMENTS LIKELY. San Francisco, June 17. The Maoris- have arrived in San Francisco, and are staying at the Central Hotel, Third-street. Though the original intention was to sail homeward by the s.s. Mariposa,, leaving here on the 29th inst., it is likely that the company will accept an attractive offer to tour South; ern California. The Oceanic Company has agreed to defer the passages to suit the Maoris, and whilst at the time: of writing nothing definite has 'been settled, it is more' than probable that the Maoris will stop over, and either catch the lioat leaving 'Frisco on August 6 (in which ease .they will miss the direct connection with the Auckland boat at Tahiti, and will have to proceed via Wellington) or that which sails on September 10. If they stay their first engagement will be for a week at a San Francisco theatre, and their second a week at Sacramento, the State capital, in connection with, an exposition which is about to be opened there. They will then go on to Los Angeles and other places. Arrangements are being made for the Maoris to play a Rugby football match against the (best team San Francisco can put into the field.