MAORI PERFORMERS IN A FIX.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1919, Page 12

MAORI PERFORMERS IN A FIX.

AMERICAN AUTHORITIES SEIZE THEIR COSTUMES.

An .interesting clipping from the San Francisco Bulletin of 4th September, has been handed in to The Post by Mr. C. H. Barrett, who has just returned to Wellington, after a five months' business tour through Canada and tile United States.

'jFeathers may be all. that is necessary in the shape of clothing, in far-away Maoriland," the paragraph runs, "but in San Francisco—that's another matter! When the steamer Moana, of the Union Line, arrived in port from the Antipodes to-day, three Maori maids, j clad only in bird of paradise plumes, and such like, walked blithely down the gangplank, accompanied by three men of their tribe, attire' -omewhat similarly. The Maoris had '• -t'ded to fill a theatrical engagement '-.-• the Orpheum cir cuit. Now they arc :?;t without their native costumes, for she feathers were promptly seized, and turned over to Colonel John S. Irby, surveyor of the port. The plumes worn by the Maoris are denici entry in this country. The costumes consist of aigrette and bird of paradise feathers, valued at many thousands of dollars. The Maoris complain that they cannot put on their act without their native dresses." Being anxious to do something to get. our natives out of this predicament, Mr. Barrett spent the best 'part of the following day being lianded on from the British Consul to various Customs officials, but although every argument was used, the latter was adamant, and the only purpose for which the feathers could be allowed to enter the United States of America, would be for permanent exhibit in a public museum. Eventually it was agreed to write to Washington for special permission, and this, it was understood, would pretty surely be .granted under the and therefore, the Maoris would mere.;- be held up for a week or two. and their performance postponed. accordingly.