THE SAVAGE CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1922, Page 6

THE SAVAGE CLUB.

WELCOME TO THE WAHINES. There were gay rejoicings, music, song, dancing and a big tangi in the camp of the New Plymouth Savages on Saturday night, when the tribe mustered in strong force to welcome the wahines. And the whare bore a festive appearance. an attractive scheme of decoration having been employed to make the setting appropriate to the notable occasion. Spreading punga ferns had been brought from afar, and placed here and there about the room gave a novel touch in the general plan of greenery wrapping the bare walls of the hall. Colored lights were hidden in the ferns, streamers in many hues waved down from the ceiling to the giant tree-ferns in the centre, while quaint-shaped balloons of varied shades were suspended in groups. When the hall was filled by the largo gathering it was a bright scene, and the tribesmen felt glad and proud of the splendid work of those in charge of the arrangements. All the modern devices of the art of decoration were not allowed to diminish those emblems of true Savages which must accompany the tribe wherever it camps, and the spacious black sheet with the big white skull and cross-bonfes waa to remind all of the meaning of the meeting-place, whilst around the chair of the chief rangatira were ma.-> sive bones and other weird articles Which spell all the meaning of his great and responsible office. But it was a strange rangatira that welcomed the wahines this night, for the genial chief ( R. W. D. Robertson) showed more loyalty to his true ancestral tribe than to the traditions of the race of Savages, startling the decorum of the proceedings by marching in to his installation in full Highland costume, accompanied by a real Highland piper and his pipes. It w r as a refreshing inauguration which thoroughly delighted. Then came the braves of te hapu in all their warpaint to give their haka of greeting, which was taken up by the other Savages. until the hall rang with the song of welcome. Then followed the installation of the chief rangatira, carried out by Savage A. L. Moore, and the chief gave an excellent address of welcome. A pretty incident was the offering made by Miss Bedford from the guests. After Savage C. H. Wynyard had replied on behalf of the wahines, the orchestra—which had mustered in strong force —under the able conductorship of Savage F. W. G. McLeod, opened ♦he programme of musical items. The very best talent bf the tribe had been mustered and the programme was an excellent one. Songs were sung by Savages A. R. Macdonald, A. L. Hay, F. E. Gooder-. recitations were given by Savages A. L. Moore, B. Hartman and W. G. Holder: the choir (under Savage R. N. Renaud) gave some excellent items: Savages R. H. Bartley and S. Cottier plaved a flute and ’cello duet: The Melod'< Four (Savages Hooker. Okey. Gooder and Macdonald) sang; and the orchestra compl-eted the enjoyment of the programme with two special pieces, including the Savage Club Galop.

Te tangi followed, and here again was found evidence of the tribe’s industry and skill to prepare rare dishes to delight their guests. !B„v now the time lied passed, but there was just an hour left for dancing, which was carried on till a few minutes before midnight, when n delightful evening was brought to a close. The function will be remember ed in the history of the Savages, and they will all have still another good word to «ay for the work of their secretary (Savage C. H. Wyatt).