WITH THE SAVAGES. FIRST PUBLIC KORERO.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1922, Page 4

WITH THE SAVAGES.

FIRST PUBLIC KORERO.

Lured by the mystery that surrounds the doings of the New Plymouth Savage Club, a large number of people attended at the Empire Theatre last night to see the veil lifted. Though, perhaps, the Savages did not expose all their tribal secrets, yet they introduced enough of their strange rites into their first public korero to arouse the keen interest of those present.

As a prelude to a pleasant evening of song and story, the chief rangatira (Savage D’Arcy Robertson) was installed on the Savage throne by the Mayor (Rangatira Tuturu F. E. Wilson), who read a royal address to “the illustrious disturber of the butter market.” A necklace of pearly fish teeth and runner beans was then placed round the chief rangatira’s neck. He then was considered duly installed, and took up his seat on the pagan throne, which was appropriately surrounded by skulls and crossbones and Maori carvings, whilst two evil-looking shinbones were kept near at hand for the purpose of restoring order when necessary. The advent of the haka team on the. stage aroused great interest, the braves appearing in their mats and with their meres and feathers, while their faces were artistically tattooed. Led by Atua, the braves chanted their Te Waka greeting, followed by a Maori love-song and the stirring Komate chorus. Te Poi dance was also given, while the braves infused into the hakas such blood-curling action as would have done credit to a real Maori war party. The Melody Four (Savages F. Hooker, W. Okey, B. Bellringer, and A. B. Macdonald) rendered several musical items during the evening, and these were all popularly received. Savage Bellringer also sang “Waiata Maori” (the haka team joining in the chorus), for which he was encored. “Inter Nos” was well rendered by Savage W. L. Hay, and. eqrn?c| a recall. The same s’nger also appeared later in company with Savage Macdonald, in the duet, “The Battle Eve.” The latter, who was in good voice, gave a flrie interpretation of “The Song of the , Swqrd,” singing “King Charles” as an encore number. A very popular singer was Savage F. Baird, whose light lyric tenor voice was heard to advantage in that old - Scotch favorite “Bonnie Mary of Argyle.” Twice he was recalled, his other contributions being “Good-night, Dear Love,” and “Nervana.” A singer who is a recent comer to the New Plymouth platform was Savage C. Trehey, whose rendering of “Drake Goes West” was well received.

The Savage Club orchestra of 15 instruments rendered several enjoyable items, under the leadership of Savage F. W. G. McLeod. Savage R. N. Renaud gave a sympathetic rendering of “Rhapsodie Hongroise” (Lizst). The lighter side of the entertainment was in the hands of Savages A. L. Moore, W. G. Holder, and B. Hartman, whose humorous contributions found much favor.

A pretty and unexpected number was contributed by the Misses Atua, who gave a song and poi-dance to the accompaniment of music from Hawaiian ukeleles, played by Messrs. T. Atua and Morgan and under the direction of Mr. Atua, sent. Out of recognition for the valuable work he had done for the club, the chief rangatira, during the evening, presented Mr. Atua with “the order of the grilled bone.” The accompaniments for the various items were played by Savages H. Morey and F. P. Fredric.