ENTERTAINMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2732, 1 November 1894, Page 4

ENTERTAINMENT.

A Native troupe, styling themselves the Awarua Maori Black Star Haka Minstrels, gave a variety: entertainment in the Temuka Volunteer Hall on Monday evening iu aid of the funds of Holy Trinity Church at the Maori Pah. There was a very good attendance of natives and Europeans. The first part of the programme consisted of minstrel business, Messrs J. Whitau and W. Samuel acting as " Bones," and Messrs I. Rehu W. Tepa and D. Robertson as "Tambos." Mr J. J. Heap officiated as pianist, and Mr J. Kennedy as interlocutor. The songs were chiefly of the comic order, perhaps the best being " Three Men went a Hunting," by Master P. Teaika, and " Temuka Town," by Mr M. Reihana. The choruses were taken up with much spirit, and with evident enjoyment to the performers as well as the audience. A sketch, " Before the Beak," elicited much laughter, as did also Mr I. Rehu W. Tepa's banjo selection, " The Nigger and the Fly." One of the most amusing incidents of the evening was the Scotch reel, danced by Messrs Tepa, Campbell, Reihana, and Robertson, two of whom danced iu female costume. For the reel Mr Pyke provided bagpipe music, and subsequently he added to the entertainment by dancing a sailor's hornpipe. In the second part the opening chorus was enjoyed because of its novelty, as was also the war-dance. Mr Tepa danced an Irish jig very well, and Master Teaiki was again successful with " Poor Little Joe." The other songs and sketches were creditably performed, and the entertainment, as a whole, demonstrated that there is a lot of musical talent at the native reserve only awaiting development. After the entertainment there was a dance, at which music was provided by Messrs Heap, Colville, and Barratt. Mr Jenkins officiated as M.C. The proceeds will prove a welcome addition to the church funds.