MAORI CHOIR RETURNS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20497, 13 May 1938, Page 8

MAORI CHOIR RETURNS

MESSAGE FROM KING A SUCCESSFUL VENTURE (By Telegrapn.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Thursday After 14 months’ tour of the Australian Stales and the British Isles, during which they were presented to and sang before the King and Queen, the Waiata Maori Choir returned to Auckland this morning from London by the Rotorua. The members spoke with enthusiasm of the success of the venture, the first they had undertaken, but all spoke with unfeigned joy of seeing again their native land. The King expressed the wish that the choir take, back to New Zealand his love of his people, both pakeha and Maori. Similar sentiments were expressed by Lord Bledisloe and Mr W. J. Jordan, the New Zealand High Commissioner. The choir left New Zealand in March, 1937, travelled from Australia via Suez and spent seven months in Britain. WONDERFUL PUBLICITY CIVIC RECEPTION HELD (By Telegraph.—Press Association) AUCKLAND, Thursday Welcoming the Waiata Maori Choir at a civic reception in the Town Ilall this afternoon, the Mayor. Sir Ernest Daris. said the successful tour had provided wonderful publicity for New Zealand. The Rev. A. J. Seamcr, who accompanied the choir, said New Zealand' was now more widely known and honoured than ever. Widespread interest. had been shown in Maori music. The Rev. Te Lira Tuteao, manager of the choir, and two others. wore Maori costume, and the choir sang two melodies.