Extravaganza too

Te Ao Hou, November 1957, Page 51

Extravaganza too For the lighter side of proceedings, yes we had time for that. A concert programme was arranged for the night prior to our departure. What Maori gathering overlooks this important function? As a member of the second intake of Welfare Officers I cannot comment on the programme of the first group but I understand that they had a first class programme under the leadership of Peter Awatere, Brownie Puriri and Jimmy Pou. For the second group the organisation was in the capable hands of Waka Clarke, Peter Kaua, Maud Tamihana, Sam Mitchell and Wi Amaru. To an audience who literally dropped out of the sky (fifty plane passengers were marooned at 6 p.m. because of the wet weather and had to spend the night at the hotel) Waka Clark, compere, introduced the “Musical Extravaganza of 1957” with the first number “Down at Paraparaumu” conducted by Professor Amaru and rendered by the Eight Singing Fools “a la” Platter style. The programme varied from singing to magic mysteries of the East with thirty six items to complete, the final being a stirring haka led by John McCreary in full cry “Koko Ma Ko Koko Ma” less the bagpipes of course. We are grateful also to the Management of the Majestic Hotel for the splendid service rendered and the wonderful supper they provided not only for the Conference Group but also for the plane travellers who, with the Management, were our guests for the concert. This week was a really great deal of benefit to us all personally and I sincerely hope that in time our people will also gain by our renewed outlook, shown and demonstrated. * * *