NEW ZEALAND IN PAGEANT.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 138, 12 June 1911, Page 7

NEW ZEALAND IN PAGEANT.

THE TREATY OF WAITANGI. (From Onr Special Correspondent) LONDON, May 5. A general meeting of New Zealanders called at '25 Knightsbridge, W., on Tuesday to enlist volunteers for the New Zealand scene at the Pageant of London was honoured by the presence of the Prime Minister <ii the Dominion. About seventy New Zealanders were ; present, including Sir William Russell and Miss Russell, Miss Eileen Ward and Mr. Gladstone Ward, Lady Stout, Mr. An- i drew Rutherford, Mr. Hal Williams, Mrs. Alington, Rev. H. Williams, Mr. T. E. Donne, Mr. and Jas. Waxnock,. Messrs. F. H. Nuding, Creighton Hale, A. J. Fowler, J. A. Burt, C. J. Bruce, R. B. Brett and Dr. Bernard Myers. Sir Wm. Russell, who presided, ex- ! plained that about 30 men were required for the New Zealand scene, and about | 300 men and women for the Masque of Empire which concludes the Pageant. The New Zealand scone was to be a representation of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, and the Maoris who were present on that historic occasion would be represented by the members of Maggie Papakura's Maori troupe, which arrived in London last Saturday. Volunteers were called for to play the part of naval officers, missionaries, settlers, whalers, troopers and sailors. As fori the ladies, they would only be required for the final scene, the Masque of Empire, and would wear classical costumes of white, silver and gold. (Here Sir William held up a sample costume, and in response to calls of "Try it on," gallantly mounted a chair and spread the costume out to view.) The hon. secretary of the New Zealand Pageant Committee, Mr. H. G. Scholefield, stated that already 50 or 60 New Zealanders had definitely decided to take part. Descendants of tie Rev .H. Williams, the missionary, and of Mr. Bushy, the British resident, who were present at the signing of the treaty, had agreed to represent them at the Pageant, These included the Rev. Keith Williams. Mr. Oswald Williams, and Mr. Hal Williams. Amongst others enlisted were Miss Ward and Mr. Gladstone Ward, Mrs. Boys, Miss Russell, who would take one of the leading parts, two of the Misses HallJones, Lady Stout, Sir Arthur Douglas, Miss Douglas, Miss Ainger, Mrs. David Crewe, Misses Herrick, Handyside and Halse, Messrs. J. H. Burt and G. P. Armstrong, Miss Mowat, Mrs. Kilgour, Mr. Forbes Shepherd, Miss Gillies, and I three Misses Rutherford. Sir Joseph Ward, who was received with loud applause, then addressed the I meeting. He said: "I want to say what a pleasure it is to mc to find such a large attendance of New ZealandeT3 in connection with this important ceremony which is to take place in the Coronation season. I am perfectly sure, judging by the attendance, especially of ladies, that the success of the New Zealand portion of the Pageant is assured. And I want to say how much I appreciate the activity displayed by the New Zealand Committee and their coadjutors, who have devoted themselves to the work with that enthusiasm without which nothing can be made a great success. When the news is wafted to those arriving in England that this movement is being taken up with activity, I am sure there will be no difficulty in getting adequate support. In New Zealand it will be regarded as a matter of extreme importance. It tends to keep our country actively before the people here, and it helps to impress upon them the fact that we are anxious to keep New Zealand in close union with each portion of the Empire. And I believe the outoome of this undertaking will have that effect. New Zealanders will be pleased to hear of the work that is being carried ont with that fine spirit that is characteristic of New Zealand." (Applause.) Sir William thanked the Prime Minister for his encouraging remarks and promise of support. The names of Mr. David Crewe, Mr. C. Hale and Mrs. Bethell were added to the committee, and after the meeting a large number of -Chose present wi&re 'enrolled (for the Pageant.