A DRESS REHEARSAL.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 10988, 11 June 1901, Page 5

A DRESS REHEARSAL.

SOME INTERESTING PRESENTS,

(special" to "the press.".

AUCKLAND, June JO. Not only is the camp at Rotorua military in formation, but it is under strict discipline. The fine, however, for drunkenness has never yet been inflicted, and tbe behaviour of the natives is excellent. Every day fresh contingents have arrived; and picturesque Maori welcomes 'have ensued. The Arawa tribe, who, to a certain extent, act as hosts, have behaved most liberallj-. If ths real performance excels the* dress »rebearsal held .last Saturday our Royal visitors will be greatly impressed. Those who are best versed in these old time dances are of. ths Uriwera tribs, who yielded the most reluctantly to European influence, and one old chief in especial acts as a sort of master of _fe_en_o__.es.

A very interesting figure is'that of old Major Fox, a tattoed warrior, who fought for us years ago, and now is anxious to meet ths grandson of tlie Queen for whom' be risked his life. He i. very frail and unable to sneak much.

It is probable the first part of the programme for the reception will be an excit; ing mock attack on the Arawa natives by the other tribes.

The gifts to be presented to the Duke will be both numerous and valuable. One chieftainess, Victoria Kemp, has brought no less than thirty-five mats and greenstone and whalebone meres. Taiahas and closka ara to ba presented in. quantities. The Arawa tribe have expert carvers working at a beautiful model carved house, six feet long, in -which a Maori address is to be placed. They are giving his Royal Highness the Duke a splendid model of a war canoe, twelve feet long, and gifts of all kinds.

At the" end of la.t week the weather at Rotorua was wretched, and the mud most unpleasant, but during the last day or two it has cleared, and tbe place is drier.