THE MAORI PAH.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12502, 25 May 1906, Page 7

THE MAORI PAH.

(SPECIAL TO "THS PBKSS.") WELLINGTON May 24. ■- Mr A. Hamilton, of the Colonial Museum, who ban. gone to Christohurch in connection with Exhibition matters, has received a letter from the manager • of the Royal Rotorua Poi Girls and War ' Dance Company, asking under what conditions they oan give poi dances, ,war dances, and tableaux a* the Exhibition Mr Hamilton says that arrangement will be made to invite the Rotorua natives to the Maori Pah at the Exhibition, and all those who are engaged in work about the pah, or in the dances, will be paid. Hβ will not, however, agree to pay non-workers, though the women and children of the workers will reoeive food and accommodation. Mr Hamilton thinks that the Maori part of the Exhibition, will be one of its most interesting feature*. A large number of carved dabs are now at the Museum here, awaiting transhipment to Chrietohurch. Mr Hamilton eaya that the Government is doing all in its power to make this section a success, and ho is also well supported in hie efforts by an excellent sub-oommitteo in Christohurch, with whom it is c pleasure .to work. I In the Early History Section, which is being arranged for by the Canterbury court Executive Commi.teo, w 11 be ex- . habited as many rolio*, photographs, 'pictures, documents, etc., as can be. collected. The committee hope t? re- ; oeive loans of euoh from peope who I possess them. The Blue Jumpero" Aesoi ciation, composed of volunteers who ■ served in the sixties, have arranged to contribute photographs of eamly volunteers, and if private vqlunteere follow suit, the committee wiH be ab)e to make a good display. At the Jubi'ee Exhibition of 1900 the Early History room was one of the mast interesting j features. I At the meeting of the Blue Jumpers last night Major Wolfe mentioned that active stops would be taken to secure as large a representation as possible , of tho pictures of the volunteers of the sixties for display in the Canterbury Court of the Exhibition. Communica- , tion would be opened up with old volun- : teers throughout Canterbury with thie object. The Entertainment Committee have liad before them for some thno c proposal that the "Beseee of the Barn," probably the finest brass band organisation in the world, should pay a visit to Christchurcb during the Exhibition. . Messrs J. and Nevin Tait, who were projecting an Australasian tour of the band, approached the committee on the subject. The proposal, however, involved an expenditure of £4000, ami as , the committee did not feel justified in recommending this to the Government the negotiations fell through. Recently, however, another offer was made for a month's visit from tho band, at a cost of £2500. This t)he committee considered, and recommended Hs accentonce. It was proposed that tJie month's visit should be divided into a fortnight early in December and one . early in March. Correspondence ensued be~ • iween the chairman of tne crwmn'jttee , , the Commissioners, and tho Minister in : charge ef.the Exhibition, but the Minister did not see his xr&y clear to snnction the expenditure. The committee reiterated their recommendation, and ! after further correspondence the Minister has agreed to accept the recommendation of the committee, and the visit will be arranged as proposed.