CARNIVAL AT WEMBLEY.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18220, 3 November 1924, Page 13

CARNIVAL AT WEMBLEY.

MAORI TABLEAUX AND DANCES. A MINIATURE ROTORUA. (from our own correspondent.) LONDON, September 24. It is almost an impossibility to import the carnival spirit into a London crowd. Londoners will not abandon themselves to revelry iu public. When it is said that there has been a Carnival Week at the British Empire Exhibition this does not mean that the people have been indulging in even a mild "maf eking." Nevertheless, something has been done to make the Exhibition much more attractive after eight o'clock in the evening. The lake which runs from the front of the New Zealand Pavilion to the Indian Pavilion is one of the features of tlte grounds, and it lends itself admirably to a decorative scheme' in the night-time. The lighting effects are verv beautiful. Several strings of coloured electric, globes encircle the wholo lake, and these are reflected in Die water beneath. How many thousands of lights, at intervals of a foot or two, it takes to encircle the lake it would be difficult, to say. Flood lights arc placed all over the gardens and the green banks. Coloured lights are also hung in every tree. The island of dancing is a blaze of coloured lights, and electric, launches flit over tho waters of the' lake bearing passengers "around the Empire for sixpence." From time to time water fireworks east a circle of vivid colour over the already Veil-lighted surroundings. The wall?, of pavilions arc flooded with rose light from the opposite buildings. Such a setting as this lends itself to a. carnival. But it has been a very sober and quiet, carnival. To many people perhaps none the less pleasant for that. One of the suggestions was that the various Dominions should stage some scene on the lawns opposite their pavilions which should be tvpical of life in the respective countries. It may not be that steaming gc'vscrs and dancing Maoris are typical of' New Zealand, but at least the presentation of this phase of the Dominion leaves a vivid impression on the minds of spectators, and. has the effect of attracting thousands of people, whereas the less spectacular scenes presented by other Dominions attract few iu comparison. Tn front of the left wing of the New Zealand Pavilion is a line sloping lawn which forms an excellent stage. As a background there is the lighted restaurant with' it? weird decorations. On the footpath running along the top a black background" had been arranged with the New Zealand coat of arms >all but the human figures'; painted on it. Britannia and "the Maori were represented bv human figures later on. and the li'ood light? played on the tableau. On tile right the Samoan house was cut off with a line of Maori palisading verv realistic scenery that had been used "in the pageant. The gateway has been especially well done. Groups of rocks had been placed in position on the lawn, and presently from these were emitted hissing clouds of steam. The effect was most imposing. although, of course, there was no attempt to make the geysers "play, ,;

Some stuffed Romncy lambs had been borrowed from tlic meat exhibit, and llieso were grouped at the sides. They served also as scats for the young wahines. About a. hundred Maori men and maidens then appeared and grouped themselves on the lawn. It was perhaps not inappropriate that many of them used butter-boxes as chairs. Then followed the plaintive farewell sung by the East Coast Maoris on the occasion of the departure of the second Maori contingent to the war. The men faded away beyond the stockade, and the maidens, led by Mr Te Kiri, sang a powhiri of welcome. Then the men, led by Major B. Danscy, emerged through the gateway and performed a war dance, to the great delight of thousands of spectators who had assembled. From eight o'clock to ten each night the programme has been, repeated, and the dances varied. Indeed, those London men and girls who have so genetously assisted in the pageant and in this minor performance have become remarkably efficient iu their work, and their repertoire is by no means limited. But it must be admitted that Mr Te Kiri gives the expert touch to the performances, and his barbarian antics have been a great delight to his large audiences. , He, too, has thoroughly enjoyed himself.