ISLAND NIGHTS.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18923, 11 February 1927, Page 9

ISLAND NIGHTS.

DUKE AND DUCHESS ENTERTAINED. NATIVE DANCES REVIVED. CABLE—PBES3 ASSOCIATION —COPTBIOHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AN D N.Z. CABLS ASSOCIATION.) MELBOURNE, February 10. A wireless message from tha Renown states that during tho afternoon a large party of Marqucsan natives, including some who camo nearly a 100 miles from the. other islands, were shown over tho ship and entertained at tea in tbe crew's quarters. Later, at the suggestion of tho Dnko and Duellos of York, the Marme Band played on the green and a few native dances were given for the benefit of the liberty men. In the evening the Duke and Duches entertained the Administrator at dinner aboiard, afterwards going ashore to witness a programme of native dances at which, after several dances, the performers chanted a song thoy recently composed in honour of their Royal Highnesses, singing their praises. The thanks of the Royal party were conveyed to the dancers and populace through an interpreter. The native dances were attractive and the exhibition was set bizarrely on a lawn, under flaring naphtha torches, with the whole village grouped round, seated on the grass. The dances were mostly hip movements and foot shuffling by women. The men were freer and more .vigorous, this dance being suggestive of a haka, but much tamer. As usual, the dances were symbolic of love and the worship of food, with evidently comic interludes, while one dance was stopped hurriedly ns it was developing into the oldtime freedom of movement. The dancers also chanted songs, one of which was reminiscent of the Poi dance of the Maoris.