BIRDS IN THE WILDERNESS

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27374, 12 June 1954, Page 6

BIRDS IN THE WILDERNESS

IBy

WHIM WHAM]

“Please accept on behalf of the city of Auckland our congratulations on the excellence of the Christchurch Harmonic Choir which gave such a wonderful performance in Auckland over the week-end . . .”—The Mayor of Auckland (Mr Luxford), to the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr Macfarlane). All Honour, fellow Jokers, to’ The intrepid Auckland Party who Braved the uncharted » South—bold-hearted Explorers of those unknown Climes Which are the Subject of these . Rhymes! Below Cook Strait that Region lies. But AH was Legend, or Surmise, Commercial Travellers’ Tales—no More— Of What whs on the further shore: Strange Tales, indeed, That One might read In Auckland’s Annals, of good Men Gone South, and never seen again. Ferocious Cannibals (Some said) The Southern Parts inhabited. Some, with more Science or Acumen. That Monsters of a Race sub-human (From Times pre-Noah) Hunted the Moa And ranged, all reeking with their Slain, The fabled Khan-tir-buri Plain. Till-Auckland’s brave Discoverers sent In Search of the Dark Continent, Primed with the Culture of the North, Armed and provisioned, sallied forth. Did it exist, This Land of Mist? Bare Rock? Or Nature’s wild Profusion? Or just “The Snares” and a Delusion? Then, and then only, was it known That Music flourished in that Zone— Voices as sweet as any Flute, too, Undreamt-of north of Te Awamutu; Unearthly Notes From trilling Throats, Just like the Birds whose mingled Measure Gave Captain Cook such simple Pleasure. Now, for all Time, in Auckland’s Halls, Whoever sings, chants, caterwauls, No Sound Will issue from the Mouth Like Those from the mysterious South: Ah (they will say), THAT was the Day! Choirs may be Choirs, but None so sweet as is The legendary Victor Peters’s!