MAORIS FOR AMERICA.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 504, 11 May 1909, Page 2

MAORIS FOR AMERICA.

A COMPANY OF ENTERTAINERS. ; Auckland,' May 10. An Auckland gentleman has- successfully completed negotiations for the visit of a large conlpany. of Maori entertainers to NewVbrk. .The company, it is uridfirstoodj will consist of 40 Maoris from the Rotortia district—2s ineii and 15 women and girls— and will lcav.o Aucldaiid about the end'of July next, opening in New York at tho end of August. . The: engagement;-is to .extend oyer nine months. The enterprising; firm, which has entered into this engagement is that which 1 controls the Now York, Hippodrome. The selection; of , the company has practically been already completed.; , Efforts are being mado-to Secure tho services of the Rev, j)\ A.- Bennett) as manager, but there ,is some!.difficulty'.in this connection, owing to ' the necessity. for finding a suitable 'substitute to carry ,on Mr. Bennett's Work . bit ltotorua while he would, be Sway. It is, however, hoped that a way; may bo,; found out of "tho difficulty, as 'it' is generally agreed that nd better man tould be found, to manage the company than Mr. Bennett.. .The success of the Maori company which toured New Zealand last year was mainly owing to the fact that he was in charge of it, ■while tie wonderful part singing of-tho choir is largely due to his training! Though Maori songs and part singing, may form • a ■portion'tf the - entertainment .to be provided ,in New; York'i' interest will no doubt chiefly centre in tho poi dances and hakas. The members of the company will probably include one or two. well-known tattooed chiefs, Tho visit, of tho tompahy' to Netir York, it is understood, has the approval of tho Gov eminent,-it beiiig, however, recognised that everything- depends Upon' tho proper management and control of the company. All fear on this', score will, of course, vanish, if the way is mado open for' Mr. Bennett to accompany tho party. The oifef of this N<nV York Jirnl has beeii; accepted provisionally dn the Governmont approving of managerial arrangements. ..' A- representative of tho Now York iirm'is'. Ibaying. iinmtxliately for Auckland to complete tho necessary arrangements. •_ .