MAORIS AT PLAY

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3181, 4 September 1917, Page 10

MAORIS AT PLAY

EFFORT FOR THOSE WHO FIGHT ATTRACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT AT THE TOWN HALL. It is the very laudable ambition of tho Maoris of tho Korth Island to provide a fund with which to make sorao practical provision for their ■ own young men when they return to New Zealand from the front. To do this, the Maori Soldiers' Fund has been inaugurated by tho Natives of the Bast Coast, and trustees have been appointed who will see that tho money is soundly invested. By special legislation the trustees are empowered to acquire and hold land, and invest money in farm properties for the benefit of the fund. Towards this object the Natives of talent from the Hawke's Bay district have been touring the country, giving entertainments of amost attractive order, and last evening they appeared before a large audience at the 'lowu Hall, including Sir James Alleu, Sir James Carroll, the lion. A. M. Myers, and several members of Parliament. Without disparaging any of tho efforts of a similar character in the past, tine can safely tho entertainment is one of the 'most novel and varied that has every been given in Wellington, and the credit for that is largely due to the compilers of (ho programme, the Hon. A. T. Ngata and Mr. P. H. Tomoana (who also acted as conductor). Initially, Mr. Ngata, explained that the Maoris had fought nobly by the side of their European brothers at Clallipoli and in Prance, aiid some of their best blood had been spilt for King and EmpireTheir mission was to raise the sum of .£25,000, in order to acquire farm lands oil which thoir returned men would be employed, and later on he hoped that the Maori soldiers who had returned from the war would be able to manage such properties. They had already acquired one property in the Bay of rlentj', and before the end of next wool season tliey would have spent XBOiK) there, and "by the end of the year itwould net them between JiMOO and .£ISOO, which was not a bad return on the money invested. That evening, and for the next two nights, they would make an appeal for funds for the deserving object. They had come at a bad time, he knew, when tho people were worrying over their taxes and the War Loan, but still there were many half-crowns tucked away that would help the boys to help themselves. The Maoris had alwaysbeen fighters, but what had surprised them all was that they, had 1 proved to bo "stayers." (Applause.) Ho asked them iill'to do what they could to help, and toll their friends what a delightful entertainment it was. (Applause.)

It was truly a delightful anil very uniqtio show that the Maoris gave. Through tho first part ran a story, which was illuminated with song and story iu a vary graphic manner. Tho scene was tho village Jfnrae, where the girls, with, their pois, were at play, singing tho pimple songs of "their tribe to the delight of the old chief, whose fierce geniality and splendid dramatic presence were a distinct feature. This Native (Mr. P.'Hairaikiranga) did a taioha, or spear dance, which was terrifying enough in play, ami must liavo been a good deal more so whon the tribo was out for trouble. Tho girls also sang some graceful afltiensongs, after which I hey gave a vocal welcome to tho stu3ents who had returned from aillego, gay young bucks in white flannels, who showed sigPs of their contact 'with tho outsido world by the way they played their mandolines, "Hilars, ami ukclebos, which wcro \:se<l in a, mnnhor of American "rags," 'Tho Goblin Kag-timo Man" and "I AVant u Little Bungalow." A Maori recruiting officer then came on tho scene, and on being informed what his mission was, the old chief tells his grandson and tlie others not; to enlist, but the former .speaks up, and tolls tho chief that, it is tho King who (Mills, and ho must go, whereupon tho girls indulged in a new canoe poi, entitled "Come Where Duty Calls.'" in ivlffiflt they sing and llioy sway rhythmically: Thus together wo will draw The canoe until tho end To the goal that onoujul all desire: Peace and joy for oil. That onds tho argument. Tho chief hands his grandson his own taioha, and Bids hiin go lortii to fight the good tight as his- ancestors did bet'oro him. As a filiate, Miss Olga Nlkuini sang with surprising feeling "Homo, Sweet HoniU" in. .Jiuori. This_ handsome young lady has a most remarkablo voice, remarkable iu range and tonal purity., AVTion ,<be commenced tho old song, Iter .tono was contralto, and tho song was pitched accordingly, but after t"ho first four line*, she jumped an. octave, displaying an exquisite soprano voice, as clear aiul limpid as a bird's, and produced without tho slightest effort. Jier beautiful singing created a i'urorc, and to repeat the song," and agafii sno ignored convention by jumping the octavo in tho iniddlo of tho verse. Another sympathetic singer was More Aniohau, who sang a gentle lovo rong with pleasing modesty.

in the second hajf _tho jpoi dancers gave an electrical display Tli a, military jioi. Til which they wove soiiiierly dresses of khaki, and.drilled with the precision of a regiment. Here, again, tno natural aptitudo of the Maori for narrative in action, was revealed in a. very touching scena, which symbolised liio fighting of the Maoris at tho front, the action being accompanied by a rhythmical croon, in which the solo_ was taken up at tho ond by tho Maori song-bird. The bright "Aviation poi" was also a revelation in this stylo of dancing, Miss Nikitini also sang "Tipperary" as an appeal, and as the result the stags was showered with silver. Miss Eileen Driscoll sang "Waiata Maori" (with a Maori chorus) very sweetly, and tho young men came to tho front with further rag-time and Hawaiian ditties. Miss Maud To Urupu acted as accompanist. Tho entertainment, which will bo repeated this evening, is ono that can bo recommended to all. Tho Maori play, crs and lighters both deserve well of tho public.