PAGEANT OF HISTORY

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 38, 8 November 1933, Page 7

PAGEANT OF HISTORY

Carnival Week Feature The big feature of the National Coniidence Carnival, which eventuates from November 18 to 25, will undoubtedly be the pageants, showing the history of the Dominion in detrades from 1800 to the present day. -I’lie word pageant, however, hardly describes the events properly; “moving tableaux” would perhaps be more appropriate. These historical episodes have been chosen with great care by a committee of the leading historians of New Zealand—Messrs. T. Lindsay Buick, James Cowan, Johannes Andersen, and Dr. Guy Scholefield, all well-known writers on New Zealand development. Apart from the purely legendary episodes. such as "Tonga and Puhi Huia at the Well,” a charming Maori love story, .there will be shown Marsden’s first night in New Zealand. In this sketch the characters will all be portrayed by leading amateurs and Maoris. Appropriate scenery and settings arc being arranged. Another episode will be the arrival of Wakefield and the Tory at, I’etone beach, bringing the first AVellingtoa pioneers, who are greeted by Maoris waving branches and singing songs. Governor Grey will be shown at a itcacefu) Maori gathering, telling the Maoris that the wars are over, and all is now peace. In this episode the Maoris will be seen in their native poi and canoe poi dances, hakas, etc, No pageant of New Zealand history would be complete without the Treaty of Waitangi being in the forefront, and this episode will be the big item of the series. All the details of the signing of this famous document will be depicted, and characters, such as Governor Hobson, Captain Nias, Rev. Williams, Lieut. Shortland, Mr. J. Busby, and a host of Maoris are in the scene, which has been very beautifully dramatised in accordance with tradition and shown in very beautiful, sur- , roundings. The gay ’nineties have not been forgotten, and a bevy of ladies and gentlemen will demonstrate in appropriate costume tins era of the Dominion’s progress. There will also be shown the arrival of the women folk in their oldtime dresses. There will be a great number of artists engaged in these episodes, including Maoris in full native costume, and a choir of 50 voices. Maori war dances and hakas will also be special features. The programme of the pageant will conclude with a short scena, “The Maori of To-day.” This will give the Maoris an opportunity of showing the great benefit education and colonisation have conferred upon them. A novel feature will be the screening of over 40 beautifully-coloured still ; pictures, entitled “Now and Then.” ' which will show the development of New Zealand from the foundation of , the colony to the present day. the ■ earliest and latest engine, steamer, j school house, etc., and the improve- ’ meat in farming and industry. f