SAVAGES AT HOME

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 8, 10 July 1926, Page 5

SAVAGES AT HOME

A FINE ENTERTAINMENT.

There was a large attendance of Savages and '■'wahines" at the Town Hall last night, when that popular fixture, the annual Ladies' Evening of the Savage Club, took place. The hall was bright and cheery with the floral and other decorations of the Race Club ball, and the supper was set under the gallery, screened off by rosecoloured curtains, and in the Concert Chamber. The stage was capitally set, and the beginning of the programme was a selection from the "Gondoliers" by the orchestra. Their Excellencies the Gov-ernor-General and Lady Alice Fergusson and party were present, iind were received by the chairman of the year, Savage E. Blundell, with Mrs. Blundell, and Savage and airs. J. Hislop. Lady Alice was in black, with a handsome wrap coat with a wide collar of cyclamen pink edged with jet. Mrs. Bliindell'was in pale pink silk marocain, with ruchings of a darker shade and a beautiful black embroidered •shawl wrap. Mrs. Hislop was in black with a black and crimson cloak. The .installation of His Excellency as Ariki Nui, or "Chief of Chiefs," was, of coufse, an important part of the programme, and was performed by Savage E. JBluiidell with the proper ceremonial, and a brief speech, in which he expressed the pleasure which all the Savages felt in having His Excellency as their chief, and mentioned that they were much favoured in having had a great sea warrior as the last chief, to be followed by a great land warrior. He explained the privileges and duties of the position humorously,- and concluded with a special note of welcome to Her Excellency, who, with the other wahines, had honoured the gathering arranged for them with so much pleasure. His Excellency, a little later in the evening, accepted the duties and privileges named with, pleasure, and in a cheerful and humorous speech touched on what he presumed were the duties of a Chief Savage, mentioning that when he was in the Islands he was continually being told that he was "'Lord" of this and that, including the sun, but when it came to practical experience of "ruling the waves" he found that his authority was not all that might have been hoped. Then, weighing the mere of office in his hand, His Excellency said that he was sure the use of it might be most effective in keeping order in the meetings of Savages, but he had in mind a story of a Scotch special constable, who, when he was given a baton, said that :n Scotland they had a much better way of dispersing a crowd than attacking the people with batons; "they just passed round the hat." Thus he concluded on a note of laughter a very happy speech. Those who arranged ■ the programme are to be congratulated on an original notion very well carried out. The picture presented when a solitary figure in Egyptian costume appeared out of the darkness into brilliant light was capitally done, and the full tableau of the Egyptians waiting outside the Pyramid was excellent in conception and exvjutioii. The entry of "Koyal Egypt" from the lower end of the hall was also capitally done, Cleopatra, "The First of the Vamps" (Allan Fuller) in true Egyptian mode, was followed by a retinue of "maids" realistically arrayed in white clinging robes with clay-blue swathed bands, brassieres of gold, and Mercury helmets of blue, white, and gold. They carried an offering from "Zane to Cleopatra" in the form of a mighty swordfish on a suitable platter. The eunuchs who preceded the procession were most imposing also. Then followed dance and song—much interrupted by the unwelcome presence of a ghost, and the comedy ended amid shrieks of merriment when the three lovers of Eoyal Egypt, after having died picturesquely, come to life when she takes unto herself the most persistent lover of all. Those who adapted the music to the words are to be congratulated on excellent work, for it was never at any time "cheap stuff," but of good quality, and the orchestral music and accompaniments were a great part of the pleasure of the entertainment. Savages Frank Thomas and Harison Cook were largely responsible, and members of an excellent team included Savages X Luke. W. Marshall, B. AVilson, ]{. Kvatt, W. Jervis. E. Gooder. A. Newtnn. R. Olsen, L. Barnes, W. Prinitle, S. Nelson, Erin Johnston, V. Oswin, Barton Ginger, and Dr. Isaacs. A word of praise must be given to the programme, which was i-Hpitally. designed and executed. After the supper interval the hall was cleared tor dancing, Their Excellencies and party remaining for some time, and a thoroughly enjoyable evening came to an end. < ~ Among the lar^e audience were the Government House party, and Sir Frederic and Lady Chapman, Commander and Mrs oonnnqrville. Captain and Mrs. Butcher, hir Walter and Lady Carncross, MajorGeneral and Mrs. Young, Mr. and Mrs Norwood, Mr. and Mrs. Mason, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Smythe, Mrs. A. Newton and the Misses Newton, Mr. Levi, Mr. G. Mitchell, the Misses Isaacs, Mr. and Mrs. C. Treadwell, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Dyer, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Carr, Mrs. Guthrie Mr. and Mrs. D. J. M'Gowan, Mr. and Mrs. Bock, and many more.