IN SOUTH SEAS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 34, 10 February 1927, Page 11

IN SOUTH SEAS

DUKE AND DUCHESS

ASHORE AT NUKUHIVA

DAFGES BY TORCHLIGHT

(United Press Association.—Copyright) (Received 10th February, 1 p.m.)

MELBOURNE, This Day.

A wireless message from the Renown states. during the afternoon at Nukuhiva, Marquesas' Islands, a large party of natives, including sdme wh came for nearly a hundred miles from other islands, were shown over the ship and entertained at tea in tho crew's quarters. Later, at the suggestion of the Duke of York the Marines Hand played on the village green, and a few native dances were given for tho benefit of the liberty men.

In the evening the Duke and Duchess entertained the Administrator at dinner sSib^oard the Renown. Afterwards they went ashore-to witness a' programme of native dances, at which, after several dances the performers chanted a song they had recently composed in honour of Their Highnesses, singing their praises. The thanks of the Royal pair were conveyed to the dancers and the populace by medium of an interpreter. The native dances proved an attractive exhibition set in bizarre manner on a lawn under flaring naptha torches, with the whole village grouped round and seated on the grass.

The dances were mostly hip movements and foot shuffling by the women. The men were freer and more vigorous, with some suggestions of the haka, but much tamer. As usual, the dances were symbolic of love, worship, and food, with evidently comic interludes, while one dance was-stopped hurriedly, as it was developing into old-t.yne freedom of movement. The dancers also chanted songs, one of which was reminiscent of the poi daneo of the Maoris.