"TWIRLING POIS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 143, 18 June 1937, Page 9

"TWIRLING POIS"

NATIVE DEPARTMENT DANCE

Handsome swinging cloaks and traditional piu plus were worn by a number of pretty Maori girls who gave several Native songs and dances at the annual ball given by the Native Department iri the Pharmacy Hall last night. ' . '..'■'■ Feathery toi toi.. and, lycppodium made delicate traceries against the cream walls, and looped chains of red, white, and blue made a vivid contrast to the pastel shades of tli is unusual background. Heraldic symbols and bunting were used'and lent a festive air to the room.. Red, white, and blue streamers were" criss-crossed over the ceiling, and •-' gay coloured Walloons which were hung in large clusters were afterwards-released, to float tantalisingly over the heads of the dancers. A tireless Maori orchestra played ? very rhythmic "swing" numbers, and ! kept the crowd amused with- its .vigorous hakas and songs. ."-:■■. . A home-made supper was served in a room' which was, ,gay with.'yellow ' and gold .i crinkled - streamers, and . where

red and bronze spider chrysanthemums in green' vases were arranged on the long'tables..-: J ■

Lady J Pomare and lhe. Chief Native Judge, Mr. R.yN..Jones, were among those present. ' ■. y- "' .'..-'■..

The committee comprised.Misses T. Macdonriell, L. Bofl'a, Fawke'ner,' M. Coopey; J. M. Wilson, and Messrs. Gentry. Js' Heketa, J. B. McEwen, T. Bingley, D..J.. Finnigan (secretary), arid Kingi Tahiwi, sen. (who proved a very, capable master of ceremonies). ■ They were congratulated on a very ; enjoyable and: undoubtedly successful dance.

Songs were given by Mrs. A. Staples, an exhibition of ballroom -dancing by. Miss. Cha?fmers: and Mr. /Davenport, of the Margaret O'Connor' School of Dancing,, and the poi, dances were given by Miriama Heketa,': Ri ria Walker, Mary Black/Katie Hakaraia, and. B. Wallace. .Miss:.Miriama .Heketa. also gave.an exhibition of tap-dancing.

Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. 0.. N; Campbell, Mrs;- Pearce; Miss Higgie, Mr. and Mrs.; A. Henshilwood, Mr.Jand.JMrs. Saiilbrey, Mr. and Mrs. N. Smith,? Mr. and Mrs. Staples, Mr. and Mrs. Morrison' Mr.,,and Mrs. Elliott,'? Mr.-J.and-; Mrs.; Hoffman, -Mr. J and Mrs. -McGregor, Mr;" and;: Mts. Kay, Mr. and Mrs. H. Tahiwi, Mr., and Mrs. M./ Lpve,J?Mr. and Mrs. .T; Love, Mr. _.nd "-, Mrs.' Hfolst,. Mr?, and' Mrs. Wolfe, Mr. arid Mrs. G. Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Chisholm, Mr. and.-.Mrs. H. Ruru,: Mr. Jarid Mrs. W. B. Ginddrs,' Mr. and "Mrs. W. Stephenson,-Mr.: and Mrs: K. Maunders, Mr. arid Mrs. Randle,' Misses G. Guerin, M. Fairburn, M.' O'Brien, C. Sharpe, G. Reeves, Maunder. M. Black, Thomas,- R. Walker, J. Elliott, E. Jack?son, Puna , Cooper,-G. : Lang, Ria, J. Riley.i C. Bond. E. Cooper, ?'Kettlewell, B. Staples, JMonica Hays, Tills,- G: Stockley Jones, M. Corbett,. J. West, Chalmers, M: Ford, L. TakarangU McKenna, E. Boucher, K. Craycroft, Nunu Roera, R. Walker,; B. McGregor, L. Metekingi.-N. Churchward, N. McGee, H. Beattie,' H. Walsh, J. Holmwood, M. Corbett,,D. Home,,N.,Stit, J. and V. Fairhall, M. Love, R. Anderson,. L. Meech, N. Gillighan, G.- Meech, Messrs. A. Collins, H. Sansum, Butcher, K. Tahiwi, B. Little,- K. Waterhbuse, K. W. Kilpatrick,? Randle, Golding, C. Stace; J. Fraser, I. Snooks, J. Till. F. Reeves, J., Ray, P. Porter, M. Eagles, K. Blatherwick, F; Blatherwick, W. Langdon, S. .Tahiwi, N-. ; Weaver. F. Weaver, J. Foster, 31 Wallace, M. Nich-olls,-J. Mansfield,- J.:Davies, J. Meech,] G. Hey. ' ':' ' "■ ' '