THE PRINCE OF WALES

Evening Star, Issue 17329, 17 April 1920, Page 8

THE PRINCE OF WALES

A WEIRD ENTERTAINMENT. Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. Australian and N.Z. Gabje Association. HONOLULU, April 15. Tho Prime attended a Masonic function, which, was followed by a grand ball given by the Governor of Hawaii. However, a far more picturesque entertainment was given itjjter the ball, when the Prince and his stall, with some invited guests, departed in motor cars to participate ip a mysterious festivity in the country.

Tho long line of motor cars sped away at midnight to Pearl Harbor Peninsula, which is 40 minutes' run from Honolulu. Few of tiie guests lad any idea of the : nature of the -entertainment to be provided. On reaching an open space the guests were ushered between lines of . white-robed Hawaiian.worren wearing caps of scarlet and yellow through a gate into the grounds of a handsome private residence belonging to 'Mr and Mrs Robert Atkinson, who received tbem with Princess Kawtiianakoa, the organiser of the festival The Prince was greeted with a chant of welcome, and was escorted to tho house where the host and hostess held a brief reception. A move was then made to the gardens, where under a mighty tree a Hawaiian feast had keen prepared on tables raised -one foot- from the ground. The guests were- invited to iiiepect the earth oven where a pig was baking wrapped in large ii-leavcs. There were calabashes loaded with strange delicacies, including octopus poi, unknown vegetables, a mountain of apples, ju kui nuts, dried fish, pungent pepper, salads, and sweets. Tho banyan tree was surrounded by a grove of cocoanut palms, and was hung with electric lights, giving a soft radiant illumination. About 100 European ai d American guests were present, including ladies in evening dress, who seated thom-sc-ives cross-legc-ed on straw mats placed on the ground. A few chairs v.ero providcjl for the Prince, tho host and hostess, tho Hawaiian Princess, and others. Flower wreaths wore presented to every guest, and were suspended round tho necks. The Eliolo scene when the guests sat down was extraordinarily romantic, especially when a Hawaiian corps do ballet made its appearance in a natural alcove under the coconut trees and began a continuous performance of rhythmical hip-swaying dances to the accompaniment ot gcurCS'-beatcn on the ground and interminable barbaric chants. THE FEAST DESCRIBED. HONOLULU, April 15. (Received April 16, at 9.55 a.m.) This feast is reserved exclusively for Royalty. It contained a feature which had not been represented since the Duke of Edinburgh visited Honolulu in 1858. Behind tho Prince, who sat garlanded with flowers between a Hawaiian Princess and the hostess (Mrs Atkinson), two tall Hawaiians stood holding sacred tapu sticks long, pointed reds ornamented with globes. These tapu sticks still profoundly influence the natives’ imagination, and emphasise to tho mind the sacrednoss of kingship. They are never produced except for Rovalty. The ship’s officers, wearing white mess jackets with gold laoe and war decorations, were similarly garlanded, as were the ladies, who were present in equal number. Several representatives of aristocratic Hawaiian families also participated in the feast, amid the fragrant odors exhaled from the varied flowers. Gleaming jewels were worn by the f a shiouably-dresa ed 1 adies. The guests -ate Hawaiian delicacies in Hawaiian fashion, while strange drinks of unknown composition wore served in small glasses. If Hawaii wore not- so uncompromisingly dry. in common with tho rest of the United States territory', one might have suspected these alluring, palatable drinks to bo American cocktails in the guise of beverages compounded by ancient Hawaiian art.

Many of tho guests, who resided at Hawaii, used their fingers for eating. Tho strangers were accommodated with forks. During tho progress of the feast the Prince exhibited close interest in the programme presented by native girls, and listened to the plaintive Hawaiian chants and lovo songs. An American lady versed in Hawaiian lore, kindly interpreted the meaning of many songs and explained them. They were (largely historical ballads, like Sir Waller Scott’s, celebrating the warlike acliievements of Hawaiian heroes, and giving their genealogies and tho of their ancestors and descendants. Other ballads referred to the Prince of Wales, and recounted the ancient, ties of friendship between Hawaii and Bereta-nia, which is the Hawaiian name for Britain. Others again woie purely lovo songs. Tho principal singing girl, who accompanied herself on the ukalele, possessed n voice of much sweetness and charm, and quite captivated tho audience. I Tho dramatic scenes and stories wero rather monotonous, but- - the dancing was extraordinarily vigorous. Ap old man furnished the comic relief, singing and dancing with a chorus of girls. "The performance was quite unintelligible to outsiders, hut was erected with uproarious laughrer , inuß applause. With the plaintive lore songs of the Hawaiian prime, donna, wao sang under her native cocoanui-s rinving in their ears, the Renown left- for liji at daybreak on Wednesday. CLARET CUP OBJECTORS. The Mayor of Wanganui (Air M’Kay) ! wl ''os us : —•' In connection with tho claret cup controversy, exception is taken bv the Ladies’ Committee to the Press Association s description of the function as j‘A juvenile gathering.’ The guests in- | cutde : lirstly, the single voung people i of the town over the age of 18 years: | secondly, all returned soldier.?, their”wives and mothers : thirdly. South African vc-te-i rans and their wives; fourthly, Maori j war veterans and their wives. To defwnbo such a- function as a juvenile , gathering seems lacking in precision.”