TA BIG AUDIENCE.

Franklin Times, Volume XX, Issue 141, 14 November 1930, Page 5

TA BIG AUDIENCE.

GREETS WIAORS CONCERT PARTY.

.maori mission, funds augmented

The Home Mission Department or -the. Methodist Church of New Zealand whose work among the Maori -women and children in Auckland, Waikato, Kaipara and Bay of Islands districts, is expanding annually, received "encouraging- support at the. Strand •Theatre last evening, when "one of the largest audiences ever packed into the theatre greeted the Maori concert party -which is" touring the country in an ef- ' fort to raise' money for a continuance ■of the work. In the • unavoidable absence of the Rev. A. J. Seamer, general superintendent of Methodist Church Home and Maori missions, Sister Nicholls' 'presided. Sister Nicholls apologised for Mr Seamer's absence, also for the non- ' appearance of Miss Airini Karenara, X.A.8., from Chatham Islands, who was compelled to take a short rest. The Rev. H. L. Fiehig welcomed the party which comprised representatives of the native tribes in North Auckland, Waikato. King Country, Taranaki, Manawatu, Canterbury and Otago, on behalf of the district, and expressed the hope that their stay in Pukekohe ■Avould be a pleasant one. Mr Fiebig AJouched upon the noble work being done in teaching the Maori race something about Christianity, a 'work which t the party was endeavouring to foster ! arid further by raising funds by means of concerts in different parts.

Chief's Reply to Welcome

Chief Te Heringa Maleono, of the Waikato, replied in ids native language, Sister Nicholls translating the address. The Chief referred to the noble Christian work among members of .his race -and. remarked that the Maoris had learned to treasure the Gospel and the teachings of Lord JOsus Christ. "You .see before you," he said, "the fruits of Christianity. So many representatives of various tribes are here in one party, brought together as a result of those teachings. "Without such

-teachings no doubt the various tribes of our race would have been fighting one another. When you British people brought to us Christianity ybu brought to us. one of the greatest of :your treasures." Chief Te Heringa spoke of the good things the British delivered with the right hand and the evil things delivered by the left hand so to speak. Those from'the left hand contained as it were a thousand devils. "What have you to offer us as a remedy to combat the evils among our people? The HobBook contains the answer and the reason of our travelling as we are is that

you might help to carry the life giving water, so essential to the Maori peo--•''ple. On behalf of my people I ap- . pelTt to you to help, help that will put the young Maori people on the right track," said Te Heringa. Representatives of Pukekohe greeted the party in true Maori fashion, the .ancient custom of greeting visitors by rubbing noses being carried out. The singing of the Doxology by the

company, the recitation of a prayer by Sister Nicholls, and the chanting of the 95th psalm by Die concert party were preliminaries to the. concert pro-

gramme. Sister Nicholls told the audience that this was the 108th anniversary of the Methodist church' work in Hi country. Speaking of the Maori race Sister '-Nicholls said the Maoris were the best and most courageous of the brown skinned races. The programme opened with a typical representation of the arrival of one of the first canoes in New Zealand and the presentation of a real-Maori Tiki, during which the parly rendered "Our Fathers Crossed the Ocean", and lh> lady members gave the "Canoe Poi."

The next item was "Tama Ngakau," Hie ' first Christian hymn translated into Lhe Maori language. The party gave it in the ancient style of their ancestors and then in Hie modern way. Miss liangi Tawhai, a gnnd grand-daughter of the famous North Auckland Chief. Hi' 1 Hon. Moses Tawhai, at one lime a member of lhe Legislative Council. sang delightfully the welt known ami popular number "E pari ra' 1 or the Maori warrior's farewell. As an encore'Miss Rangi rendered one of her favourite hymns. Being the youngest oC her tribe Miss Tawhai is tin- clnl-' Wren's representative in Hie party. The sacred solo "E Malau Mai Tuner was given by the party. "Te Whiti Wnlata" was contributed in pleasing style by Waka Taituha. of Taranaki. and the party followed in concerted numbers. a medley, introducing some of their favourite choruses. Otago's two representatives with lhe party Miss Mori Erihana (vocalist) and Miss Taka Uo'pata (poi actions) contributed Hi" popular song "Waiata Poi." and were rapturously applauded.* ihey ga\e as an encore the "Maori Love Son;.-. The Second Half. After lhe interval lhe parly gave a number of its favourite choruses, instrumental items, stone- age gaiues--the Tititoreato and Male Male. Hie ladies of lhe parly amused Hi- audience with single, double and long string poi dances, each item being encored. Two hymns. "Rock ol' Ages 'Maori translation) and "Taku Watrua" a favourite hymn among the young people, were, delightfully presented, the harmonising being • pleading feature. Wi Perihama* Nlkora sang "Home, Little Maori, "Ms / Baby" and a further encore. Wi was j the oldest member of lhe party and p"•received a. wonderful ovation, his '/oic appealing to the big audience. Tbancient Maori Wm'atfi wa= "'n" '<■.■

lhe party, following which was a.semimodern Maori dance. 'Shad guilar solos, with ukelele and banjo mandolin accompaniments, were given by Te Akonga Pihairia, who demonstrated how .the guitar should be played, fie was loudly applauded for a very line effort. A vocal quartette ended most enjoyable programme. The Benediction was pronounced by Sister Nicholls and the function terminal ed by lhe singing of ihe \ T ;d:..uiai A nth em. The party appears at Tilakaii ' ■ night. Bombay to-morrow night and will tssisf. ai, lhe Melhodis! i-bnr<"-' -••••■ < \ff - nri Sunday.