MAORI WAR DANCE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 6 December 1924, Page 12

MAORI WAR DANCE.

SUCCESSFUL LONDON PERFORMANCE. ' LONDON, Oct. 16. Last night a picked team of New Zealanders and others gave their services at a super-cabaret at the NewPrinces’ Hotel, in aid of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. 'The programme consisted of a tableau of the Dominion coat-of-arms, Maori war dances, and a Maori song. No one could have anticipated the flattering reception which was accorded to the 16 performers, and incidentally the Dominion received due publicity. The party had been specially trained by Major R. Dansey and included Messrs. Lawrie, Cook Williams Haywood, Black and Te Kiri, all members of the New Zealand Exhibition Pavilion staff, Mr. Brooke (of the High Commisioner’s staff), and five Londoners. Mrs. Reed, and a London lady, acted the parts of Maori maidens, and Miss Black posed as the female figure in the coat-of-arms. The male figure was taken by Mr. Lawrie, of Rotorua. When the curtain rose on the coat-of arms tableau the Maoris reclining were ranged in a semi-circle about the arms. The warriors wore genuine piu-pius, or dancing mats, and shoulder capes; they were barefooted, and their bodies were stained the appropriate colour. When the curtain rose a second time the coat-of-arms was removed, leaving the warriors grouped for the. singing of “Te Ope Maori.” An unseen band of Russian stringed instruments accompanied the song.

Then the shoulder capes'were discarded, revealing all the warriors stripped to the waist, and several hgkas followwl. It was certainly a' thrilling performance, and was wildly encored. After the encore had been complied with the applause continued, and the whole party came down form the staqe on the dancing floor and repeated the performance.

Tha hospital authorities were highly *■'Sjhted with the effort, and a vaudei ule manager was anxious to arrange a contract with the narty there and Uicn. The main purpose of. the ner-to’-mance. besides benefiting the hoswas further to advertise tDominion, and this was undoubtedly accomplished.