CONCERT AT OTAKI.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 6 January 1930, Page 8

CONCERT AT OTAKI.

AN ARTISTIC SUCCESS. The bill'of fare announced for the Maori concert on Monday night was responsible for a packed house and justly so for if such a line programme failed to appeal then the promoters would have been compelled to ask themselves why the public taste in music and elocutionary art hud changed. However, the programme was right, the artists wort; in excellent form and the public was in the mood to enjoy the show and in the end everyone was more than satisfied. The opening scone —“A Maori Welcome” —showed a Maori whare set among ferns. Mr. “Tim” Rehua received and welcomed the visitors on the stage, while Rev. Temuera led for the visitors, who arrived through tho centre of the theatre. This scene was very well carried out, the haka being repeated in response to an encore. Miss Olga Lczard played “Valsc Arabesque” very nicely, and had to respond with “Tango” as an encore. Miss Joan Lowry made a welcome re-ap-pearance in Otaki and had to respond to an encore on both occasions she appeared. Her numbers were “Lete” and “Love's a Merchant,” and her recall numbers “Youth and Spring,” and “When Love is Kind.” Mrs. Lowry played her accompaniments in a sympathetic manner. Waka Poi or what is more familiarly known as the Canoe Poi met with a rousing reception and had to be repeated. Mrs. Roiri led this poi. Mr. Ken Aitken is always a popular humourist and although he has appeared in Otaki on many occassions it is a foregone conclusion that it is necessary for him to have one or more recall numbers ready. His contribution to Monday's programme was four numbers. “Nell,” “Toasts,” “I Don't Want My Cigar To Go Out” and “I Will Love Y'ou When Your Money lias Gone.” Miss Weno Tahiwi sang 1 Par tea”' with sympathetic understanding and a colourful background was provided with the piano and 'cello accompaniment provided by Mrs. Roiri and Mr. P. Tahiwi. She responded With “Heaps of Lickin's.” Mr. James Rikihana is perhaps tho foremost native violinist in New Zealand and his rendering of “Hejre Kati” was a rare treat. He responded with “Zardus” wilich was equally wall received. Miss Pat Kikihana played the accompaniments. The Tahiwi family could not have judged tho feelings of their audience better and their rendering of Maori melodies was very fine indeed, an encore being demanded, as wms also the case in the double poi led by Mrs. Roiri. Mr. Kingi Tahiwi was pleasing in “Sally Horner” and responded with “Seranata. ” He had able assistance from the accompaniste Miss Weno Tahiwi. Mr. Moss, a popular performer from Wellington, sang “Lotus” and had to respond with “Haere Ra.” A very pleasing instrumental item was provided by a party of Maori men and a popular finale was provided to this number when Misses B. and K. Hakaraia, and Miss Wills danced the Hula. Assistance was also given by Mr. August Bishop. Miss Mills gave a very fine character sketch, “Garden pf-Flowers” and Mrs. Bkipwith ded a party of Maori girls in an action song, “E pari ra, ” The last number on the programme was a haka given with such vim that the audience demanded an encore. Mr Wills, principal of the Native College, took the opportunity, on behalf of the Old Boys’ and Girls' Association, of thanking the public for attending in such large numbers, the artists who had been so liberal with their numbers and everyone else who had helped to make the concert such a success. BROADCASTING THE CONCERT. Mr. Clive Drummond, official announcer at 2YA Wellington, was in attendance and explained to a “Mail” representative the working of the broadcast mechanism. He stated there is the central microphone, situated at the front of the stage, at a height of about 3ft. Into this microphone the sound penetrates and runs along a wire leading to, the wings of the stage. Here the sound passes through an amplifier and is amplified many times in volume, this beiug necessary so as to overcome any noise which, may be inducted on the land-line to Wellington. From the studio at Wellington, the sound is transferred to the station on Mt. Victoria and is then put on the air. Mr. Drummond announced each item from the stage for the benefit of the audience who had not seen a concert being broadcast. In the wings the announcer has another microphone. This microphone was used by Mr. Drummond to explain to listeners-in while such items as poi and action dances, etc., were in progress. There were many parts at this end and altogether it was- very interesting to have a look over. Many thanks being due to Mr. Drummond for the interest displayed and the manner in which the concert was broadcast. Many listeners have since forwarded complimentary references to the way in which the concert was received, tho evenings programme being a most enjoyable one and wonderfully free from outside interference.