Maori Concert

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 9, 20 October 1922, Page 3

Maori Concert

A concert was given recently , in the Miners’ Hall at Huntly under Ihe auspices of the Puke Tapn Mutual Improvement Association which proved to be something of a surprise to those who attended. This association is an auxiliary organization of the Church of .Tesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, or “Mormons,” which has a wellestablished branch among the Maoris of this neighbourhood. As the name implies the purpose of this association is mutual improvement. An endeavour is made to lift its members to a higher standard of living, as well .as to instil into each heart a love for the Gospel of our Master. The concert was made up entirely from the talent of the members of the association. Mr Klo Tarawhiti, who is well-known hereabout, is their president, and under his able direction the various numbers were rendered smoothly and well. The curtain rose on the entire company who opened with a lively song. As an encore they sang a Maori song. Then followed solos, duets, recitations, and dances of various kinds. The dancing was especially good and displayed splendid native talent. The first of them was a Hawaiian hula dance by Miss Sarah Handel!. She was enthusiastically received by the house. Six of the Maori girls got their heads together and worked out a novelty dance by way 'of diversion. Their dainty costumes of pink and white made a pleasing picture as they gracefully swayed to the lively music. Liftle Mary Awa danced a Hawaiian dance with surprising skill to the delight of the spectators. Later the girls appeared ■ in their pretty native costumes and sang the good old Maori love song, “E pari ra,” after which they gave ,an exhibition of the poi dance. The poi is always a welcome item on any programme, involving as it does, grace, gkill, rhythm, and beauty. They did full justice to this dance and were vigorously applauded. Interspersed between these dances were solos and duets of a high order which rounded out the programme to a well-balanced whole. Mr Tarawhiti and the girls wound up the evening with a red-hot haka.