INTERESTING ENTERTAINMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3832, 16 August 1928, Page 2

INTERESTING ENTERTAINMENT.

BY MAORI MISSIONARY PARTY. The party of representative Maoris accompanying the General Superintendent of the Methodist Home and Maori Missions on his annual organising tour, gave a very fine programme at the local Home Mission Festival in the Masonic Hall last night. The visitors were given a welcome in accordance with Maori custom by Messrs J. Chrystall and L. Bullard, and some other members of the audience and the Mission Party leaders responded in speech, waiatas and a liaka. The meeting was then formerly opened, and a programme of songs, instrumental music and speeches was provided, which captured the interest and imagination of everyone present, The vocalists were all so peculiarly effective in there interpretation of typical Maori songs and hymns that it would be difficult to single out any for special mention, but Paikea Toka, W'anairangi P_oihi, Perehama Te Mahau and Tari Kura Ihaka with the wee girl, Hinerangi, revealed exceptional vocal talent and delighted the audience. Three distinctly different types of poi dances were artistically given by the young ladies and ancient Maori games, including the Ti-Ti-To-Rea-To, were enthusiastically played on the platform by the party and were, even more enthusiastically received by the audience. Steel guitar and violin solos were given by Paikea Henar Toka, a typical Maori fireside dance was given by Perehama and a humorous song by Nelson. •* Altogether the programme was full of fascination, variety, entertainment and education. Encores were frequently demanded. The General Superintendent, Rev. A. J. Searner, gave some interesting and instructive facts concerning the past and present of the Maori race and of the historic Methodist Maori Mission, the 106th anniversary of which the local festival was commemorating.