THE JUBILEE

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 305, 24 November 1937, Page 2

THE JUBILEE

BIG DAY TO-MORROW. The piece (lo resistance of the Diamond Jubileo celebrations is the big . Alaori cavalcade that will bo presented to-mor-row at the Showgrounds. In the oval, made to look like a Maori pa replete with old-time palisades, river bank, wlinrcs and wharepum, the Maoris of the Manawalu will present a cavalcade of the Maori, showing tho life of the natives from the arrival of tho first migratory canoe 900 years ago, right down to the present day. Every phase of Maori life will be delineated, including tho arrival of the first mihinari (missionary). Rev. Samuel Maralen; the Treaty of Waitangi; a meek battle with tiahas, hakas to the number of eight and six poi dances each with its fascinating musical accompaniment and performed in a manner never before seen in the Manawalu. The hakas, too, will stir everybody, says Mr Bennett, the organiser, who has attended some of the rehearsals and whose knowledge of. what 13 good entertainment cannot bo gainsaid. His long experience in the theatrical business gives Him the knowledge, of what the public like and ■ he, as organiser, is most Oiithusiastic about tho performances of flic Maori warriors in their hakas and the maidens in their pois. To-morrow at .2 o’clock and at 8 p.m. tho Maoris will perform a 2j-hour programme and the attendances should be in keeping with the importance of the occasion and the 140 performers in tho cast. FIREWORKS AND TUG-OF-WAR. On Friday, tho Old Identities’ Day, there will be at least 700 early settlers present to be feted during the day, and in tho evening there is to be a masquerade and lantern parade that Ihe young folks should take advantage of to _make merry. Following the parade to the Showgrounds, a programme of tug-of-war for about one and a half hours will he held, and then a huge fireworks display, with giant rockets and large shells bursting in the air, big set pieces that will thrill spectators by their sheer beauty, revolving wheels, shimmering cascades of golden fire and some new pyrotechnic that have never been fired previously in the Do minion. To finish the celebrations for file Diamond Jubileo Committee a dance lias been arranged in the big entertainment Hall at the Showgrounds, where the revellers can make merry to the lilting tunes of an up-to-date orchestra. The next days of the celebrations will be the liveliest and best part of a most, successful week, apd all that is needed is for the settled weather to continue lytil the field days are over and the 1957 celebrations will rank as the best- ever seen in the Manawatu.