MOTUEKA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 28 March 1923, Page 9

MOTUEKA

srrcEssFCL Maori entertainment \ (From Our Own Correspondent). The residents of Motucka had the pleasure of witnessing ;t r-ingularlv unusual Maori entertainment on Monday evening in the Institute Hall. Despite the unsettled state of the weather the attendance was exceptionally good. The first half of the programme featured a Maori betrothal and marriage ceremony, with all the native rites and quaint customs. The stage was effectively arranged to represent a pah scene and the ceremony was embraced in ten short acts. In the first act —the "betrothal of Manuhiri’s daughter—the inhabitants were lined out in front of the meetinghouse; the women greeted Manuhiri (the visiting chief) and a Haka followed. Manuhiri slowly advanced to meet the home people, whose chief, in turn, gave him and his party greeting. To this Manuhiri responded, and while the whole pah stood up lie took his daughter’s hand. The 'leader <yf the honie party started into waiata (song), assisted by others, while Chief Manuhiri advanced with the bride (his daughter) to the bridegroom and his father. The daughter was firstly presented to the Home Chief, with whom she rubbed noses, and was then passed on to his son (the bridegroom). The bride and bridegroom rubbed noses and together with their respective parents sat in front of the whare to receive gifts of reals etc. The haka lender then called for girls to arrange for poi “Hoea ra.” After the poi was performed the ceremonv was concluded and the visiting and home parties intermingled. The' second half of the programme ‘consisted of musical items, etc. A duet “Life’s Dream is O'er’ was sung by Miss A right and Mr H. Park. The orchestra contributed a. jasia selection, while the Fairfield Kids (Mr llankin and Miss iPhilpots) gave “You shan’t play in my 1 rick yard.” A pretty poi exhibition was given by the Misses Demi, followed by a song from the Rev. Ives. Miss Thelma Durbridge sang “The Rosary.” and Miss M. Wright “Waiata Pci.” The vocal items concluded with a song “Do not turn away, Dear,” hv Miss Clark. Mr Benny Morgan showed considerable skill as a chair acrobat, and sleight of hand exponent. An orchesrta ct eight:—Messrs Tree, McDonald, Thompson, Muller, Wickehs, Holland, Morgan and Mrs Ovens completed an enjoyable programme. The entertainment was organised by Messrs D. Park. H Park. B. Morgan and T. Morgan, the object hefiii'g to raise funds for the Maori Church. The gross proceeds of the evening amounted to £27. After providing for the expenses of the entertainment, the balance goes towards paying off the cost of electric light installation in the church, and the purchase of livmn books.