EMPIRE PAGEANT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19282, 20 September 1924, Page 10

EMPIRE PAGEANT.

POPULAR MAORI EPISODES.

(Feom Otjr Own Coebespondbnt.) LONDON, September 12. Tho Empire Pageant which' is being produced each evening in the Stadium at Wembley grows in popularity, and the number who assemble to see this remarkable performance' gradually increases. Of the three nights there is no doubt that the one on which tho “Southward Ho’’ section' is performed is the most popular. New Zealand is doubtless fortunate in having the picturesque Maori scenes, which were bound to be popular, but they would not have been so attractive had those responsible for them not put their whole energy and enthusiasm into the preparation. An American lady’s remark at another section of the Pageant is worth quoting. Turning to a friend, she remarked : “Have you seen the New Zealand show? You mustn’t miss that. They fair beat the band.” All the warriors—volunteers from all parts of London—were carefully trained, and are consequently taking a keen interest in their parts. The result is that the hakas are done with thrilling realism, and are the only part of the programme to be encored. Success is due to Major R. Dansey, the Messrs Barclay brothers, and Mr "To Kiri, and to Mrs StaplesBrowne, who has trained a large and attractive party of Maori maidens. Major Dansey has received from tho New Zealand Pageant Committee the following letter which speaks for itself; “At a meeting of the New Zealand Pageant a Committee reference was made to the very J excellent work done by you and colleagues in connection with the portion of the dominion episodes. We recognise that but for tbs skill and enthusiasm you have all displayed in the training of the performers the New Zealand Pageant would have been robbed of many of its most attractive features, and we wish to convey to you an expression of our sincere appreciation of the valuable services you have rendered and to thank you for your untiring eiforts to make the Pageant worthy of New Zealand.”