WAIATA MAORI CHOIR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23499, 13 May 1938, Page 7

WAIATA MAORI CHOIR

return from tour abroad SUCCESSFUL VENTURE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 12. After a 14 months’ tour of the Australian States and the British Isles, during which they were presented to and sang before the King and Queen, the Waiata Maori Choir returned to Auckland this morning from London by the Rotorua. The members spoke with enthusiasm of the success of the venture the first they had undertaken, but all spoke of their unfeigned .toy at seeing again their native land The King expressed the wish that the choir should take back to New Zealand his love for his people, both pakeha and Maori. Similar sentiments were expressed by Lord Bledisloe and the High Commissioner (Mr W J. Jordan). The choir left New Zealand in March. 1937, travelled from Australia, via Suez, and spent seven months in Britain.

Welcoming the choir, the Mayor (Sir Ernest Davis) at a civic reception in the Town Hall this afternoon, said that the successful tour had provided wonderful publicity for New Zealand. The Rev. A. J. Seamer, who accompanied the choir, said that New Zealand was now more widely known and honoured than ever. Widespread interest had been shown in Maori music.

The Rev. Te Uira Tuteao, manager of the choir, and two others wore Maori costume, and the choir sang two melodies.