NATIVES FOR THE SYDNEY EXHIBITION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 883, 6 September 1879, Page 2

NATIVES FOR THE SYDNEY EXHIBITION.

The project of organising a party of Maoris, principally from the Ngatiporou Tribe, to proceed to Sydney during the forthcoming Exhibition, has been completely successful. The Natives selected, consisting of several men of good physique, and two or three' women, are typical of the race, and we have no doubt that our Australian cousins will, be favorably impressed with those that have been chosen. The promoters of the scheme are desirous not only to make it a thorough success from a business point of view, but are anxious also that the Maoris themselves who, as a people, are remarkable for their shrewdness and intelligence, may, on their return from the sight seeings m the various centres of population there, bring back a stock of valuable and useful information, which will be serviceable to them and beneficial to their countrymen. The schooner Telegraph, chartered for the purpose of conveying them, is being fitted up with comfortable berths, and undergoing a complete overhaul preparatory to the voyage at an early date. Under the management we have no doubt that their wants will receive the greatest attention. On arrival m Sydney 1 they will exhibit m ordinary Maori costume, and perform their celebrated hdkas (war dances) and bring into display the prominent characteristics of their race, which be it said are surely and completely being obliterated by the general advance and progress of civilization m " their own New Zealand home." Those who have never witnessed Maoris m their primitive state, will here have an opportunity of doing so, and receive a very correct knowledge of. this brave noble and intelligent race. Mr. J. R. Scott, as advance agent of this novel undertaking, proceeds direot to Sydney per Ringarooma to-morrow to make all the necessary arrangements m connection therewith, and under his ;able direction, we have no doubt the '; venture will even-i tuate successfully.