NEW PLYMOUTH CARNIVAL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10244, 30 December 1904, Page 1

NEW PLYMOUTH CARNIVAL.

(Per Prese Association.) NEW PLYMOUTH, last night. The . exhibition and carnival continues to be a great dlraw, to-day showing the best returns so far. The Wildings have been thronged! all day, and m addition the large enclosure was thronged with sight-seers during ttye progress of a, programme provided' "by the Maoris. This consisted of a rather unique succession of items. The first haka given was the same as that given m the olden days either before goinjj to battle or after victory. Then the women chanted songs ■descriptive of flags flying on the grounds, which, were designed by tlie late chief Katrai to illustrate the ieadiing events m the history of Turanaki m the middle of last century. Thii was followed by poi dances and songs emblematic of peace, including one specially composed for the occasion, expressing gratitude to the carnival authorities for giving the Maoris an opportunity to join m with the celebration. The whole went off wiith great eclat, afldl visitors who were present at -the great demonstration at Rotorua during the visit o fthe Duke and Duchessi of York say that this, though on a smaller scale, was carried out with quite as much effect as the Maori d«ncing on tlnat occasion. The Rev. P. Bennett, Maori missionary, greatly added to the public appreciation of the proceedings by giving a short interpretation of each succeeding item. The evolutions will probably be repeated) before the carnival closes. As an instance of the popualrity among outside visitors a suggestion has. been madle "by Wanganui people for a special excursion train next week, and efforts are now being made to secure such from The exhibition was again largely attended to-night.