ROTORUA MAORIS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 202, 6 August 1936, Page 4

ROTORUA MAORIS.

Large Audience Enthusiastic In Appreciation. STRATFORD CONCERT. The Rotorua Maori choir was well received by a large audience at the Stralfoul Tou Hall last night, at a concert in aid of the Stratford Citizens’ Band. Singing, poi dancing and hakas were enthusiastically applauded and encored. Solos by the famous Ana Hato were features of the programme. Her renderings of “Waiata Poi,” and of the request number, “Home Sweet Home” sung in Maori were particularly appreciated.

The programme opened with “Powhari,” a welcome to the audience with traditional -Maori ceremony. Maori love ditties were followed by poi dances and a solo “Moe Moe A” by Ana Halo, who sang a Tahitian song as encore. The action song, “Tuhourangi,” a haka, “Waero Poi,” another haka, love ditties and a chorus with action concluded the first half.

“Annie Lauri” and an encore “Kara” opened the second part of the } programme and the other items were j a poi dance, haka, action song, com- ; bination poi (three poi dances in sec, lions’)., quartet (Messrs K. Waaka, G. Taranaki, W. Hohepa, and A. Maiha), glee song .(Maknlikuli), “Waiata Poi,” “Home Sweet Home” (Ana Hato singing lirst in Maori and then in English) and the closing number, “E Pari Ra,” a farewell song. Prior to the performance the members of the choir were introduced to the audience by Mr A E. Pollock,

chairman of the Citizens’ Band Committee. They had only been able to got (he choir at Stratford through the courtesy of the Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr E. R. C. Gilmour, and the Mayor of Stratford, Mr J. W. McMillan, said Mr Pollock. The choir had boon engaged for the New Plymouth jubilee celebrations. Mr Gilmour had offered its services to Stratford, Waitara, Hawera, Eltham, and Inglewood through their respective Mayors, for the purpose of raising funds. Mr McMillan had offered the concert to the Stratford Citizens’ Band. They had had no hesitation in accepting, as they considered the people of Central Taranaki had only too few opportunities of hearing Maori music at its best. Mr George Taranaki, manager of the choir, expressed appreciation of the excellent attendance in spite of the adverse weather. After the concert (he choir were the guests of the hand at supper.