OUR MAORI VISITORS.

Colonist, Volume XLI, Issue 9209, 28 June 1898, Page 2

OUR MAORI VISITORS.

ENTERTAINMENT AT BRIGHTWATER

The Te Aute College students drove Hp to Brightwater yesterday in a coach and four, where they were entertained at the Vicarage by the Rev W. G. Baker and friends. The entertainment took place in the Rechabite Hall at 7.30, which was crowded, notwithstanding a heavy shower of rain just previously. The programme was exceptionally interesting, there being so many original and uncommon items. After a violin solo had beea given by Mr Light, the Rev W. G. Baker in a happy speech wel« corned the visitors. The students opened their part of the proceedings by giving a war cry, which at once infused life and enthusiasm into the assemblage. The Te Aute College Football Song followed, in which English and Maori phrases were blended, and each verse referred to conspicuous members of the football team. A Maori hymn was next sung to a smooth, flowing, and soft Maori tune. Mr Light followed with selections on the mondoline. Two of the students gave a duet in Melanesian, the whole team taking up the chorus. The Bey J. P. Kempthorne gave a solo,

which received an encore. The students after giv ng a Earatonga chorus, gave a stirring l battle cry, accompanied with action, and, which had to be repeated. After they sang .the English ehorvis, " Sweet and Low," Jibe contrast being jcemarkp.ble, froni wild savage-looking Natives, as seen iii the previous item, they changed to meek and harmless individuals. Mr Thornton, the headmaster of Te Aute College, gave a readI ing, which was well received. The Rev F. Bennett gave a solo, which was well re- i ceived ; he also acted as director and interpreter: . Other items; eqnaljl tarlpd and iiit»restingj followed, eacfc other in quick succession. The entertainment concluded with the students giving a battle cry, and they left the stage in Maori hake style, crying " Good-bye ! Etc iwi ! Good bye." The performers were well received, the audience repeatedly giving them rounds of applause.