MAORI ENTERTAINERS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 June 1931, Page 8

MAORI ENTERTAINERS

PERFORMANCE AT HAWERA. ! MUSIC DELIGHTS AUDIENCE. Those who had the good fortune to be present at the Grand Theatre, Hawera, last evening were accorded a wonderful musical treat. Those who provided it were the members of the New Zealand Maori Choir and Entertainers, who are making a tour of Taranaki and have recently been heard throughout the Dominion, when they were broadcast from 2YA, Wellington, at the recent radio exhibition. The quality of the entertainment was of high standard and was thoroughly enjoyed by lovers of Maori musical art. Last night’s large audience showed their appreciation by according every item rounds of applause and insistently demanding encores, which were willingly given. Five members of the party toured Taranaki some months ago with the Methodist Mission party, appearing at Hawera. Other members are Mr. H. Tahiwi, who sings for records, Mrs. Werata, L.A.8., formerly Miss Eileen Grennell, Christchurch, Mr. Hemi Rikiliana, brilliant violinist, and Mr. D. Nicholls, formerly of the Pioneer Entertainers. Their appearances in other parts of New Zealand have met with unqualified success. The programme opened with a Maori welcome, “Tenakoe,” led by Mr. Wikara. The welcome included speeches, hakas and chants, and was performed in Maori costume by the whole party. The part-singing and harmonising by the choir, which contributed several items, was a revelation. Their items were the* hymns “Awhi Mai,” “Toku Wairua,” “Tama Ngakau” and “Te Ariki.” The audience was delighted with the wonderful music which Henri Rikihana drew from his violin. He has the reputation of being one of the best Maori violinists in New Zealand. His items were Satasate’s “Gipsy Airs” and “Crazy.” The vocal quartet numbers by Wi Nikora, Dave Nicholls, Mrs. Werata and H. Werata, and the trios by Messrs. Werata and Nicholls and Mrs. Werata were delightful and well rendered. The programme quartet number was a Maori folk song (traditional), while the trio gave “(Mechanical Man.” Vocal solos were contributed by Mrs. Werata, who possesses a beautiful soprano voice. She sang with much feeling “Danny Boy.” The efforts of the male soloists, Messrs Wi Nikona, Nicholls and Tahiwi, were much appreciated. They used their tenor voices to advantage in “Hushaby© Baby,” “Home, Little Maori, Home,” and “Waiata Poi,” their respective numbers.. Miss R. Warahi’s beautiful voice was heard in the well-known “Pokarekare,” and Miss T. Ropata and the company displayed an irresistible rhythm in the action song “E Pari Ra.’’ “Hawaiian Airs” provided Messrs Werata, Nicholls and Toka with an opportunity to entertain with instrumental trios, Mr. Werata’s guitar solos being also popular. Several poi dances ■were cleverly performed by the girls of the party. The second part of the programme opened with an item entitled “The (Maoris at Home,” incorporating several choruses and a performance of ancient fireside games. This was followed by the party in the Canoe Poi, rvhich represented the Maoris’ voyage from Hawaiki to New Zealand, and the concert was concluded with, a rousing ha'ka, “Toia Mai te Waka,” by the party. The accompaniments were played by Mr. and Mrs. Werata and Mr, Hemi Rikihana. 'Mr. Wi Nicora was the producer and Mr. M. R. Jones (Hawera) the announcer. The party will appear at. Okaiawa to-night, at Normanby. tomorrow night, at Kaponga on Friday night, and at Waverley on Saturday night. HAWERA GOLF CLUB. DRAW FOR TO-DAY. The Hawera Golf Club’s competition this week is a four-ball best bill, junior and senior, and the following is the draw for to-day. — - 12.45; Grace and Wiliams play Vinnicombe and Bull. 12.50: Robb and Miller play Harrop and Nyberg. 12.55; Blair and Marychurch play W. G. Strange and Westaway. 1 p.m.; Smith and Zinsli play Sinclair and Hainsworth. 1.5: Ward and Henderson play Batchelor and Wholey. . 1.10; Sagar and Davy play G. F. Strange and Wilgetty junr. 1.15: Hunt and Brown play Simpson and Dingle. 1.20: Mortlock and Fraser play Sutton and Stewart. 1.25: Snowsill and Wallis beat Champion and Tosswill. 1,30: Horsburgh and Shaw play Dalgetty eenr. and Morrissey. Handicap Reductions. The following players have reduced their handicaps: Horner by 2 to 24—• i&; Horeburgh junr. by 2 to 28 —18; C. M. Harrison by 2 to 22 —17; Tosswill by 2 to 26—20; Wallis by 4 to 24 —18; Young by 2 to 20—15; Hammonds by 2 to 26 —20; Zinsli by 4 to 26—20. WAVERLEY GENERAL AND PERSON Mr. Carl Oldershaw returned to Waverley during the week-end after an extended tour of the St. Josef Glacier and the South Island lakes. Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Dickie have returned to Wanganui, after a round of visits in Waverley. The new organ at St. Stephen's Church is fully installed and is proving a delight to all who hear it. The funds to procure it were bequeathed by '.the late Miss lon, Kohl. HAWERA ENTERTAINMENTS. LAST SHOWING OF “THE SPOILERS” All the thrill of the gold rush to the Yukon from the master story writer, Rex Beach, is to be found in the Paramount talking picture, “The Spoilers,” which shows finally at the Opera House, Hawera, to-night. It is a estory of two women, one good, the other bad, in love and fighting for, the love of one man. It 'is flaming romance in a man’s coun-. try; where men tight to wrest buried riches from a frozen land, where despoilers plot and plan, and were strong men fight for power. “What a Widow!” with Gloria Swanson, Lew Cody and Owen Moore, will commence a season at the Opera House with a matinee to-morrow. Reserves are at Miss Blake’s,