MANAIA CARNIVAL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 June 1932, Page 14

MANAIA CARNIVAL

i AN ATTRACTIVE PROCESSION GREAT DISPLAY BY MAORIS. RECORD CROWD IN DOMAIN. In sunny weather the Manaia jubilee carnival opened yesterday. The main attractions were the carnival procession and the Maori display in the domain. The town was crowded with visitors and a record number was present at the domain, which presented a picturesque and animated scene on the arrival of the multitude.' The procession was an excellent feature. The collection of old-time repiesentations was remarkable. The procession was marshalled by Captain A. J. Hastie, the Manaia Band with DrumMajor E. J. Kendall taking the lead. Members of. the town board and school committee followed, then came an old bullock dray carrying a band of ‘’hardup” pioneers.. Old hunters with men and women riders made a good representation of the hunting days. Buggies, gigs, waggonettes and carriages and pairs carried many men and women dressed in the styles of 50 years ago. Top-hatted men, old “mum and dad” in an ancient spring cart, a company of niggers iii a broken-down buggy, decorated waggons containing more “old ladies’ passed in quick-moving sequence. “Koat.es Coolies’ were a motley collection of "youths without means.” A'Maori whare made a good; impression, the vehicle containing numerous children, liberally coated with tattooing.

Although due only once a year, even old Father Christmas made his - appearance and joined in the procession. More loads of Mapri men and maidens cave vocal evidence of their part in ■ the activities. The. . Okaiawa basketball girls attired in. their bright costunies sang songs and parasolled old ladies sat primly- in their carriages. “Signor . Mosgrove’s Syncopating Susies” playing “Colonel Bogey, the same yesterday,, to-day and forever, made an interesting but unmelodious burlesque of a band. MONSTER CHEESE. A monster Kaupokonui ■ cheese transported on a lorry represented the district’s wealth, but there were mice, with the ever-watchful eat, playing merrily among the cheese crates. "Even the little mice like it,” was the motto of this more waggon-loads of Maoris passed at intervals; then came old Jimmie Caldwell’s wood waggon, about 50 years old, the horses behaving fractiously as of yore. The Auroa school drum and fife band, Manaia Boy Scouts, Manaia Cubs on a waggon decorated with tree .ferns, and more Maoris in war paint appeared. The Swiss were represented in a tableau, ‘ Mount Egmont, 1882—1932,” all attired in fancy costume and playing merrily with an accordion band. The most novel feature of the display was an accurate representation of the old watch tower containing a dupimy sentry on the look-out. The inscription said, . “The old A.C. tower—guardian sentinel of Manaia 50 years ago.”* A good example of a Maori whare passed on a sledge pulled by a hprge with a native warrior as rider. The Manaia Manchester Unity Oddfellows’ Lodge was represented, and then came trade displays from Hawera and Manaia firms. A waggon and six horses was a familiar sight in the district 30 years ago, and there it was, exactly as then, taking wool and chaff to the market, followed by the oldest model of reaper and binder. The Manaia Fire Brigade, Girl Guides on decorated bicycles, swaggers and children in fancy costume, passed in numbers. A sandwich man as an imitation chimney was unique. Motor-cars of various makes there were a-plenty. Mr. J. J. Patterson’s threshing mill and tractor formed an arresting exhibit. The threshing mill recalled the old cropping days of the plains. The tractor was in the form of a modern tank inscribed, “H.M.T. Manaia,” and bearing the legend, “I want to go back to the farm.”

A Red Indian wigwam with braves and squaws was a well-conceived display. A 1903 model car puffed along hesitatingly, a humorist having painted it “Mr Yarrow’s private car.” Children in fancy costume and the Auroa Pipe Band completed the procession.

PRIZES AWARDED. The-prizes were awarded as follow: — Best trade display: Kaupokonui Dairy Co. Best decorated vehicle: R. Franklin (A.C. tower). Best old-fashioned turn-out: E. K. Clague. decorated cycle: Baden Clare (John Bull) 1, Nancy Crompton (Gipsy) 2. ■ Children’s /fancy costume: Chess Queen 1, Ray Bennett (chicken) 2. Adult’s fancy costume: Eric . Griffin (Maori wahine). 1. . ' On arrival at the domaft gates the visitors 'were greeted ■ with enthusiastic hakas of welcome from the natives encamped there. The Maori ovens were opened and' baskets of food distributed. After the procession had circled the sports ground a few times the vehicles were drawn up in a row, and with this picturesque background and before a gathering of about 4000 spectators the natives for the next hour or two gave a memorable display of hakas, poi dances and old-time ceremonies. Stripped to the waist and wearing pin pius, the native warriors emulated their forefathers, with the same enthusiasm.

In full war paint the older ones performed war hakas of the most ancient kind, and even the juvenile Maoris made a successful effort under the careful training of thei.r old tutors. One of the pois was originated by the local tribe in 1880. In this the chanting was taken from the Scriptures and the songs referred to the canoe which brought their forefathers to New Zealand. The words mentioned the rivers, pas, whares and other landmarks of the district, and were symbolical of the past, when the Maori was undisputed ruler of the land. The hakas were also symbolical of earlier years ' ~»L>-rred to the early relations be-

tween native and pakeha. The local tribe also originated some of the hakas. The poi dance is really, a dance of peace, and one of those given refened to the time when .the natives were prevented at the Waiaua River, Opunake, from going to Parihaka. They devised this particular poi as a sign that they wanted not -war but peace. Nganeko, chief of the NgaruahineRangi tribe, extended a warm welcome to the pakeha, stating: “I welcome you all, my brethren pakeha—men, women and children.” He said that his tribe, of which he was leader, extended from Normanby to Oeo and embraced several sub-tribes.

While this display was going on one of the latest of modern inventions, an aeroplane, circled and stunted overhead in strange contrast with the old customs. The leaders of the various poi dances were Whakatu (Otakeho), Isaac Rei (Waiokura) and Wehi Mori (Okaiawa)., while the haka leaders were Rangi Tahi (Otakeho), Tamanui (Waiokura), Taka Mori (Okaiawa). Rangi Phillips was director of native ceremonies and the Ma&ri cooking was supervised by Rangi Rei and Rangi Huna. The natives were particularly, pleased with’the result and feel gratified. that their demonstration has succeeded in at least one of its objects—that of teaching and encouraging the younger natives to know and perpetuate the practice of their ancient customs. MANAIA BY NIGHT. . i ■■ Manaia streets and shops are all brilliantly lighted at night. Coloured lights are everywhere and the band rotunda presents a pyramid of brilliance. On both approaches the words “jubilee” blaze out a welcome in strong electric light, and flags are across the streets at both ends, of the town. FIXTURES FOR TO-DAY.

To-day the hockey tournament will commence at. noon, and with 30 teams entered a keen contest is assured. The reunion dinner at 1 p.ni. also promises to be a success, about 250 guests having signified their, intention of being present. The jubilee concert in the evening is already more than a success, all seats except two rows having been sold. At 1 p.m. to-morrow there will be a special. reunion of old pupils of the school, and a display of children’s worfe The ball to be held to-morrow night promises to eclipse any previous function held in Manaia. Hunt club balls have been notable events in the history of the district, but never before has there been a jubilee ball. A beautiful decorative scheme of coloured lights and circlets of artificial flowers and greenery suspended from the ceiling has been devised. Arrangements have been made for an overflow dance at the band hall, and the supper will be served both at the town, hall and the Oddfellows’ Hall.