MAORI ENTERTAINMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2884, 22 October 1895, Page 3

MAORI ENTERTAINMENT.

The Maori entertainment at the Volunteer Hall, Geraldiuo, ou Friday evening last attracted a very numerous audience from near jand far. The entertainment was the first of its kind ever given in Geraldiue, and thus, being a novelty, created considerable iuterest umoogst the public. The object for which it was given was also a worthy one, the proceeds being for the benefit of the Maori church at Arowheuua. The Rev. J. Preston held the position of chairman, and in a few remarks introduced the Maori performers to the Geraldiuo audience, mentioning that these Natives in doing their utmost to raise funds to put their church iu good order were a bright example to us all. He hoped the proceeds that evening would roach the expectations of his Maori friends. The programme consisted of 22 iton-is, and was. taken part in entirely by Maoris, in native costume, *ho acquitted themselves in a very creditable manner, and were warmly applauded again and again. The first part of th© programme was commenced with a chorus by the company, " Turi awai po kia moo huri au," which, being translated, means " In the night when I am turning to sleep," There was a peculiar sound like wailing about this chorus which for a time made it quite impressive. Mrs Walker came next with J the song, " Tera tepoke ao," or " Gathering of Clouds," being symbolical of the union of the Natives with the British. The company then went through the famous Maori war dance, a performance which was highly interesting to any who had read about it but had not witnessed it. Of course it elicited an encore, and hearty applause for the New Zealand braves. Mr Torepe next contributed a aoug, the name of which we failed to got, but whateuer it was it won for him loud applauso. Mrs Ueaika sang the song, " Pukapapa kai te tahuna," which means in English "Startled by a whistle or a gun's report in tho riverbed." This item can be described as "short and sweet," for the lady seemed ccarcely on the platform before she was oil' again. The audience, however, was not to bo outdone, so they gave Mrs Teaika a vociferous encore, to which she responded with "Oho rere to mauri." The following item was one of special importance to tho audience, viz., .Mr Paiki's celebrated clog dance, which called forth a very boisterous encore. The European song '• (Jampbelltowu " by Mr Laisonor, went with a good Bwing, and was rather sweetly sung, aud the Maori sketch by Mr Parana was well received. Miss F. Fowler gave a nice rendering of tho European song "Our ha ids have met," and hid to to respond to an encore. Tho eiword L>;tmo by Mi.ss Kitca Kcliu would, doubtless, have done credit, to a Highland lassie, it svas performed in such a graceful manner. Amidst loud applause Miss llehu was recalled. '> lie la.;t Horn on the first put of tho program I .i'i was tho pathetic European song '• i'oor little Joe," by Master Teaika, who, in response to an encore, gavo a very humorous rendu: in:: of an Irish comic, " Take it out of tiiat.'' After au interval of live minutes ;lie company sang iho opening chorus, " K noho ana hoki a nei i roto koia o toku wharo"(" Winn I am sitting in myhouto.''; Then they performed th:: 'lance known a.-i " Putini, Idouni," which has some signification with Lvspcei to the West 00;.m.. This was a capital piece. Mr 11. Toratah: followod with tho sketch, " E whai ana to whetu o wahi ana te inarama " (" Tho

titars and the Moon revolving aro revolving forward.") For this Mr Teratoid had to respond with an encore. The European song aud dance entitled " Tho Musicalo at New York" was in the hands of Mr Whi'-au, who did it full justice. The company was again in evidence with tho Maori llaka, and Mrs Walker, with a strong voi-.v, afterwards sang " Wai a to kauoht kite tiro lianga atu," which means t -at " While singing to to audience, water c:uo to her eyes." Tho piece was evi- ■ ontly well sung, but in the present instance it failed to bring water to tho eyes of tlu audience, but it was n > fault , of theirs, for they were apparently in i i ;iiorance of the words. Mr Leonard

v m loudly applauded for tho t'akeha F.)pjg, '• Eri.TM green ;,h u'o," and the company contriluned another Maori, dance. .''r Paiki again :;ppeared in one of his i'umuablo step dances, this time a ,-iilor's hornpipe, which gained for him a t-reat round of applause aud an encore, ;.ie lit hen ess of the dancer and his clever performance being most favorably comnu'/.'.ted on by tho audience. Miss Kahu g.ivo a nice rendering of the song "Meet i!io by moonlight alone," for which she t'.i.-i!) "had to respond to an encore. The programme closed with a grand Maori v.-ar dance by the company, " Takiri, Takiri," tho song being taken by Mr Teratihi. At tho conclusion of the entertainment Mr Paiki came on to the platform, and on behalf of the Maoris thanked the Gcraldino public for so liberally patronising them, and for the appreciation they had shown towards the performers. The proceedings closed with the company and the audience singing " God Save the Queen." During the evening the accompaniments were played by Mr A. S. Sugdeu in a satisfactory manner. One pleasing feature of the en tertaiumen t worthy of note was the stage management of the company, which was excellent, the items following each other without any hitch or loss of time. We are indobted to Messrs Paiki and Teratahi for interpretations. After the entertainment the hall was cleared for dancing, when a large number of couples remained and enjoyed themselves till an early hour next morning. Mr W. Mee acted as AJ.C, aud the music was supplied by Messrs F. Clarkson (accordeon), and Paiki (piano). The catering was done in a first-class manner by Mr J. Riordau. In r ur advertising columns the company return thanks for the liberal support ac- I corded to them.