THE MAORIS’ DAY.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 7913, 2 August 1917, Page 2

THE MAORIS’ DAY.

A BIG EFFORT. IN AID OF THEIR WOUND®* SOLDIERS’ FUND. “ Waipawa was a busy centre v e day. The natives of the districts determined on a big effort to >! money for the Maori Wounded's diers’ Fund, and no stone was left turned to achieve the desired oh * Natives streamed into town £ ro °* partß, and added color and U:! , were lent to the day’s proceedijJ the presence of the M.A.C. Band shop was established in the adjoining Mr W. D. Pattison’s , splendid business was done in the of produce, Maori kits, etc., w) j| i’ bevy of dusky damsels collected m

a goodly sum by the sale of In the afternoon the M.A.C. j’ paraded the streets, headed by a stalwart wahines picturesquelv turned in red, white and blue ? hearing the Union Jack, Ensip, ’' Maori flags. Then the scene of L tions was transferred to serve, where a football match played between the M.A.C. stud™ and a local team, the former *j„, a well-contested game by 3 a penalty goal kicked by Nepij, wai. Mr E. J. Maher officiated referee. A collection taken up t( , ground substantially supplemented day’s takings. M.A.C. STUDENTS. The promoters of the entertain given by the students of the J, Agricultural College, in the Mini, Theatre last evening, have everyi son to be elated with the sucee# their efforts, both from a musical, financial point of view. Before opening overture was played theatre was packed, standing B only being available. In fact „ late-comers, rather than expehi the discomfort of the crush, left building disappointed at noth able to secure a seat.

Proceedings were opened with overture contributed by the Cel orchestra, which also provided music throughout the evening, tl efforts being much appreciated vaudeville sketch, ‘ ‘ The Great kin Case,” gave the studenta at portunity of showing their histrir abilities, and they appeared to s heartily into the fun of the court) ceedings. The brunt of the work on Wirihana Paewai as Judge Fi Hoani Hampera as Lawyer F« and Mafekin Pcra as Lawyer Sqoi These, with the aid of several i nesses, kept their audience in a a stant simmer of laughter. Outiti ing features of the programme i the numbers provided by Profs Smith’s “Smart Set,” a combitij of ten vocalists and instrumental who contributed items which bra forth several recalls. During the] gress of this part of the progna a novelty was introduced il Mdlle. Sophie Pita showed her ibil as a danseuse by “Hula Hula” dance. Twelve Mi maids then further enhanced merits of the programme with graceful poi danee. During the interval Mr Ihaia 3 tana welcomed those present, andtl stressed the fact of the amount work the women folk were doing) ing the present war. He also point out that there was still plenty te and hoped the men would not id their efforts on the assumption tl the women were doing all that i necessary.

The performance concluded with series of minstrel items, inclii solos, quartettes, dialogues, and t usual by-play associated with th which served to send their hearen their homes in a happy frame mind. Mr Stewart Meha, on behalf oft Maori Wounded Soldiers’ Associiti thanked the faculty and studentsh the College for their help, and alsott nudience for their support. In doi so he stated that the Association b set themselves the task of co!W £30,000, of which sum they ha)» approximately £12,000 in hand. THE FINANCIAL RESULTS. The day’s effort, covering the A football match, and concert, real) £192 13s 6Jd, from which haslet deducted the following for expenae —Rent of theatre £6 10s, carriage students £l3, poi girls £2, J. Med £9 12s 6d, “Mail” £7; total, IS Cd. The balance, £154 11s 6}d, * be devoted to assisting the native* < Patangata, Pourerere, and Kairab to provide their quota (£200) of > fund being raised. A few particulars concerning I efforts of the natives on behalf of* representatives in the firing line * not be out of place. Some time aj» was felt that in the Dominion effort that were being made to provide! wounded soldiers the native tW were being overlooked. The MW therefore took it upon themselves form an association with the object looking after their own. The East* Maori electorate undertook to ® £30,000 a year until the comply of the war, and of this sum sieri] inately £12,000 has already k raised. The Waipawa district’s)* was £2OOO, and of this £l6* “ hand. The chairman, secretary J treasurer of the Association i* J Hon. A. T. Ngata, and among*** most active workers are Lady and Dr. Pomare. All the connection with the raising of J®® have to come before the genefl* mittee, and the utmost care isttf® see that everything is conducts businesslike lines.