WAIPAWA SAVAGE CLUB

Waipawa Mail, Volume LXVI, Issue 96, 23 May 1938, Page 2

WAIPAWA SAVAGE CLUB

OPENING KORERO INSTALLATION OF CHIEF SAVAGE DALLAS. On Friday night the Waipawa Savage Club entered on its twentyfirst year. The club has had its ups and downs, but is still “goingstrong.” Interest was ■ lent to the opening korero by the presence of a party from the Hastings Orphans, including Chief Orphan Hunter, who is wellknown in Waipawa, and a very cordial welcome was extended to them, acknowledgment being made by the Chief and Orphans Dysart and RushMunro. Outstanding in an interesting programme was the installation of Savage T. J. Dallas as Chief, the ceremony being somewhat unique. The Chief-elect had been the subject of murderous assault and his dismembered remains were produced from a suit case. A formal inquest was held and the two medicine men of the tribe undertook to re-assemble the fragments and restore life to the body, even supplying it with a new head, made in concrete, which, it was averred, would be much better and stronger than the old one. The audience were privileged to see the miracle performed by shadowgraph, and on its eompletition Savage Dallas, having taken the necessary oath of office to rale the hapu justly and firmly, was duly installed by the retiring Chief and accorded tribal honors. Subsequently Chief Orphan Hunter presented him with a gold tiki from the club, as the emblem of power and authority. Acknowledging the honor conferred upon him Chief Dallas said he hoped to have the full co-operation of all the members in making the season a success. Then followed instrumental items by Savages R, Rust, Cottrell, and Windle, elocutionai-y numbers by Savage Ward, songs by Savage Hart, and violin solos by Savage Windle, whilst Savage Barker led the company in a community sing. The accompaniments were ably played by Savage Rust, A feature of tile programme was an entertaining talk by Savage Eagle, in the course of which he recorded his impressions of the recent trip to Sydney with the returned soldiers’ contingent. He recounted amusing episodes on the boat and in Sydney, and laid particular stress on the impressiveness of the parades, notably the dawn service, paying tribute to the wonderfully sincere manner in which the Australians observe the Anzac Day memorial services. The talk was interesting and informative, and was greatly appreciated by all present. During a convenient break in the programme a tasty supper was served. The singing of the National Anthem closed a very successful opening korero. The programme for the next meeting is in the hands of Savages F. Holt and Chalmers, and will include a debate on a topical subject.