PAST AND PRESENT OF THE MAORI RACE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLIX, Issue 12551, 14 July 1905, Page 7

PAST AND PRESENT OF THE MAORI RACE.

An entertainment illustrative of the above subject is to be given by the Putiki natives at the Opera House, on Monday evening, 24th July, in aid of the funds required to pay for the painting and improving of the Maori Church at Putiki: also, for repairing and enlarging the burial-ground adjoining the Church. The entertainment will consist of:—

1. Scene showing the arriv:il of the Maoris in New Zealand from Hauiki, their costumes, etc., illustrated. 2 A Maori war dance. 8 Scene shorting arrival of the first Europeans—missionaries, etc. 4. A Maori welcome (Poliiri), one tribe to another, illustrated. (This is to ho done by the elder members of the company).

5. A Maori "haka," by both sexes. 0. A "poi" dance, by men only. 7. A Maori Company song, by the young men and boys.

8. A "poi" dance, by girls only. 9. Finafe, English part songs, solos, etc.

The idea is to show the gradual adoption by the Maoris of European dress, habits, ways, and modes of living, ©tc, from the very first up to the present time. There will in all probability be between 40 and 50 taking part in the above unique and interestlgn entertainment at the Opera House on July 24th. Mr Basil Taylor, son of the late B. K. Taylor, and grandson of the late Rev. R. Taylor, M.A., F.G.S., Church Missionary, is in charge of the mvsical portions of the programme and singing of the English part-songs, solos, etc. The Rev. A. 0. Williams, Church of.England Missionary, Putiki, will preside, but should that much-esteemed clergyman and devoted missionary be unable to attend (he is absent in the Wairarapa just now, visiting the natives), his place will be supplied by some well-known citizen or another who takes an interest in mission work. To Miss Stirling is chiefly due the credit -of getting -ap this ©iite :tAliment and training those taking part in same, and we sincerely trust her efforts will be rifchly rewarded. The above will,-, we make no doubt, prove a most interesting, attractive, and amusing entertainment, and we expect to see our Opera House iilled to over-flowing on Monday evening, July 24th.