MAORI ARTS AND CRAFTS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 41, 19 February 1943, Page 2

MAORI ARTS AND CRAFTS

POI DANCING AT PATEA DEMONSTRATION BEFORE MINISTER. (0.C.) Patea, Feb. 18. The appointment of an instructor for tne leaching of arts and craits 0i the Maori before they are lost is visualised by the Minister of ixative Affairs, tne Hon. H. G. K. Mason, who, at x aieroa Pa, Patea, on Sunday, saw three ancient ceremonial Maori poi dances oemonstratea. Mr. Mason said he saw in the demonstration a pleasuraole metiiou oi physical training, incorporating rnytnm ana grace, ivir. Mason aetdeu that he was Keen to introduce Maori dances into all schools. 11 not taken up oy the pakeha children, they should at Rast be carried on by the Maori children.

Arrangements were made through Mr. W. wakarua and Mr. Maui One-kuv:-i, secretary and chairman respectively oi the Taranaki Maori Trust Hoard, lor a meeting and demonstration by some of the women who performed at Waitangi in 1934. At tne celebrations the troupe demonstrated that Taranaki poi dancing was more in keeping with the poi as danced ceil re tne pakeha influence. The only accompaniment to tne poi dances was an ancient chant, tne words oi whicn are now archaic, in tne first, ana chants ol an historical nature in the other.

Maui Onekura, in welcoming the Ministerial party, referred to tne inlure.-: laker, by the Minister in the ceremonial poi as aanceu m Tarana.. .

Since the 1934 Waitangi celebrations I he party had not practised the dances, :e added, and the Minister s request for treir demonstrations would create renewed interest in a branch ol then ait v Inch should not be Jost.

AL. Mason, in reply, said he wa: lust impressed by the performance o the Taranaki troupe at >he Wai tangi celebrations.