MAORIHAKA PERFORMANCE AT CAMBRIEGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1355, 8 March 1881, Page 2

MA ORI HA KA PERFORMANCE AT CAMBRIEGE.

The Maori war dance or haka, as it 3 name imports, demonstrated a crisis in Maori afftiirs. It signalised the eve of battle, the commencement of hostilities in respect of which inter-tribal rights and disputes were referred to the arbitrament of arms. As a natural result, the memory of sucli events exercise a stirring effect on the Maori character, otherwise we assume that, unlike kindred natures, they are destitute of that patriotism which venerates the deeds of daring and acts of heroism by which their rights and liberties were secured from feudal aggression and foreign invasion. No doubt the haka reveals much that is meaningless, even gross and sensual to the European mind. We must, however, remember that ifc is in every respect an institution sacred to the memory of a barbarous age ; an age when the refined instincts of the present day did hot" prevail even amongst our race. Its great apparent object is to appeal to the passions and work up the feelings to that frenzied state of excitement oy which the mind is compelled to acts of recklessness as well as those of daring. It operates pretty much in the same way the sound of the pibroch acts or rather acted on the mind of the patriotic Highlander, and we have it on the word of authentic record that invited thereunto by itswildnotes, the celt would divest himself of his plaid, and indeed, every other article of clothing even to the outskirts of modern delicacy, and in a semi-nude state, rush madly on to the fray. Even so with the New Zealand Maori. Hia instincts are roused .to a similar, pitch by the "war cry" of his native land, and before we judge too harshly of- results, it is right and proper we' should take a careful survey of the -.reaL statei.ot affairs amongst ourselves when the circumstances of the two cases were'mdre" old3ely analogous. -i "Eye-witness" writes :— *.' So mnch for negative ; let me say a word in explanation of the positive. A performance or exhibition of this sort was notified for the evening of Friday. Opinions differed as to its propriety. The ghostly adviser strongly counselled remaining away. He argued that.it required a force; of moral character not usually pourtrayed in^lej; me say for argument representatives of the Press, and by way of practical > illustration pointed out that ag your reporter' was ,a brand, tyui recently plucked from the burning, its consequences might be attended by renewed acts' of incendiarism. lam grieved to add these wise counsels a'net sage advices did not prevail, and in the language of the, storybook, this '.child of anxious solicitude' might have been seen amongst the r motley crowd assembled m the -Town Hall, 'Cambridge, on the evening in question.'' The preliminary- arrangements were somewhat novel. ', ,Tl3te vacant adjoining' the stage entrance to the hall'was se,t apart asaprivate'dressing-room'foTladiesotthe dramati* persona, .The. p.lot.in questfpn is usediaa storage ground by'/ an agricultural implement, vendor, and it was interesting to note the facility with which these.

'dusky beauties' improvised doublefurrow ploifghs/ reaping machines, harrows, &c, as theatrical wardrobes, dressing-tables, and other' ends to Btage effect peculiar to the green-room. It is not saying .too <much . to add that some of the more delicate parts of female attire w.crc donned and adjusted in this way, and by these means. When the hall doors opened at 8 p.m. they were literally beset by a clamorous mob composed chiefly of Maoris. The hall was^ soon filled, and by the time the performance' commenced, it was full to overflowing. By way of relieving the' strain thereby occasioned to the olfactory nerve, doors and windows were thrown open, and by that means the strength of the atmosphere was somewhat diluted. Still 1 it was considerably ovßrproof ■; but in an assemblage where even the- 'gentle sex' could 'suck inspiration' . irom n -clay pipe, that did not so much matter. The haka itself was measured out to tis in, smajl doses, and by way of further strengthening the medicinal application it was ' Well shaken when taken. It was subdivided iuto ten or twelve parts, and although the jargon accompanying each sounded pretty much the same all through, the postures were in many respects dissimilar. The effect aimed at in erery instance was the same— the hideous, the diabolical. The front rank of per- . formers consisted of females dressed after .a rild artistic fashion, strictly in keeping \rtch the characteristic traits of the entertainment. One mark of distinction aimed at by all was a most unnatural set or twist of the eye. In that respect the femnlo performers appeared to be perfect adepts, They kept working them up and down after a most ghostly fashion until tho face appeared to be turned upside down. Coupled with other bodily contortions the effoct was at ones painful and ludicrous. Apart, however, from the rtlder features of the performance it must be admitted that a very creditable amount of falent in /the histrionic art was at times displayed, considering the stage "was closely packed, and the performers had barely standing space, in making their evolutions, admirable time and considerable precision was observed. What in a more select circle would have been named the "leading lady" did her part admirably, and exhibited an ense approximating grace, which showed that with a well directed course of instruction she was capable of much higher ca.st in dramatic art than anything likely to present itself in Maori entertainment. As an Helen Macgregor, or Meg Merrili«s, inferior natural characters have won thespian honors. The name of this talanted personage— for talented she most undoubtedly proved herself to be— is Matite. Tukau, another Jcmate member of the tribe, who took second part, was likewise good, although inferior in many respects to her coadjutor. Another extraordinary character — one who would have done excellent service in demonstrating the 'dance of witches' — was a youth ot twelve years of age, named Te Arawhata. He is one of those thin, wiry creatures who can strike all manner of droll attitudes, and after cutting remarkable capers in front, disappeared amongst the feet and legs of the others after a most extraordinary fashion. The tube by whom the entertainment was got up hails from Rotorua, and is named the Te Arawa. In conclusion, I have only to add that, of its kind, the performance was a good one, and that the same company, with veiy little trouble, could be made to produce quite a sensation in perhaps any part of the woild."