No Need for Leg Shows

Te Ao Hou, Summer 1954, Page 53

This graphic picture of a warrior competing for the A Poho-o-Rawiri Youth Club was sent to us by the Rev. Brown Turei, of Gisborne. It was taken at a grand competition held at Gisborne last September, between teams representative of tribes from Anaura in the North to Wairoa in the South. Winners were the Waihirere party. The Rev. Brown Turei was compere for the evening. (Kandid Kamera Kraft Photograph.) No Need for Leg Shows High praise for the Maori Concert Party in Korea is contained in a letter from the Rev. Sam Rangiihu, former Vicar of St Faith's Church, Rotorua, and now Chaplain to the Forces in Korea. ‘The mere sight of them’, said Mr Rangiihu, ‘brought a lump in my throat, and as I greeted them with the “hongi” I felt that we were all silently paying our mutual respects to the memory of the fallen here in Korea and Japan, and those at home who had passed beyond the veil.’ Mr Rangiihu found the party installed at the New Zealand Base Headquarters at Hiro, Japan. After dinner that night, it put on its first concert at the adjacent British base camp. The hall was packed to capacity with an audience which included approximately 150 Kiwis. ‘It was magnificent. The simplicity with which the programme was presented, the absence of the usual professionalism, the natural acting ability of the Maori, the natural harmony—all these qualities gave an entirely refreshing picture as compared with the usual concert party! Having heard the show himself three times, Mr Rangiihu included these comments to show just how much the party is appreciated— Heard from a British naval officer: ‘I have been in most parts of the world and never yet seen such grace or heard such beautiful harmony.’ A New Zealand doctor: ‘It brought a lump in my throat and made me proud to be a New Zealander.’ A Canadian padre: ‘It goes to prove that there is no need for high kicking and suggestive leg shows.’ ‘I could go on,’ says the writer, ‘but I will conclude by saying that the most poignant and touching scene happened at the Officers' Club at Kure on the occasion of the farewell dinner for Brigadier R. S. Park, C.B.E. The concert party paid tribute by asking Ao Tamehana to sing “Home Sweet Home”. Ao captured the hearts of all those gathered here and as the chorus died away there were many misty eyed New Zealanders applauding spontaneously and vociferously.’ ‘Their presence with the regiment during Christmas, concluded Mr Rangiihu, ‘will, I am certain, bring joy and happiness, particularly to the Rotorua lads.’ —From A. J. Nealon