that even with modern material there are marked differences in the styles of singing and performance. The characteristic stamp of Te Arawa in general and Ngati Whakaue in particular is obvious on much of this disc. It is unfortunate that the cover notes give little except the titles of the songs, a eulogy on Sam Mitchell (which the group ‘boasts as its musical director’) and the somewhat cosmic statement that he has composed or arranged everything on the entire record. The space could well have been devoted to notes by Mitchell himself on much of the interesting material which is featured on this disc.

THE NATIONAL BAND OF NEW ZEALAND H.M.V. M.C.L.P. 6204 12 in. 331/3 L.P. There is only a single track featuring Maori music on this record. It consists of what are described as ‘traditional’ poi tunes—Haere ra e Hine ki Rotorua, Haere haere ra e Hine and Poi Waka to be specific—sung to band accompaniment by the Aotearoa Maori Group which performed with the band on its tour of U.S.A. and Canada in 1965. With the band accompaniment the songs sound like revivalist hymns roared out at a street corner meeting rather than ‘traditional’ Maori anything. Six strong Maoris are no match for a 60-strong band and the xylophone and the B flat bass win the unequal contest hands down. All that can be heard from the singers are a few high-pitched yelps as they struggle gamely but unsuccessfully for a hearing. It symbolises rather pathetically the engulfment of Maori culture by that of the Pakeha. Alas! ‘He kapara miti hinu.’

Also Received Kiwi have sent us their latest catalogue of records 1966/67. Leafing through its pages makes one aware of how much this firm has done to bring quality recordings of Maori music before the public. Some thirty titles of Maori records are listed. There are also a considerable number of recordings and record-cum-books of New Zealand souvenir interest. Kiwi gives tremendous encouragement to local artists in the serious music field and in doing so performs a great service to New Zealand music. The catalogue is extremely well produced on high quality art paper. It includes photographs of the record cover of each listing, a brief description of the record and sometimes a list of the contents. In many cases critics' opinions of records are quoted.

HINEMOA and TUTANEKAI MALP. 6021–2 A recorded version of the highlight of New Plymouth's 1966 Festival of the Pines. This famous Maori love legend is now available as a double album set, a wonderful addition to any record library and ideal for overseas friends. Complete with full libretto and comprehensive notes on The Legend, The Production and The Setting. AVAILABLE AT ANY RECORD COUNTER Manufactured and distributed by HIS MASTER'S VOICE (N.Z.) LTD. Head Office: P.O. Box 296, Wellington.4013