Polynesian Soldiers
p. 61 · Read in the full issue
A LARGE party of Maori soldiers from New Zealand, on their way to the front, were entertained in Sydney some time ago by the Polynesian Club.
They came from most of the N.Z. tribes, and there were emotional scenes on their first visit as they recognised members of their own “hapu” among club members.
The “hongi” (the nose rub of old Polynesia) was seen everywhere. In fact, the scene resembled a Maori tangi for a while, rather than a social gathering.
However, with their natural ebullience, the soldiers soon proved themselves ex cellent entertainers in guitar playing, singing, and dancing.
The Club chieftainess (Mrs. Waikainga Tipene) and her cousin, Mrs. Nehua Barley, discovered that they were related to half the men in the room, the Ngapuhi element predominating at that particular gathering. Among the younger men was Private Paikea, whose father is a member of the N.Z. Parliament.
It did not take the Samoan-speaking members long to find out that there were two Samoans among the New Zealanders —Arthur Leger, from Pago Pago and Tonga, and Dick Jessup, from Apia.
At each gathering, as well as the last one, soldiers and members united in singing the sad Maori farewell “haere ra” (or “Po atarau” as some call it) the Maori tune which has captivated the ear of the world.
Rev. D. F. Boorman, 8.A., who for the past four years has been a worker for the Methodist Mission in the Lau Group, Fiji, is expected to return to Australia shortly.