Polynesian club of Sydney

DESPITE war’s end, the Polynesian Club of Sydney has continued its usual wartime charity work.

A spectacular effort was a presentation of Maori Poi dances and action songs by members in Martin Place, in conjunction with the famous RNZ Air Force Band, for the Fourth Victory Loan.

As usual, the club has kept open house every Tuesday night to members of the Forces. Among recent visitors were Bill Head, from Niue (who is in the Mer chant Navy); Peter Ngamoki and Ben Morrison, Maori members of the NZ Navy; Alfred Lang, another Maori from Rotorua; and Cash Kingi from the British Navy. The latter is one of those rare visitors to Sydney, a South Island Maori.

Many returning POW’s paid the club a visit during their brief stay in Sydney.

Some of the Maori prisoners had mas tered the local dialect whilst in prison camp in Italy and said it was much easier to learn than German, the Italian vowels being similar to the Maori sounds.

Among these ex-prisoners of war was Hori Wycllffe, of Maketu, east coast of NZ.

Welcome was extended to Dora and Ivy Buffet, returned from their holiday in Norfolk Island, and to Peter Cowan, of Tahiti—now discharged from the AIF after being in the Borneo landings, and waiting to get a ship back home.

A charming Samoan visitor was Mrs.

Harry Laurenson, who came with her husband, Lieutenant Laurenson. She was formerly Laura Harder, of Apia. She gave an exhibition of the Hawaiian Hula, which delighted all who saw it.