Thai Premier Entertained

The Putiki Maori Club entertained the touring Thai Prime Minister and his party last February with a varied selection of Maori cultural items. Soloists were Miss Margaret Wepia and Mrs Paki Martin.

Mr W. R. Mete-Kingi, leader of the group, compered the performance in a sprightly fashion and was later presented with an engraved silver box by the Thai Premier, Field Marshall Thanom Kittikachorn. Several guests left the hall twirling souvenir pois or wearing Maori headbands.

Movie cameramen from Auckland, Wellington and Bangkok shot TV film of the concert. This part of the tour will probably be seen by viewers in Britain, Europe and Thailand.

The club's presentation was the only Maori entertainment the party saw during its six-day State tour of New Zealand.