THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17646, 26 December 1922, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

BALCAIKN. The excursion to the Exhibition last week was favoured with fine weather, and was greatly enjoyed by children and parents. The excursionists went i out to Riccarton, and had a picnic in the gardens before proceeding to the Exhibition. After seeing the Exhibition the party returned to the gardens, where they had afternoon tea. A return was made by the evening train. The Balcairn School broke up for the holidays on Friday last, when an entertainment was given in the school by the pupils. The children, under Mr Stagpoole and Miss Eussel, did very creditably, and their efforts were warmly received by the big audience present. The first part consisted of a short concert. Items were given as., follows:—Chorus, "Bedtime," schoolchildren; song, "The Short Cut," G. K. Stagpoole; duet, "Home to Our Mountains," S. and G. B. Stagpoole; song, "In Old Madrid," Master A. Day. This boy singer created a very favourable impression, and was recalled. Chorus from "Faust," schoolchildren (seniors); quartot, "When My Shoes Wear Out from Walking," Misses Habgood, Stagpoolo, Fleming, and B*ibbard. These young girls surprised everyone by the culture and richness of their voices. Four little tots, Emily Day, Kathleen Kelcher, Norah Hibbard, Alice Day, and Bona Cooper sang "Raindrops" very sweetly, and were recalled. General satisfaction was expressed at the surprising progress of the school in music since the new teachers took oyer. This was followed by a farce entitled "Hard Times," performed by tho senior boys. The characters wero as follows:—The Boss, A. Henderson; Bill, E. Day; Sundowner, A. Day; Mr Massy, N. Habgood; the Mayor of Saltwater Creek, B. Fitzpatrick; Miss Finley, W. Jamieson; Triplets, H. Henderson, E. Barnden, and H. Jamieson; Doctor, Bert Batchelor; Ghost, E. Demmock; Patient, T. Flem- ] ing. The acting of the boys caused roars of laughter, and was much appreciated. The event of the evening was, however, the performance of the fairy play "Cinderella" by the girls. Great pains had been taken by tho teachers to make the performance a success, and the children nobly responded. The characters were: Prince Charming, Molly Hibbard; Cinderella, Sarah Stagpoole; Mother Mary, Mary Demmock; Sister Lucy, Dorothy Williams;. Sister Mabel, Bernice Fleming; Herald, Mona Baines; Fairy Godmother, Dorothy Habgood; Attendants on the Prince, Thelma Gorrie and Esma Jones; Fairies, Emily and Alice Day, Norah Hibbard, and Kathleen Kelcher. A feature was a singing gavotte danced by the prince and Cinderella and tho herald and the fairy godmother. The dresses were lovely, the prince being dressed in' red velvet, and Cinderella in rich old ivory broche silk edged with ' heavy silk fringe.. The.others were dressed in a corresponding fashion, and altogether tho performance was a highly creditable one. A dance followed, all enjoying themselves in real Christmas fashion. Refreshments were provided by the ladies, and were full and plentiful. Mr Norman Kelcher made a most efficient M.C., and the music for the dance was supplied by Mr and Mrs Sangster, violin and piano, Miss Fitzpatrick and Hibbard, and Mr Ted Smith and Mr J. Smith. EANGIOBA. The fine weather of Saturday attracted a very large crowd into Rangiora, and there was a very busy sceno in the streets until close on midnight. About 7 o'clock Father Christmas arrived at the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operative Stores, and distributed giftse of. sweets to the children. Business in all the shops was very brisk, and sh&pkeepors interviewed state that the volume of business was bigger, than in the previous two Christmases, ready m'oneV being plentiful. The cracker and bomb nuisance was greatly in evidence. In all the churches on Sunday appropriate Christmas hymns wore sung. At St. John's Anglican Church a special carol service was held in the evening, and at the Presbyterian Church a special service was held for childin the morning, and a carol service in the evening- On Christmas Eve the carol singers were out, and on Christmas morning the Rangiora Silver Band played Christmas hymns and carols in the various streets. 1 COLDSTBEAM. The first annual picnic of the newlyestablished Coldstream School was held in glorious weather at MThe Willows," an ideal spot on tho Coldstream Estate. The settlers turned out in force, and the gathering was a credit to the district. Ah ample luncheon was dispensed by the ladies, and greatly ap- , predated by all. A series of races was run off for the children and grownups, and games were indulged in. Be- j suits:—Married women's race: "Mrs j Barnes 1, Mrs Martin 2. Married men's race: Martin 1, Taylor 2. Single women's race: Miss V. Birch 1, Miss J. Bain 2. Single men's race: B. Brown , 1. Committeemen's race: Martin 1, Harris 2. 'At the prize-giving, the chairman, Mr E. J. Martin, thanked those present for contributions towards the prize fund, and donors outside of the district for "specials." He also thanked Miss Sloan for her untiring energy in bringing on her pupils, and at his call three lusty cheers were given for her. The Rev. E. McCully was then asked to present-the prizes, and in so doing, congratulated the children on their successes, and- wished all the season's greetings. To conclude a most enjoyable ' day, Mr W. Scott gave some bagpipe selections, and Miss Merlo Brown, Miss Olive Burch, and Miss Joy Simmons a pleasant display of Highland dancing. The -Presbyterian Church at Coldstream is now".firmly established, and once a month the Eev. E. McCully holds a service in the school. All attendances have been very large, and by clubbing together the congregation have secured a very good organ, at which Mrs A. Bond has kindly presided. i GBEENPAEJK. On Thursday evening in the Memorial Hall the annual school concert was held, in aid of the school library. The satisfactory amount of about £l3 was netted. Mr J. Stalker, chairman of the School Committee, was in the chair. The programme was as follows: —Opening chorus, senior children; marching, 20 girls in fancy costume; duet, Edna Macartney and Kathleen Kimber; chorus, ."Hail to the Chief"; dialogue, "The Socialists," George Neill and Leslie Dulieu; chorus, "Down in the Cornfield," and Round, 'Come Follow

Me"; song, Nina Watkins; recitation Joyce Williamson; dancing steps, 10 girls in costume; tableau, '"Come Canoeing Down the Wanganui," Edna and Ray Macartney, Andrew Mitchell and Kathleen Kimber; song, Margaret Kimber; dialogue, "Trials of a Schoolmistress," Edna and Eay Macartney; duet, Edna Macartney and Kathleen Kimber; song, "Oh for the "Wings of a Dove," Kathleen Kimber; Highland Fling, Leonia Dennehy; waltzing, eight girls in costume. Mr Stalker then moved a vote of thanks to the school staff, Mr Williamson and Miss Costello, and also to Mrs Kimber and Mrs Williamson, who spared no pains to make the concert such a success. Prizes were distributed to every child in the school. The leading children in the several classes were as follows: —Standard 6, Andrew Mitchell; Standard 6, Margaret Kimber 1, Edna Macartney 2, Jean Mather 3. Standard 4, George Gardner 1, Raymond Mitchell 2, Trevor Everest 3. Standard 3, Hilda Matthews 1, Rene Dulieu 2, Milly Neill 3. Standard 2, Isabel Kimber 1, Gwen Mitchell 2, Robert Mather 3. Standard 1, Joyce Williamson 1, Ellen Hamilton 2, Jeff Kimber 3. P. 3, Thomas Breen 1, Reginald Matthews 2, Ward Gardner 3. Boys' gardening, George Neill. Girls' gardening, Nina Watkins. Sewing: Standard 5, Edna Macartney 1, Nina Watkins 2; Standard 3 and .4, Milly Neill 1, Rene Dulieu 2; Standard 1 and 2, Gertrude Brown 1, Gwen Mitchell 2; P.l, Kathleen Everest 1, Salvia Bennett 2. Miss Costello's prize for. fancy-work, Edna Macartney 1, Hilda Matthews 2. Attendance certificate, Alexander Nicol, Joyce Williamson. Proficiency, certificate, Andrew Mitchell. Supper and a dance closed, a most successful function. SPBINGFIELD. The weather has been very changeable lately. The crop's are looking very promising, and a good, dry spell is required to ripen them off thoroughly. The school children, under the supervision of the headmaster, paid a visit to the Christchurch Exhibition, and j were greatly impressed by what they j saw and by the instruction received, j During their visit'to the city they, took the opportunity of becoming acquainted with the gardens, and paid special at- | tention to the native section. A visit j to the museum also proved a source of great interest and delight to them. At the combined school sports, held at Russell's Flat, between the Russell's ! Flat, Kowhai Bush, and Springfield schools, Springfield was not successful in winning back the running shield, but won several of the events on the programme. The weather proved very disappointing for the picnic to Keenan's Bush, which was organised by. Mr J. Kelly. Rain commenced just before arriving at the picnic grounds, and continued showery throughout the day. Had it not been for the forethought of Mr Kelly in bringing tarpaulins,* the drive rhome/would have proved a very wet and Uncomfortable one. As it was, quite a caravan effect was produced by rigging tent-wise covering over the waggons. ' ' - The "break-iip" celebrations were continued at the hall, where a very jollv time was spent till .well after midnight. The evening's entertainment commenced with a programme of items by the school pupils as follows: Opening chorus, "There's a Song Down Every Pathway," junior and senior pupils; recitation, "A Terrible Tale," Miss D. Butterfield; action song, "Teddy Bear," infants; Highland dance." Seann Trinbhais, Misses U. and J. Milne; recitation,, "Saturday Morning Early," Miss N. Milliken; Dutch song and dance, Misses L. Smith, D. Butterfield, and E. Fraser, Masters J. Geddes, G. Smith, and C. Dorward; dialogue, "Up-to-date Poetry," Masters J. Doody, P. Vaughan; finale action and costume song, "Good-night," senior girls. The accompaniments were played by Mrs W. M. Campbell (rjiano,,. and Mr E. Odgers (violin). Mr W. Donovan, chairman of the School Com mittee, thanked all those who had helped to make the dav's events so pleasurable, and also those who had taken an active interest in the financial affairs of the school throughout the year, particular references bein<£ madp to Mrs Powell, who .had lent the hall gratis during the winter and spring for the' fortnightly euchre tournaments, and to Miss Dalby and Mr W. Martin, wlio had contributed their services as musicians for the benefit of the several schools funds. Each of the pupils of the school received a very suitable prize, and special prizes were awarded as follows:—Good attendance, Lilian Smith, George Smith, Edward Newman (presented by School Committee); two books, prizes given by Mrs Taylor, Colin Dorward and George Smith; general efficiency (given by Miss Dalby), Denzill Innes; first prize for agriculture (given by Mr W. Donovan), Pat Vaughan; first prize for arithmetic, (given by Mr W. M. Campbell). A special prize for gardening, given by the School Committee, was awarded to D. Innes. The distribution of prizes was followed by supper and a dance. Spirited music was contributed by Miss K. Millar (piano), Messrs H. Muller, and E. Odgers (violin). A very interesting discovery was made by Mr, Nelson at the new railway yards recently in the shaye. of » huge moth, measuring over 3in in length and about IJin in girth. It was found slumbering on a pile of Australian iron bark timber recently imported. The wings were not fully developed. It has been handed into the 'museum to be classified. Much interest and enthusiasm is being shown in connexion with tne coming Springfield Athletic Sports Meeting, to be held on December 30th,, when a very interesting programme or events will he contested.