THE CHATHAMS' CHILDREN.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17666, 19 January 1923, Page 10

THE CHATHAMS' CHILDREN.

NO SIGN OF FLAGGING INTEREST. The party of scholars from tho Chathams Islands schools put in a fairly heavy day sight-seeing yesterday. Mr ,r. A. Thomson, the headmaster of tho Tc One School, who is in charge of the party, told a reporter that some people had suggested to him that the scholars must be getting tired of sight-seeing, and that so much trotting about must be beginning to pail on them. As far as Mr Thomson can lind out from the scholars themselves this does not appear to be the case; they seem to be consumed with an insatiable curiosity. In fact, Mr Thomson suggested to the scholars that they should have a day or two off, free from any set engagements, but the suggestion was promptly negatived and the unanimous opinion seemed to be that they wanted to seo everything possible. "Please, sir," said one of the scholars, "I may never get up again!" It must be highly gratifying to tho Canterbury School Committees' Association, and to those who, by their subscriptions to the Entertainment Fund, have made the visit of the Islanders possible, that the opportunities afforded them to seo everything of interest are so greatly apprecated, and so eagerly taken advantage ofYesterday morning the scholars, accompanied by Mr and Mrs Thomson, visited the premises of the New Zealand Farmers' Co-operativo Association of Canterbury. In the absence or the general manager, Mr A. W. Jamieson, the party was received and welcomed by Mr E. W. Eelph, the superintendent of the Association, and were shown over the various departments by Mr W. K. Gahagan. In tho dress and millinery departments it was noted that the boys seemed to be quite as interested in the styles displayed as the girls. The scholars were particularly interested in the pneumatic cash delivery system, the details of which were explained to them. They were also greatly interested in the cool stores, and in the motor garage. There were entertained with morning tea. The afternoon was spent at the Canterbury Agricultural College at Lincoln, motor transport Being kindly provided by Mr C. H. Blake, cartage contractor, Iticcarton. On arrival at the College the party was received by the director, Mr R. E. Alexander. Afternoon tea was provided, after which the scholars were shown over the College and the farm and showed much in terest in the threshing plant and the milking machines. Even greater interest -was shown in the orchard, where the scholars were not long in discovering some ripe apricots.

In the concert hall at the Y.M.C A., kindly placed at the disposal of the Canterbury School Committees' Association by the Y.M.C.A. authorities, the scholars and teachers were tne guests of the School Committees' Association at a most delightful entertainment, the items being provided by Mr F. A. Maling's talented juvenile company, "The Merrymakers." The president of the School Committees' Association, Mr T. P. Moore, presided, and amongst those present were: Messrs W. G. Armitage, chairman of the Canterbury Education Board, T. Hughes, J. Maze, C S. Thompson (members of the Board), and H. C. Lane (secretary of the Board). He apologised for the absence of Mr E. H. Andrews, one of the members of the Board. Before the conclusion of the entertainment Mr J. A. Thomson, in returning thanks on behalf of the scholars, said that it had been one of the luckiest days in the lives of the kiddies when the School Committees' Association decided to arrange for the trip. "If you could only realise," Mr Thomson added, "what you have done for these kiddies —the environment you have taken them away from, even if only for a short period—you would _ feel well rewarded and well repaid." (Applause.) Mr Armitage said that he was looking forward to welcome the scholars from the Chatham Islands at the meeting of the Education Board to-day. He expressed thanks to the Association for their courtesv in inviting the members of the Board to attend that night's entertainment. "The Merrymakers" submitted a very bright and varied entertainment. Songs were given by Raymond Heard, Margaret Greenlees, Alice Greenlees, Gwen Ryde, Kathleen Greenlees, Hazel Shier, Valerie Tolputt, and Melba and Essie Carter; recitations were given by Edna Miles, Kathleen Reid, Colin Dunlop, Jimmy Wicks, and Daphne Forsyth; and dances were given by Rita PeterBen, Gwen Shier, and Gracie McCaw. All the performers showed great talent, and their items were warmly applauded. Most astonishing was the little mite, Kathleen Reid, four or five year 3 old, Who, in addition to reciting, sang very sweetly. The accompaniments and the music for the dances were played by Miss Warner (piano) and Mr W. Hawko (violin). At the conclusion of the entertainment light refreshments were provided, and an opportunity was given for members of the audience to meet the scholars from the Chathams.

A very delightful evening was spent by tho scholars at the residence of Mr and Mrs James Staples, Kiccarton, on Wednesday evening. 'The dining-room was beautifully decorated for the occasion in red and gold, and presented tho appearance of a perfect fairy bower. There were festoons of balloons from corner to corner. The table decorations consisted of sweet peas in shades of red and autumn leaves. The host and hostess provided every conceivable goodie and sweetie that appeals to youthful as well as the adult tastes. The supper was cooked by, and tho decorations were the work of the host and hostess's fifteen-vcar-old daughter, Elsie. Mr Wright,"of Wright and Company, cordial manufacturers, kindly forwarded an ample supply of soft drinks, and at the same timo placed the company's motor-lorries at the disposal of the Entertainment Committee any timo it was desired to take tho scholars for a trip. This morning the scholars will visit Bunting and Company's brushware factory. At noon they will attend the meeting of the Canterbury Education Board. At 2 p.m. they will visit Petersens, Ltd. Afterwards (if time permits) Maddren Brothers' rope works. In the evening they will be present at the entertainment given by Fullers' Vaudeville Company at tho Opera House.

While the party was travelling by tram a day or two ago, an elderly gentleman approached Mr Thomson and got into conversation with him regarding tho scholars. At length he asked if Mr Thomson had any objection to him talking with them, and on Mr Thomson saying that ho could do so, the elderly gentleman asked if Mr Thomson would mind interpreting for J , He waß somewhat astonished to And that the scholars spoka quite good English. He dolighted the scholars by showing them an extraordinarily fine gold watch which, in addition to telling the time, also showed the day and month, and possessed other features not generally associated with the ordinary timepiece. Chatham Islanders Pleased. Captain R. Cartncr, of the Chatham Islands steamer Kama which arrived back from NYaitangi yesterday, states that the residents there were most eager ll.fi -V\ th l children ha <l faredIhe Ghnstchurch newspapers, giving the account of the children's arrival

(Continued at foot of next column.)

t*r the WM and tho programme tor B ,i| days, were in great M islanders expressed tne»' aCC or*«l lighted with the reception ■ children- iffl