SCHOOL FESTIVAL

Evening Post, Issue 86, 8 October 1936, Page 24

SCHOOL FESTIVAL

FOR HEALTH CAMP FUNDS

Held under the auspices of the "Wellington Headmasters' Association in aid of the Otald Children's Health Camp, a festival of song, dance, and character sketches was given by selected pupils from the primary schools in Wellington and the suburbs at the Town Hall last night. There was a large and appreciative audience, which was a just reward for the untiring efforts of the promoters. After the singing of New Zealand's national anthem, the audience was addressed by the Mayor (Mr. T. C. A. Hislop) who referred to the good cause for which the entertainment was arranged. "All of you," he said, "must know a little, and many of you a great deal, about the good work that is being done, and done under great difficulties, by that band of men and women who have been endeavouring to establish permanently in New Zealand health camps for children." The Otaki camp was now definitely under way, but it needed the help of every man and woman in the community to keep it going, and he was sure all those who could would respond to the cause. The festival was being held to assist this year's campaign for the camp which had been launched that afternoon.

The programme presented by the children was varied and interesting, and it reflected many weeks of intense training. Unusual confidence was shown, particularly in the one-act plays and in the dancing and the eurythmics, while splendid range and balance were maintained in the choral work. The physical exercises indicated the value of this aspect of the school curriculum. Splendid performances were given by those in the one-act plays, "Lavender Cottage" and "Meddling With Magic." The first was a delightful little sketch, ■in which the principal, who showed great aptitude, had complete command of the situation. Seldom was a slip made by any of the performers in both plays. Among the choral numbers were "Carry Me Back," "Dip the- Oar," "Pilgrim's Chorus," "Blue Danube," "On Wings of Song," "Ash. Grove," "Ariel's Song," "Cargoes," "The Water Mill," "Coronation Bells," "From the Mountain's Height, "Santa Lucia," and "Hunting the Hare." The folk dances were admirably executed. They included "If All the World Were Paper," "The Butterfly," "Gathering Peascods," and "Sellenger's Round." No individual items were given, and the result of the training for the massed work was a credit to the coaches.

The following schools are represented in the festival: —Berhampore, Hataitai, Island Bay, Johnsonville, Karori, Kelburn, Lyall Bay, Miramar Central, Mt. Cook, Newtown, Northland, Seatouri, South Wellington, Te Aro, Thorndon, and Worser Bay. The festival will be continued tonight, when a different programme will be presented.