FOR A SCHOOL PICNIC

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 36, 13 February 1939, Page 14

FOR A SCHOOL PICNIC

FETE AT PETONE WEST

Weather of "all sorts" was experienced on Saturday at the fete given by the Home and School Association of the Petone West School, but the enthusiasm of parents, friends, and children carried the day to a most successful conclusion.

In the morning sunshine stalls had been arranged out-of-doors, but in view of lowering clouds, all but the games and competitions were transferred inside. Lines of bright flags and bunting in the grounds formed a brilliant avenue leading to the official platform, where the opening ceremony was performed by the Hon. W. Nash, member for the district.

Mr. Nash commended the fine work being done by the association and school committee in conjunction with the Education Department and the Education Board in improving the school and grounds and providing amenities for the children. He referred humorously to the problem confronting the State—more houses, more children, more schools for the children —as fast as the Government built houses on one hand it had to build schools on the other, and on neither count were there sufficient carpenters to go round. In spite of this and particularly in the Hutt Valley many of the older schools had been improved and new ones built. He was especially pleased with the object of the fete to provide complete funds for a picnic, and after eulogising the association and committee for this endeavour to give the children a happy day, declared the fete open and wished it every success. Appreciation of the co-operation between educational bodies, the committees, and parents was expressed by Mr. F. C. E. Parr (chairman of the Home and School Association), and this was endorsed •by Mr. G. London (Mayor of Petone), Mr. W. V. Dyer (chairman of the Wellington Education Board), and Mr. J. C. Burns (head- ' master). Also' on the platform were Mrs. Nash (who was wearing a smart suit of heavy black crepe with white pleated vest and black hat), Mrs. Dyer (navy blue ensemble and matching hat and stone marten furs), Mrs. Burns (Picasso blue frock and "chasseur" hat), and Mrs. Parr (black hat and coat over floral frock). Bouquets were presented to the ladies by Shirley

Jarvis. , One of the features of the fete was the playing of the Petone Municipal Band, which made its first appearance, and contributed an excellent programme.

Those ■in charge of the stalls and other attractions were; —Produce, Mesdames G. Laird and J. Knowles; cakes, Mesdames M. Yates and J. Mac Murray; ice creams and drinks, Mesdames S. Townsend, W. Saunders, and Miss Betty Fraser; afternoon tea, Mesdames D. Battock, N. Fleet, and M. Hill, Misses M. Mac Murray, D. Wilton, and E. Price;' darts, Messrs. C. Townsend and W. Yates; chocolate wheel, Mr. A. Fraser; penny-squares, Mr. S. Townsend; turn-table, Mr. J. Knowles; escalado, Messrs. C. and N. Townsend; competitions, Mrs. Laurie 'and Mr. G. Laird.