HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 142, 13 December 1939, Page 6

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

CHRISTMAS PARTIES

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

"It never rains but it pours" might well be applied to more things than the weather in the Hutt Valley just now, for with the approach of Christmas each weekend brings a larger quota of school fetes, break-up parties, Christmas sales of work, and the dozen and one functions marking the end of a year's activities. The children's world was well represented last Saturday with a Christmas break-up party at the Lower Hutt Free Kindergarten, a fancy dress party at Gracefield school, a party for nearly 200 children given by the Bel'levue Lodge, and the annual picnic held by the Hutt Valley Returned Soldiers' Association at Hutt Park. A colour scheme of silver, scarlet, and green gave a real Christmas air io the Community Hall at Moera, where the kindergarten party took place.

Under the supervision of the principal and her assistants, Misses V. Aidred and K. Wall, the children took' the floor and entertained the onlookers with a delightful programme of nursery games and songs. Following this came the event of the afternoon —presents! Little gifts patiently constructed through the year were presented to appreciative mothers and fathers and a special presentation from the committee was made to Mrs. A. Hall, a former assistant of the kindergarten who for many years had. rendered invaluable service to the association. Mrs. Atkins also referred to the fine work and wide influence of Miss Netta Riley, the founder of the kindergarten, whose name, she said, would alwr. s be linked with it. For the children the climax of the afternoon came with the unveiling of the glittering Christmas tree, and within the twinkling of an eye, it seemed, the floor was strewn with gay wrappings and the air was filled with excited cries, "Look what I've ""got!" No less exciting was the subsequent party tea or the lovely pink and silver Christmas cake. The single solo item was a beautiful rendering of the hymn, "Holy Night," sung by Mrs. A. Jones. Mrs. W. Burns was the accompanist.

Fancy Dress Party. The first children's party to be held at the new Gracefield School was a most successful function attended by a happy crowd of young people, parents, and friends. Musical rounds and games of every description made up the major part of the programme and tap dances by Jean . Mackley, ballet numbers by Valeric Coker, and songs by Valeric. Keenan also contributed to the enjoyment of the afternoon. The parade of fancy costumes was judged by Mrs. W. V. Dyer, wife of the chairman of the ' Wellington Education Board, and Mrs. J. W. Andrews, Mayoress of Lower Hutt, prizes being awarded to over twenty of the keen young competitors.

Mrs. Dyer and Mrs. Andrews both received charming bouquets of flowers. The guests of honour also included Mrs. H. Hamblyn, Mr. J. McDonald, and Mr. J. C. Brown, headmaster of the school. Afternoon tea was served in one of the classrooms.

Lodge Members as Hosts. The party given by the Bellevue Lodge 126, 1.0.0. F., was held in the R.S.A. clubrooms at Lower Hutt by the social committee of the lodge. Games, competitions; and the - eveib-pbpular antics of "Charlie the Clown" made a merry party, the committee members and many visitors entering wholeheartedly into the fun and assisting with the special "party tea" and with the' high light of the afternoon, the twinkling, tinsel-hung Christmas tree, which carried a gift for every child. Sweets and ice-creams were also distributed and at the conclusion of the party every little guest left carrying a brilliant-hued balloon as the souvenir of a happy afternoon.