BROADFIELDS SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 102, 28 September 1874, Page 3

BROADFIELDS SCHOOL.

Broadfields presented an unusual lively appearance on Friday evening last, it being the annual tea meeting and entertainment in connection with the school, the proceeds being devoted towards supplementing the money given by the Board of Education for prizes for scholars attending Broadfields School. The object itself was a praiseworthy one, and this, coupled with bidding Mr Comerford, the schoolmaster, adieu—he having accepted the appointment of master at Prebbleton — brought together an unusual concourse of people for Broadfields. The tea meeting took place at 5 p.m., tables being provided by Mesdames Early and Paterson, Mrs Boyd presiding over a double table given by the bachelors. Several relays of the good things had to be provided, owmg to the number attending. After tea the tables were removed, and the entertainment took place, a temporary platform being erected to act as a stage for the performers. Mr Tossvvill, in taking the chair, said he had been asked by Mr Wm Craighead, chairman of the School Committee, to do so, and he had much pleasure in complying with the request. In his address, he mentioned that the last report of t lie school was a a very fair one, imbed much superior to any of its predecessors. In I lie attendance he noticed they were somewhat irregular, which the inspector accounted for to a certain extent by it being the winter months. It should "be very pleasing to VI r Comerford to leave the school in a better stale than he found it. His removil to Prebbleton ho looked upon as a promotion, and he could not sec why school must m s as well as any other body of men should not try and premote themselves to higher schools whenever they had the chance. However, he hoped they would be as successful in getting as good a master as Mr Comerford had been. [Applause.] He would now call on Mr Comerford for a song. Mr Comerford then sang '* Pulling hard against the stream.” Mr Morgan next gave a reading. “ How Mr Straggles enjoyed his whitebait at Greenwich,” concluding amidst applause. The next, was a chorus, “ Men of Harlech.” by the Misses Prebblc, Comerford, and others.

Miss Atkin next gave a song. The Chairman said the next on the programme was Mr Phillips, but that gentleman not having arrived, he would do his best to supply his place : but not having had any notion of being called upon for a reading, they must bear with him. He gave a reading, “The Will of St. Keene,” which was very justly applauded. He then called upon Miss Lairds, of Christchurch. Miss Lairds then sang the duet, “ Hail, Smiling Morn,” which was the gem of the evening, and rapturously encored, which was responded to by a repetition of the same piece.

The Chairman then called on Mr Wm. Craighead to distribute the prizes, which

that gentleman in a few remarks did as follows:

Ist Class—lst prize, William Paterson ; 2nd prize, Henry Grant. 2nd Class—lst prize, Arthur Dealden ; 2nd prize. William Templeton ; 3rd prize, Ellen Harrison ; 4th prize, William Grant. 3rd Class—lst prize, William Dennison ; 2nd prize, Ellen Ward ; 3rd prize, John Jackson ; 4th prize, Charles Thompson. 4th Class —Ist prize, Joseph Scarlet ; 2nd prize, Annie Robinson. sth Class—lst prize, Mary Dennison ; 2nd prize, William Harden ; 3rd prize, Harry Cumberford.

A prize given by Mr Comerford for sewing was awarded to Grace Paterson. Mr J. N. Tosswill intimated his intention of giving a prize next year for regular attendance.

Miss Aiken then sang--“We had better bide a wee,” which was justly applauded. Mr Newell Phillips having arrived next gave a reading, “ Bob Sawyer’s Party,” which was well read and enjoyed by the audience. Mr Comerford followed with a song, “Jenny with the light brown hair,” which was much applauded. The following items were then gone through—Song, Miss Lairds, “ Jessie’s Dream”; reading, Mr Morgan, “Straggles going shooting”; song, Mr Comerford, “Bother the Flies,” encored; response, “ Although I’m seventy-two.” A vote of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen contributing to the programme was carried by acclamation, and the entertainment concluded by singing the National Anthem.