RIVERLEA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 24 December 1924, Page 8

RIVERLEA.

(From Our Own Correspondent). SCHOOL CONCERT: ' The annual presentation of prizes ana breakmg-iqr ceremony in connection with the local school took place on Friday evening, wiien, in spite of the very atrocious weatner prevailing, there was a. very good attendance. Everything passed off very well.indeed. The Cantata “Soot and the Fairies,” by the senior pupils, was very well carried c«ut, ana the different parts were well played. Olive Webby, as Queen of the Fairies, looked very nice, and did her part well, whilst Ronnie Shepherd as “Captain Soot,” was very amusing. The. other parts, vizi, court physician. John Hey; physician’s secretary, Jim Garbisj Baron Hairbrush, Bob McLeod; queen’s secretary, Bertie Uorgan; Lady Soapsuds, Marnie Webby; Lord Bootlace, Newton Hudson; Wag, _ Don McLeod, were also well carried out, whilst the tussling and “scrapping” amongst the soot crowd brought down the house. Auother very pleasing act was that by the infants entitled “The Three Bears,” in which Fhyliss ltothe as “Goldilocks” acted with, really wonderful, ability, considering she is. only just seven years or age. The parts of the bears, taken ■by Raymond Sanson (“Father Bear”). Myrtle- Sanson (‘‘Mother Bear”), and Mavis Sadler (“Baby Bear”) were also well carried out,-and Mavis’s grid! at the wreck' of heV stool and loss of her soup was very realistic. Elsie Webby was good in her recitation with Teddybear, entitled “My Teddy,” and Edie Hey recited “The New Marseillaise” with good effect. Two other items by the pupils: were the opening chorus, “The Sea is Britain’s Glory,” and,' by the infants, “Lullaby Land,”, both of which were very pleasingly rendered. Altogether the programme reflected great credit upon the ’ children, and upon theii; teachers for the way they had;trained them. Besides the children’s items, Ml Loftus was heard to advantage in his song- “Take a-Pair of Sparkling Eyes,” and as an encore “Sally Horner.” Miss Hudson also sang very nicely, and was also recalled for ail encore. After the concert the chairman of the committee, Mr B. L. Webby, presented the prizes, each child receiving a very nice book. In addressing the gathering prior to. the distribution of the prizes, Mr Webby expressed pleasure at the- large attendance despite the very inclement weather. He desired to congratulate ' the teachers and .pupils oii the concert for the evening, and also on the school work -for the past’ year, which, as shown by the • inspector’s report, was just about as good as it could possibly , be, and in fact was, he thought; , the best report ever received by the local school. As they all knew, the- school-’, had, during the past year, been renovated and remodelled. and; was libjv as good «is any school in its class in the country. The committee had been,endeavouring to get this, done for .year’s- past; and he knew- that-both- teachers- and pupils appreciatedl the improvement. He; hoped that at- the next: annual householders’ meeting there would be a. good attendance of householders, who would then see the gteat- difference there .was. Mr Webby then, proceeded to give out the prizes -.and.'; gcfbd conduct certificates presented by the, prefects’ council, Afterwards he called on Elsie Webby, and Mavis Sadler, on behalf of the juniors, to make a presentation to Miss Brooker, the assistant teacher, of a Christmas present from her pupils, and upon Edie Hey and Ida Sanson to present Mr Mills, the headmaster, with a present also. Mr Mills, in responding on behalf of himself and Miss Brooker, thanked the pupils for their very nice presents, and assured t-hetu;: that whenever he - used- them he would always- think of that evening. He also desired to thank the chairman for his very kindly remarks towards himself and Miss Brooker, and in doing so desired to expresso liis own thanks towards the local school comhiittee, which he had always found willing and ready to assist* in every way anything uvhich was for : the good of > the school and the children. He know that in some places teachers and committees did not pull too- well together, but he was pleased, to say- that he had. always had; the loyal : support of the committee ever since he had been in Riverlea. The chairman then thanked, all those who assisted to make- the evening such a, success, -and the children adjourned to the supper-room, where the tables were loaded, with good things provided by the ladies of the district, to which the youngsters did full and ample justice. In the meantime the hall was cleared for dancing, and later the grown-ups, took their turn at the tables whilst the children danced. Dancing was continued till nearly 2 o’clock, when the gathering dispersed. The music for the dance; was played by Mrs. Efvans and Mr. O’Neill played some extras. Accompaniments for the children’s songs were played by Miss Brooker, and for, Mr.. Loftus anil Miss Hridsou by Mbs, Evans and Miss Guy. Mr. A. E. Sadler carried out the duties of' M;0. in liis usual excellent- manner, and the ladies of the committee, as usual, managed the supper-to, perfection. , The.members: of the school eonvmitte desire, to express thanks, to all' who assisted in any way to. make the evening the very greats success -it undoubtedly was.

PERSONAL. Local residents will be pleased to hear that Walter □'’Neill is doing well at New Plymouth High School and gained first prize' in history and geography in Form 3E. / am informed that a very good report indeed has been received by his parents as to his progress at the school. By some error 'Walter’s name appeared in the press as 'beings of Opunake instead of Riverlea, and 1 afir requested to correct thi s. THE: WEATHER. SAY NOTHING. CHRISTMAS GREETINGS. This will be my last contribution, to the Star before Christmas, and probably till after the New Year, so T desire to express my sincere good wishes to the proprietors, manager, editor and staff generally oh the Star, and also to whomsoever it may interest to occasionally read my notes. ,1, and all local correspondents, T think, try to, as much as possible assist oiir districts and the readers of the Star in general by letting each know what the other’s district is doing, and if at times some of us get- a.- bit longwinded and trespass too much on the editor’s space, well, somehow he puts up with us, even’ with such a sinner as I, who sometimes, when my pen bolts, must, T: know, cause him to wish me in Timbuetoo or even a warmer climate. To you all my friends I wish a. merry Christmas am! a- very happy and prosperous' New Year.

[The greetings of our correspondent are cordially reciprocated by the proprietors and sta-ff.]