PRIMARY SCHOOLS SPORTS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 18 December 1926, Page 6

PRIMARY SCHOOLS SPORTS.

PRESENTATION OF TROPHIES,

AT ELTHAM AND MATAPU

The closing ceremonies in connection with the sports meeting of the primary schools of South Taranaki took place yesterday afternoon, when the Dixon Banner was presented to the Eltham School and the Bennett and Sutton Cun to the Matapu School.

A party of people connected with the organisation of the meeting motored up from. Hawera. It consisted of Messrs E. Dixon (patron of the sports committee and donor of the banner), B. C. Bennett (donor of the cup), M. F. Purser (president of the committee), A. K. Fyson (secretary), P. Bond and J. W. Harding (members of the committee), and Mesdames B. C. Bennett and M. F. Purser. ELTH’AM.

The visitors were much impressed upon entering the school ground at Eltham to see the splendid work done in the preparation of playing fields and the beauty of the memorial gates. There were present his Worship the Mayor (Mr I. J. Bridget-), the Rev. W. W. Avery and Mr R. Kemp (school commit tee), the delegation from Hawera, and a number of ELbliam resicLen-ts. The headmaster (Mr E. Bary) was engaged in superintending athletic exercises when the, visitors arrived with the Dixon Banner. The children were called together and the presentation ceremony was put under way. The Rev. W. W. Avery made appreciative reference to the visit of the delegation from Hawera, and called upon Mr Purser to address the gathering. Mr Purser said the Eltham school had covered itself with glory at the sports, and on behalf of the committee he congratulated the team upon its splendid win. The competitions had ‘now been conducted for seven years. In all that time there had been no protest or discord. That spoke volumes for the spirit of sportsmanship in which the meetings were conducted by teachers and competitors alike. Mr Purser then called upon Mr Dixon to present the banner. _ In a preliminary address, Mr Dixon said those interested in the school sports were indebted to the committee in Hawera. which for several years had so ably conducted the school snorts. Mr Fyson. who had replaced Mr Campbell ns secretary during the latter’s visit to England, had fulfilled the duties exceptionally well. The speaker said be would like to see the fathers and mothers of the competitors taking a closer interest in the competitions. In commenting upon the school motto. “Learn by Doing; Knowledge is Power.” Mr Dixon stressed the benefit derived from a cultivation of the sporting spirit and unselfishness. Sport was a healthy counteraction to too deep a pursuit of study. The banner would now contain no further names. The speaker, however, was considering the presentation of a banner, cup, or shield to take the place of the present trophy. Mr Dixon then presented the banner to Mr Bary, who accepted it on behalf of the school.

The children gave three cheers for the committee. a Mr Purser stated that the committee this year had introduced an innovation hv giving certificates to those securing places. He then distributed certificates to the Eltham winners.

Afr Bridger said he noticed how small the boys were who had received the certificates. It was evident that they had had to compete against mirt bigger boys. His Worship offered congratulations to the teachers for the manner in which they had prepared their charges. v Three cheers were given for Air Dixon.

Air Harding, speaking on behalf of the Hawera- School, which had won the banner three times, said bis committee was glad to see the banner go round. He congratulated the school upon its fine budding and grounds. Air Barv thanked the staff and the committee for the support they bad given him. AIATAPU. From Eltham the party proceeded to Matapu to present the Bennett and Sutton- Cup. They were received at the school by Mr AV, T. Seed (committeeman) and AY. R. Adams (headmaster). There were also present residents of the locality. The headmaster introduced the visitors to his pupils. Air Seed, on behalf of the School Committee, invited Air Purser to present the cup. Air Purser said it was a great pleasure to present the Bennett and Sutton Cup a second time to the Ma-tapu School. He urged the scholars to put forward further efforts in order to win the cup a third time, after which it would become the property of the school.

ADs Bennett then presented the cup to Air Adams, who received it on behalf of his scholars. Airs Bennett then addressed the scholars. She said she felt very great pleasure indeed at being in the school on a second occasion of the same nature. Tt was proof that the school had practised hard. The speaker recommended all games to the pupils in order that they might keep their bodies healthy. She urged those whose efforts had contributed to the school’s success to pursue their sports after they left it. Games were essential to happiness, which was the greatest thing in the world. Airs Bennett wished the children n haony Christmas and a prosperous New Year. Messrs F,. Dixon and J. W. Harding addressed the scholars and the proceedings terminated.