MANUTAHI.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 27 December 1928, Page 7

MANUTAHI.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SCHOOL 'CONCERT AND DANCE. All roads led to Mamitahi I-lall when the scholars of the local school held their annual concert and dance. The hall had , been very prettily decorated by the teacher and scholars, the main scheme being red upon a green background. The large and appreciative audience, were most enthusiastic in their reception of the varied and lengthy programme, and the stage deportment of the children was very fav-ourably-commented-upon. The ehildren had been trained by Miss O’Sullivan in the singing and dancing, and the demonstrations given again prove that she is a very successful teacher. The concert .was opened by .Master A. Muggcridge in an address of welcome, his enunciation »being very clear. The next item was a song by the school, many fine voices being noted- among the performers. Misses Scown and Gibbs gave a pianoforte duet in fine s tVle. the technique being clearly grasped. The following ladies contributed songs: Misses O’Sullivan. liarvie and Mrs Barclay, the items being very well received. Recitation were well rendered by Misses M. Smth, B. Smith, If. Rape’. and Masters E. Smart and C. Guile. The children were seen to advantage in- several playettes entitled “The Three Boars,..“.The Little New Year/’ “Nursery; Rhyme Tea Party,” ’ami the “Singophone” conducted by the teacher as Professor Hubert, dc Brac.v. Mrs Anderson and Miss Elliott of ITaw’era. gave classical violin solos, while Mr A. Clarke was very pleasingin a cornet solo. An item new to Manui tuiij was an exhbition of 'club swinging /bv -Miss. Evans and a lady friend of liawera. The girls delighted the audience by their performance of several dancing steps and earned a well merited recall. At the conclusion of the concert certificates and prizes were given out by the chairman. .Mr' A. B. Muggeridge, who announced that the two entrants for the proficiency examination, Masters E. Smart and It. liarvie, had been successful. Mr Muggeridge in a happy speech then congratulated Miss O’Sullivan and the teacher upon the success of the concert. He. warmly expressed I'iie admiration of the residents for her untiring efforts on behalf of the children, and took the opportunity to present her with a fountain pen from the committee as a small token of ther appreciation. Miss O’Sullivan suitably replied, stating that anything undertaken by her for the welfare of - the children'was a pleasure. A bountiful supper was then handed round, after which the Mascot orchestra. under Mr S. .Mills’ conductors]!ip, dispensed excellent music for the most crowded and enjoyable dance that has taken place in tile district for some rime. Mr A. Clarke efficiently carried out the duties of M.'C. FATHER CHRISTMAS.

On Friday last Mr and Mrs C. Barela.v organised an evening for the children. their efforts being- warmly appreciated by the wliole district. Games were in full progress when Mrs Barclay announced that Father Christmas was arriving by motor. A loud tooting verified her statement, and a wild rush was made for the hull doors, which were thing wide to admit a perspiring- old man fairly staggering under the bags of toys. ‘So exhausted was he that several of the senior boys had to divest him of his load. Many of the younger children were afraid of the kindly old man who gave a toy to every child in the hall and left other toys for any child that -had not attended the function. When he finally made his farewell all the children were very sorry to see him leave. After ice. cream and sofe drinks were handed round, games and dancing were indulged in by the children, the floor afterwards being ’occupied by the adults. About twelve o’clock tiie gathering terminated with the praises of Mr and Mrs Barclay being expressed on every hand.